We were lucky to catch up with Will Baffle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Will, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Making a living from my creative work is always a challenge. It is often times a feast or famine reality. I always have to look approximately, 3 to 6 months ahead to see what events will be coming up to market too, that way I can try and have consistent work.

Being self employed isn’t as easy as most people think. You have to push yourself everyday to “go to work” as it is very tempting to just sit around all day watching T.V. A mentor told me once that in this business you have to be very proactive and not reactive. Proactive means you aren’t just waiting for people to discover you but you are constantly sending mailings out to potential clients and reaching out to fill a need for people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a magician and illusionist and a problem solver. I help people and groups with unique problems to look outside of the box for a unique solutions.

I got started over 30 years ago after watching someone perform some close up magic with a coin and the “magic bug” as they say bit and bit hard. I would watch television specials of David Copperfield every year and always wanted to perform the large scale illusions. I went on tour for 7 years starting in 2002. I would perform for schools that wanted educational or motivational programs. It was a fantastic experience, I got to see parts of the country that I would have never gotten to see otherwise.

I am extremely happy to be able to put a smile on the faces of my audiences. I love to talk with folks after the show to hear what they liked and what their favorite moment was. I remember performing in a children’s hospital and there was one 7 year old young man that was just a bundle of energy. He couldn’t wait to see me get up and perform and was very excited when his mother asked to have a picture of him with me.

I offer a wide array of services to clients. For schools, I offer academic and motivational programs that meet and exceed state standards. Also, I offer magic shows for everything from birthday parties to festivals to corporate events. The programs are all family friendly with no blue humor. I offer either one manned stage shows or I offer a large evening illusion show that can last from 60-90 minutes.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Meeting people!

I love getting to chat with people to hear their stories and adventures! Also, I love to bring a room full of people into my world and let them experience for that time a moment of magic!

The late Victor Borge would say in his one manned near the end: “Everything comes to a end, you would believe it would you? But this is what we had to offer, some laughs and smiles, coughs and hiccups. Then once in a while a handkerchief would come out to wipe a tear from laughter, that is my reward…the rest goes to the government!”

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To bring people together and experience a bit of wonder and amazement.

Contact Info:

• Website: willbaffle.com & smartkidshow.com
• Instagram: willbaffle
• Facebook: Will Baffle
• Youtube: Will Baffle Magic

Image Credits
Aaron Stone Michael Blackheart Ron Wilson