Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Hofkins.
Hi Doug, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been performing magic since I was about 10 and surfing since I was about 10 I was born and raised in Santa Cruz my dad lived in San Jose whenever I go visit him there was a magic shop in Fremont called the Magic touch. He would take me there and I would get a new trick instructional DVD a magic book and I got hooked. I loved the comedy aspect of Magic.. as a teenager I would practice as many hours it took to perfect a Magic effect. My goal was to learn a trick a week I did that for many years.. I graduated from Aptos high out of high school. I became an Auto Mechanic. I was a I graduated from Aptos high out of high school. I became a Auto Mechanic. I was an Auto Mechanic for six years at Stevens Creek Volkswagen Porsche Audi. I always kept Magic on the side. Then I got into Security where I worked at the city of Monterey, the defense language Institute that job sent me to New Orleans a month after hurricane Katrina. I work Security at a relief camp. I ended up doing Magic shows for the firefighters, the police and all the engineers and volunteers at a relief camp in Louisiana.. eventually I was able to branch off and be a professional Magician. I moved to Los Angeles and worked at a place in Santa Monica on fourth Street called Magic Opolis. It was 150 seat a Magic bar and a magic shop. I managed Magic Opolis for over two years. I was an understudy of some master magicians and it bring my magic game to the next level.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely the time when I had to branch off from having a 9 to 5 job to be becoming an entrepreneur and learning how to live within my means on all aspects. After the leap and with lots of trial and error. I’ve built lots of tools and with this lots of character. So as a business owner, I guess the obstacles and challenges is to take everything in your own hands and learn everything yourself. Sometimes it’s a lot more work, but in the end, you’re better for it
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like performing all categories of magic from coins, cards, ropes, fruit, live animals ect. I have a 1 hour magic show with lots of comedy and audience participation. I also magically cause my rabbit 🐰 to appear from thin air. I have an amazing trick where my hands are empty, then I pick up a glass of water. Then I reach out into the air and produce gold fish from the air, then drop them into the glass as they swim around. I would consider myself a comedic Magician I really enjoy making people laugh and seeing their reactions from the magic.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I’ve always felt like everyone loves Magic from ages 1 to 101. Magic is an amazing form of entertainment. I feel like the magic industry has always been on the up and up. Magic tricks are always changing and ever evolving. There are tricks now with technology. I can’t reveal too many secrets. Ha ha. David Copperfield finished his 25 year run at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas back in April. He’s retired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Santacruzmagicshop.com
- Instagram: Surfingmagician
- Facebook: Doug Hofkins/surfing magician
- Youtube: Surfing magician
- Yelp: Surfing magician
