Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregg Diamant.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gregg. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My father was a director and my mother an actress–consequently I was unable to escape the gene pool urge to entertain!
Living in Japan as a self-supporting missionary, I began doing magic shows and voice-overs to help feed our growing family. After 20 years in Asia we were quite comfortable. We had our ministry, a good income–life was great. But an unexplained restlessness consumed my wife and I until we were desperate enough to consider a move.
Independently, we both received the same answer– that we were to relocate to Africa! Wow! But how?!!! We had minimal savings and a large family! While twisting balloon animals in China-town (yes, Japan has a China-town) a senior manager from Sanrio approached and invited me to twist at the world famous “Hello Kitty Land” near Tokyo for the summer! This was to be the first outside vendor ever allowed into the hallowed halls of this theme park. I won’t divulge how much we made in those 6 weeks, but it was enough to buy and ship a jeep, ship a 20 ft. container of belongings, buy 8 airline tickets to Uganda, pay our first year of rent (in a beautiful property) and still have enough left for our first couple of months expenses while we tried to discover how we were going to support ourselves.
By the end of our 5 years in East Africa we were going strong as missionaries and video producers. We didn’t need the magic show for support, but still incorporated it as part of our outreach. But then, I guess we were getting too comfortable, so it was off to Mexico where my video production expertise meant “nada”. For support, I began making monthly border trips to Laredo & McAllen to twist balloons and very occasionally book the magic show. That’s how we got to know Texas, and so when we decided to move back to the USA after over 30 years abroad, Texas was the place!
We have now been in the North Dallas area for about 7 years and in that time the magic show has taken off phenomenally. It was rough at first, but is now one of the most booked children’s magic shows in the USA!
Has it been a smooth road?
Landing in Frisco, having lived the last 30 years abroad, we barely qualified to rent an apartment. We still had 3 of our kids living with us and although we had no debt, we had no real savings either. My wife began working at a Daycare and I explored both video production and booking the magic show, but instead had to settle for twisting balloons.
After a year, slowly, yet consistently, the show got better and people were telling their friends. Eventually I had to raise my prices just to keep up with the demand. Things were rough at first, but sticking with it definitely paid off, and now I am swamped with shows! We have been able to give back by supporting aid projects in Cambodia, Africa and Mexico.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We have a team of excellent balloon twisters, face painters, a caricature artist and of course the Magic Show! And we have just added our second magician—Mart the Magician! It is a family business and we are known for being excellent with kids, outgoing and friendly. When doing balloons & face painting at events it is also all-important to keep the line moving, which our artists have absolutely perfected.
In the diverse environment that now makes up Dallas, another thing that sets us apart, is being able to relate to many different cultures. People on our immediate and extended team speak Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French & Portuguese.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Dallas affords an excellent opportunity to people in the party and entertainment business. The economy here is strong and vibrant which is a requisite for a “non-essential” industry such as ours.
Pricing:
- School & Library Magic Show: $200-$300
- Private Party Magic Show: $185-$240
- Balloon Twisting: $120 first hour/ $100 for each additional hour
- Face Painting: $110 first hour/ $95 for each additional hour
- Caricature Artist: $300 for 2 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greggsmagic.com
- Phone: 469-422-7268
- Email: gregg@greggsmagic.com
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_uzDxmaFccz1-TzfKqZT8Q
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
