The Business Secrets of a World-Class Illusionist

29/03/2025 45 min
The Business Secrets of a World-Class Illusionist

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Episode Synopsis

What does it take to become one of the world’s greatest illusionists? Rob Lake has performed in over 60 countries, created magic for Broadway and television, and even built a multi-million dollar entertainment business—one illusion at a time.In this unforgettable episode, Rob reveals the hidden world behind the curtain: from building illusions in his garage as a kid to creating full-scale productions with a 20-person touring crew. He shares the brutal realities of the entertainment industry, the pressure to reinvent constantly, and how he turned passion into profit—without ever taking on investors.Timestamps0:00 – Intro: The business behind the illusion1:00 – Why Dubai is the Vegas of the Middle East3:00 – Building magic from cardboard boxes to global tours6:00 – The hidden psychology of illusions10:00 – Why most magicians never make it14:00 – From performing at birthday parties to theme parks in Japan18:00 – Creating illusions that take decades to perfect23:00 – What reality TV didn’t show you26:00 – The myth of the “one big break”29:00 – Behind the scenes: 20-person teams, warehouses & global shipping32:00 – When do you retire a trick?34:00 – Vegas, $50 million theatres & PR hype36:00 – What it takes to stay relevant for decades38:00 – Rob’s biggest mistakes (and what he learned)40:00 – Mentorship, legacy & what’s next for Rob Lake____________________________________________________________________________________________========================Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur. I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win. On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business. Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make. 📩 Get Matt’s free business newsletter for weekly strategies, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes lessons → https://nobollockswithmatthaycox.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/ ▶ YouTube – No Bollocks Podcast - YouTube ▶ LinkedIn – https://www.li...

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