Matthew Palandra a.k.a. TheMagicMatt is a social media celebrity with over 5 million followers across all platforms. He is based in Canada and creates paper art and magic-related content! For more information check out his social media pages @themagicmatt.
Here we sit down with Matt, to know a bit more about his journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Matt: I first got into magic after being amazed and inspired by two-time America’s got talent winner Shin Lim! I then started social media, as I was stuck at home with my newfound love for magic. I then quickly became friends with @seandoesmagic on TikTok, (one of the biggest magic creators out there with 20mil+), and have been driven since then!
Q. How did you get started?
Matt: I had just learned a ton of magic tricks but was forced to stay at home during the lockdown. I had downloaded TikTok on my phone previously and decided to give it a shot and start posting some magic-related content on there. After two full months of posting with no results, I got my first viral video and started to be recognized and appreciated by bigger creators. After seeing how rewarding social media was, I never looked back!
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Matt: My biggest challenge starting out was not knowing how to create a viral video, and the hate I received initially. It took me two months before I had my first successful video, and before that, I would get about 200 views a video, with the only comments being negative ones. To overcome this, I just kept trying new ideas and realized that in the long run, the negative opinions of others wouldn’t matter. Looking back on it, I learned that if you believe in yourself, that’s all you need, even if no one else does.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Matt: The most memorable thing I have done was working with the New York Mets! They sent me some team gear and I created a collaboration post with them on both Instagram and TikTok. It felt surreal to be working with one of my childhood favourite teams, a real dream come true! 🙂
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Matt: One book I would recommend is “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. This book takes you through the journey of one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time, and having a glimpse into his mindset I will truly inspire you!
Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?
Matt: My top 3 favourite apps, are TikTok, YouTube, and CapCut. TikTok is where I got my start on social media, and YouTube is very rewarding with creator awards, and has helped propel my career even further! CapCut is probably the easiest and most user-friendly editing app I have ever seen and an absolute must-have!
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Matt: I would like to inspire others to chase their dreams. I started out filming videos, with a ladder as a tripod in my basement, and if I was able to make it big, I want to inspire others to do the same. I want to embrace the ideology, that if you chase your dreams, the sky is the limit!
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Matt: You could work extremely hard for 250 days without seeing any results, and then on the 251st day, your wildest dreams come true and all your hard work was worth it, never give up.
To keep up to date with Matt and his journey, connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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