What does it take to become one of the world’s greatest illusionists? Rob Lake has performed in over 60 countries, created magic for Broadway and television, and even built a multi-million dollar entertainment business—one illusion at a time.
In this unforgettable episode, Rob reveals the hidden world behind the curtain: from building illusions in his garage as a kid to creating full-scale productions with a 20-person touring crew. He shares the brutal realities of the entertainment industry, the pressure to reinvent constantly, and how he turned passion into profit—without ever taking on investors.
Timestamps
0:00 – Intro: The business behind the illusion
1:00 – Why Dubai is the Vegas of the Middle East
3:00 – Building magic from cardboard boxes to global tours
6:00 – The hidden psychology of illusions
10:00 – Why most magicians never make it
14:00 – From performing at birthday parties to theme parks in Japan
18:00 – Creating illusions that take decades to perfect
23:00 – What reality TV didn’t show you
26:00 – The myth of the “one big break”
29:00 – Behind the scenes: 20-person teams, warehouses & global shipping
32:00 – When do you retire a trick?
34:00 – Vegas, $50 million theatres & PR hype
36:00 – What it takes to stay relevant for decades
38:00 – Rob’s biggest mistakes (and what he learned)
40:00 – Mentorship, legacy & what’s next for Rob Lake
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Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur.
I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win.
On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business.
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