138: Dean Hankey - The "Dean" of Success

While recently in the Reno, Nevada area, I visited with Dean Hankey, the "Dean" of Success. We were able to catch up at the Reno/Tahoe Airport before my departure back to Houston. Although our time was short, we covered a lot of territory. In particular, Dean gave me a couple tips that I will immediately incorporate into my marketing efforts.

Dean is a pro who has done it all from the casino showroom spectaculars to the corporate board rooms over the past 40 years. And due to his extensive performing background, he can speak from those experiences, He can offer great, practical, "real world" advice. He leverages his money making marketing insights from the magic and entertainment industries to give inside tips services and strategies for optimal successful results. He also suggests incorporating free online tools that you can use in communicating with your clients and potential customers. He also discusses how to talk with a new client and what questions to ask to give them what they need rather than what they think they want. Basically, how to sell the experience rather than a product.

You can learn more about Dean and/or receive some Powerful Successful Solutions by visiting his website at: http://TheDeanOfSuccess.com or email him at: Results@DeanHankey.com for any specific questions. You can find him on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/TheDeanOfSuccess

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Magic & Martinis' Thursday

Great little restaurant in Lake Tahoe with wonderful breakfast (corn beef hash plus biscuits & gravy) plus some pretty spectacular martinis, too!. What more could you want, morning or night?

137: Alex Ramon - Man in Motion Part Two

In this second and final part of our two hour chat, Alex Ramon talks about finding the opportunity to perform his full evening show in a casino in South Lake Tahoe, "Illusion Fusion." The show has played to rave reviews at the Horizon Casino Resort in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. He also discusses his unique philosophy on magic and magicians. He imparts some good advice to young magicians, too.

For more information on Alex Ramon and where you can see him perform, check out his website at http://AlexRamon.com And you can follow him on Instagram at @AlexRamon or his Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/AlexRamonMagic

Magic & Martini's Thursday

136: Alex Ramon - Man in Motion Part One

Even though he is only in his twenties, Alex Ramon has accomplished much more than many magicians who are three times his age. How does he do it? He is true to himself, honest, hard working and original. He lives by the Steve Martin quote, "Be so good they can't ignore you."

Alex Ramon continues to find new opportunities, or is it that opportunities continue to find him? Whatever it is, he can't seem to stay in one place for too long before he moves on to something even more amazing in his magical career. For the past two years he has held forth at the Horizon Casino in South Lake Tahoe. But the road to success didn't happen overnight, nor is the journey over.

At age 18 Alex Ramon received the coveted Lance Burton Award and was named "National Stage Magic Champion" by the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. In 2005, he auditioned for Disney LIVE!® presents “Mickey’s Magic Show”, and won a spot as a professional illusionist alongside Master Magician Mickey Mouse. Alex traveled the globe with the world’s most famous mouse for two and a half years, seeing 14 countries, four continents, 658 shows and entertained more than a million people.

Alex’s talent and dedication put him top of mind when producers Kenneth Feld and Nicole Feld imagined a magical circus.With over a decade of magic experience, Alex brought an unexpected twist to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents Zing Zang Zoom. At age 23 Alex became the first magician and the second youngest Ringmaster in the 139-year history of The Greatest Show on Earth®. Starring as the Magical “Zingmaster” (Ringmaster), During his two-yea with the circus tour Alex Ramon crisscrossed America performing in the largest arenas in the world, such as Madison Square Garden and The Staples Center, and brought smiles and wonder to people 10,000 at a time.

He’s been seen on national and international television, has made elephants disappear, magically transformed men into tigers, as well as made Whoopi Goldberg levitate.

In this podcast, Alex talks about his life and how he came to where he is today. He has a rather amazing story that should serve as an inspiration to many of us. He relates a story from the road (well...literally, the circus train) that he has never shared before now. He also has some rather unorthodox viewpoints towards magic and magicians. He uses the social media to promote himself and doesn't use paid advertising but basically uses word-of-mouth to get the word out about his shows. He has always stayed true to himself which has paid off.

This is one of the most amazing podcasts I have produced. It is fun, full of interesting stories and chock full of great advice. I was torn whether or not to break up this two hour chat and finally decided that there is too much information to digest in one sitting. So this is Part One of a two part interview. This first part tells you about the man and his early life and how he found success or rather, it found him. The next podcast will include his philosophy on magic, some advice and more great stories.