Meet Ian Tan: The Master of Magic And Money

Meet Ian Tan, a dynamic professional who seamlessly blends the art of magic with humour. As an accomplished magician, Ian captivates audiences with his skillful performances, bringing wonder and amazement to every stage.

Beyond the spotlight, he excels as a financial advisor, helping clients navigate their financial futures with strategic foresight and careful planning. His unique combination of creativity and analytical thinking allows him to craft magical experiences while empowering others to achieve their financial goals.

What inspired you to pursue magic as a career and eventually become a professional performer?

I never actively tried to pursue magic as a career initially. A lot of it happened incidentally. Back then, there were three magic shops around my school. During that time, Taiwanese magician, Liu Qian, was very famous, and I watched his videos weekly. Eventually, I started buying from those magic shops and found a mentor, which kickstarted my magic journey.

As for becoming a professional performer, it was incidental. I was young and wanted money to buy more magic props, so I thought, why not monetise the props I already had by performing for others?

What was your experience like competing in the Singapore’s Association of Magicians Close-Up Magic competition?

That was when I was around 17 years old, so it was a long time ago. I wasn’t a professional performer yet, but it set the stage for me to pursue more in magic. It was one of the first competitions I participated in. A friend helped me script the entire show from start to finish, and it was my first serious attempt at putting something together.

How did consulting for Asia’s Got Talent and China’s Got Talent come about, and what was the experience like?

That was fun. I have a friend specialising in digital illusions who was invited to various TV shows worldwide. We traveled together and worked behind the scenes. It was exciting because it was the first time we came together to create something unique.

In magic, as in life, we stand on the shoulders of giants, studying past works and collaborating to build something new. The experience was special because it wasn’t just me; it was a team effort from people with different backgrounds, coming together to create something truly different.

What challenges did you face when transitioning from performing magic as a passion to running it as a business?

The main challenge is the mindset shift. When you perform magic for fun, it’s all about what you like. But when performing professionally, it’s no longer about you—it’s about fulfilling a function for your client. Whether it’s entertainment, delivering a brand message, attracting foot traffic, or enhancing customer relationships, your focus shifts to achieving specific goals.

Initially, my approach was haphazard, and there were many missed opportunities. Magic props are expensive, and I had to take on part-time jobs to afford them, adding to the challenge of transitioning from passion to profession.

What makes your magic show different from other magicians in Singapore?

I focus heavily on family and children’s entertainment. My shows are typically hired for carnival-style, family, or children’s events. Many young magicians want to appear cool and perform skillful magic on stage, but my style is very interactive and silly—almost cartoonish.

My KPI is to ensure there’s constant laughter, applause, or amazement from start to finish. This highly interactive and humorous approach makes my shows distinct from most young magicians in Singapore.

Magic is only part of the equation; it’s about delivering value tailored to your client’s needs.

How do you stay relevant and creative in an industry where audience expectations are always changing?

A friend once told me, “Creativity is undetected plagiarism,” and I agree. In mathematics, for instance, when someone proves a theorem, it often builds on previous ideas. Similarly, in magic, most new tricks are evolutions of existing ones. It’s easier to improve on what’s already there than to create something entirely new from scratch.

I often combine different tricks or concepts to create something fresh. One of my current favourite tricks is a blend of two different routines, which gives it a new and refreshing take. Creativity is about continuous improvement and combining existing ideas in novel ways. This principle applies not just to magic but also to my financial advisory business as well.

What advice would you give to aspiring magicians who want to turn their passion into a sustainable business?

First, your magic must be good—technically competent. However, technical skill alone isn’t enough. You need to shift your mindset: as a professional, you’re there to entertain the audience, not yourself. Focus on what provides value to the audience, whether that’s entertainment, interaction, or helping a client achieve their goals.

Additionally, understand the specific market you’re performing in. For corporate clients, focus on brand messaging and client acquisition. For family events, ensure kids and parents have a memorable experience. Magic is only part of the equation; it’s about delivering value tailored to your client’s needs.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself on stage?

It depends on the type of show. For family and children’s shows, I’d rate myself a 7 or 8. For other types of shows, it might not be as high.

You mentioned you’re into financial advisory. Can you share more about your work in this field?

As a financial planner, I help clients achieve clarity in their financial goals, whether it’s getting married, buying a house, or planning for retirement. Life events come with a price tag, and I help clients navigate their financial timelines efficiently and manage potential risks.

My role involves two key areas: insurance and investment. On the insurance side, I focus on risk management to protect clients’ plans from unexpected setbacks. On the investment side, I help clients grow their wealth to reach their goals faster.

I also provide strategic guidance, whether clients want to invest independently or with my support. My ultimate goal is to empower clients with a clear plan and a solid strategy to achieve their financial aspirations.

Can you summarise the most important lesson you’ve learned from your experiences as both a magician and a financial planner, particularly regarding planning ahead and achieving your goals?

Nobody plans to fail; we only fail to plan. As a magician, I didn’t chart my career path early on, leading to missed opportunities that slowed my progress. Planning ahead could have accelerated my success.

Similarly, in financial planning, most problems arise because people didn’t prepare 5 or 10 years in advance. To plan effectively, finding a mentor is crucial. A mentor with experience can guide you, help you avoid mistakes, and amplify the right actions, allowing you to reach your goals faster and more efficiently.

Connect with Ian: truevinekidsmagic.com.