Beyond the Smoke & Mirrors: How One Magician Transformed His Business During the Pandemic

Kostya Kimlat's life was upended by the pandemic, but accepting change and embracing digital tools allowed him to pivot and succeed with virtual magic shows, inspired by a quote from General Stanley McChrystal.

The global pandemic ushered in a series of unprecedented changes in our lives, affecting the way we worked, socialized, shopped, and even spent our downtime. Amidst these upheavals, professionals from various fields found themselves grappling with the need to adapt and reinvent their businesses. Among them was Kostya Kimlat, the magician-CEO of See Magic Live and speaker who teaches groups to Think Like A Magician™. His story of transformation during these trying times offers valuable lessons in embracing change and finding new ways to thrive.

Before the pandemic, Kimlat's life revolved around traveling the U.S. for sales meetings and conferences, where he would perform magic shows and give speeches. However, the pandemic brought his entire schedule to a grinding halt. As he recollects, "Deposits, refunded, everything is done. Everything that I'd known was just stopped."

During this challenging period, Kimlat observed that some of his colleagues and friends in the magic and speaking world embraced change, while others resisted, hoping for a return to normalcy. He himself struggled with the initial shock of the pandemic and the disruptions it caused. Yet, the pivotal moment for him was the acceptance of these changes. He says, "The moment that we stopped fighting it and we accepted that this is a different kind of time, and we would use this time to have family time, to maybe learn to watch TV, to relax and do nothing, by accepting it allowed us to instantly overcome it."

It was this acceptance that led Kimlat to an unexpected turning point. He recalls, "I remember distinctly that the day that I accepted it, towards the end of March, I picked up the New York Times, and there was an article by General Stanley McChrystal, and he said that whatever you do, you must not hunker down, that now is the time where you need to use digital tools to reinforce the camaraderie in your organization. I remember reading that, and I was so angry at him because it lit a fire under me. Because now I realized, well, I can't just sit back and relax. I have this opportunity to act."

Soon after deciding to embrace change, he received an email asking him to perform a virtual magic show. Despite having never done one before, he rose to the challenge, connecting his cameras, setting up a Zoom account, and inviting clients to his virtual magic shows.

To prepare for his first virtual magic show, Kimlat invited ten clients per night for four nights to watch him perform. Much to his surprise, their children joined as well. He recalls, "Now, I don't do magic for kids. I typically perform for adults. All these kids showed up, and I was like, what is going on? It was pure magic." The response he received from these virtual magic shows was overwhelmingly positive. "People told me that they felt seen, they saw others. I called upon them by name and it became an incredibly amazing social time of human connection through this virtual medium," Kimlat shared.

Kostya Kimlat's virtual magic shows unexpectedly connected him with people around the world, creating a powerful sense of human connection and leading to two of the best years in his career by embracing change.

Embracing the virtual medium as a Zoom magician allowed Kimlat to connect with a larger audience than ever before. By focusing on serving his viewers and adapting to the new format, he ended up having two of the best years in his 20-year career. His experience serves as a reminder that embracing change, even when it's difficult, can lead to new opportunities and growth.

Kimlat's journey highlights the importance of recognizing the stages of grief in oneself and working through them for personal transformation. "I think one of the things that we have to remember is that when change comes, you're not expected to deal with it right away. You need to be kind to yourself and you need to acknowledge the fact that you feel this resistance, that you feel this sadness and this anger, and that these are not things you have to hide," he advised.

According to Kimlat, it is crucial to be open to change on both a business and personal level. He believes that even though embracing change may not lead to the same status, personal or financial power one had before, it can bring a whole different kind of joy than ever imagined. This newfound joy can fuel personal and professional growth, ultimately resulting in a more fulfilling life.

Throughout the pandemic, Kimlat's story has shown that transformation and adaptation can not only help businesses survive but also thrive in unprecedented times. His ability to pivot and make the most of the situation demonstrates the importance of resilience and adaptability. By reading General McChrystal's quote and taking it to heart, Kimlat was able to ignite a spark within himself that propelled him toward seizing new opportunities and connecting with people in a fresh and meaningful way.

Kostya Kimlat's journey during the pandemic serves as an inspiring example of how one can turn difficult circumstances into opportunities for growth and success. By accepting change, embracing new technologies, and staying connected with his audience, he was able to navigate through the challenges brought by the pandemic and emerge stronger than ever. His story encourages us all to confront change with courage and determination and to seek new possibilities even during the most trying times.