Elliott Smith and Ian Quick

If only it were so easy.

But even magicians Elliott Smith and Ian Quick couldn't rely on their mystical powers to turn themselves into professional entertainers.

Instead, it was business smarts, not smoke and mirrors, that propelled them into lucrative full-time careers in the entertainment industry.

Now, the two Ottawa magicians have transformed themselves into business writers and coaches.

Their new book, Highway to Success - The Entertainer's Roadmap to Business, relies on Smith's 35 years as a professional magician and draws on Quick's experiences getting going in the industry after abandoning a law career.

But perhaps the real magic of the book is that it applies to anyone with a dream who just needs a little business savvy to get off the ground.

When Smith first phoned to introduce himself, I was intrigued. After all, it's not every day a magician appears out of thin air and offers to reveal his secrets.

Once I'd read the book, which covers everything from setting up an office to closing a sale, I immediately thought of the many Ottawa entrepreneurs who could benefit from just such advice. Smith and Quick could definitely teach them a trick or two.

When the pair arrived in the office for an interview, I wasn't sure what to expect. Cloaks? Top hats? Magic wands? But, true to their book's advice, the duo arrived punctually and nattily dressed, briefcases and business cards in hand.

The story of their careers is a book in itself. Smith, 50, fell in love with magic at age six, yet was talked into following a traditional path of university and "real world" jobs. But the magic continued on the side and when Smith realized he could make more money with it than in his full-time position, he left 12 years in marketing to follow his passion.

Nonetheless, his "real world" experiences stood him in good stead, as did a few lessons learned the hard way. In fact, his business savvy impressed other entertainers as much as his magic act enthralled his audiences.

Quick, 30, was a long-haired hippy student miserable at law school yet determined to earn his degree and pass the bar. But his real love was magic. In fact, it kept popping up in the middle of estate law and other matters Quick felt could use a bit more sparkle. Finally, money and prestige were no match for the gasps, grins and giggles his part-time magic act produced and he left his law practice to pick up the wand full time.

Quick was luckier than most in that he had a mentor in Smith, whose magic powers included product, client and market development.

The possibilities of children's parties, camps, daycares and co-ops were revealed, as were opportunities presented by corporate and private functions, even conferences and motivational training seminars.

And then – poof! The pair had an epiphany. While there were plenty of magic books on the market, there weren't any on the business of entertainment. And so the two re-invented themselves yet again into authors and business coaches, presenting seminars and selling rights to their new book all over the world.

Instead of card tricks and sleight of hand, they talk contracts, negotiating, cold calls and advertising.

They tell people to dream and to follow their dreams, using a little patience and perseverance along the way. And they want people to know that, in the end, it's not magic.

For more information on Highway to Success, visit www.happymediumbooks.com or call 1-800-287-8610.

-by Anne Howland