Tom,
There are no shortcuts to a career in magic, but
as someone who makes his living performing magic,

What are some things that you would have done as a
youngster, to decrease the time it took you to get to
where you are now?

Wow, you stumped me! Good question.

Not sure what I would have done different to expidite the process. I had great mentors who instilled in me at an early age what it was all about. This might sound stupid, but have an act. Figure out who you are as a person and a magician and build on that. It's easy to throw a bunch of tricks together and go perform. It's much harder to develop an act over years, combining your personality and your technique and make a living.

There is no easy road in show business. It's always been about dedication, persistance, talent and an undying desire not to work a real job. At least for me. . .

Thanks for you answer bud.

Since you answered, I'll give you mine
and it's one, that most of the elders
figured out long ago.

"Pack small, but play big!"

If someone had told me to find effects that pack
small but play big, I could have saved a fortune
and also saved on fuel and equipment costs, not to
mention the warehouse storage fees of all of my now
high priced furniture, because that's what it becomes
when not in use for a presentation.

A cold glass of soda pop looks great on a "Windshear".
Talk about a great conversation piece, but it doesn't
pay the bills when not in use.

"No, everyone wants to be the next David Copperfield."
I thought I did, until the ladies started fighting
over me back stage(tongue firmly in cheek).

Just read Copperfield is worth $800 million.