This month’s People of GigSalad spotlight features Brandon Queen, a magician and hypnotist based in Los Angeles, CA. He grew a simple hobby into a full-fledged career built on wonder, sleight of hand, and a quiet confidence that defies the performer stereotype. Brandon opens up about finding his own path in magic and how GigSalad has helped him pull off his greatest trick yet: making a living doing what he loves.
Becoming a magician and hypnotist
Brandon Queen grew up in the Bay Area of California with two siblings, his mom, and stepdad. What started as a hobby slowly revealed itself to be something more like a calling. Quiet and introverted by nature, he’s carved out a performance style that plays to his personality rather than against it.
The first taste of magic
Brandon’s introduction to magic came courtesy of his mother, who had a fondness for pranks. When he was a kid, she handed him the phone with one of her friends on the line. “I can hear her chewing something, and she said, ‘I’m eating a cookie. Do you want one?'” he recounted. While he was on the call, his mom was quietly slipping into the kitchen, materializing a cookie. “That was the first time I ever experienced actual magic,” Brandon said.
Church also played a role, exposing him to miracles and moments that defied easy explanation. County fairs added another ingredient: hypnotists. “I would see people acting out of character and being under the control of the hypnotist,” he said. “And it looked so much like what I was witnessing in church. That was really confusing for me, because I thought, well, they look exactly the same — but what’s the difference?”
Turning passion into a career
In his early twenties, Brandon was playing in bands and using magic tricks as a fun way to connect with people. The reaction kept surprising him. “People would always say, ‘Why aren’t you doing that? Like, why are you doing this?’ It kind of opened my mind — oh, people actually do this for a career. This blew my mind,” he said. As his study of magic deepened, his family quietly played matchmaker between him and opportunity, suggesting to a neighbor that Brandon perform at their July 4th event. The neighbor offered $50, and just like that, he landed his first gig.
Perhaps unexpectedly, Brandon doesn’t quite fit the typical mold of a performer. “I hate being a center of attention, and I don’t like being on stage, which is really strange,” he said. Focusing on what brought him joy, Brandon changed the way he performed to focus strictly on roaming magic. “I just sort of blend in, I’m quiet, I’m low-key, but I have a big, big impact,” he explained. “I think time is more valuable than money. And if I can spend my time doing things that make me happy, then that’s success for me, 100%.”
Using GigSalad
Every gig Brandon has ever booked as a serious performer has come from GigSalad — or from a referral that started with one. For him, it’s not just a booking platform; it’s the engine behind his entire career. With nearly 15 years on the platform, he has a few insights into why it has worked so well for him.
GigSalad: How has GigSalad made it easier to book gigs?
Brandon Queen: GigSalad makes the booking process easier because I’m able to communicate with my clients in a way that allows me to negotiate, versus other platforms that I’ve worked on before. You give them the quote first, and it’s really a bunch of people just competing for the lowest price. But with GigSalad, I’m able to actually negotiate and show value before talking about price.
GS: What opportunities has GigSalad made possible?
BQ: Through GigSalad, I’ve had a lot of really cool opportunities. I’ve been able to meet a lot of really cool celebrities. I’ve got to perform for Disney, Netflix, Google, Yahoo, and a bunch of big corporate events, all through GigSalad, which is pretty insane.
GS: How does GigSalad support you?
BQ: GigSalad supports me by being able to connect me with potential clients. They do a lot of the work with the payment. The platform allows me to present myself to the client so they can see what I’m offering and what services I have. It just makes it very simple.
GS: What do you want people to know about GigSalad?
BQ: I would definitely recommend GigSalad because it makes the booking process very easy for the clients. You have a whole catalog of really great performers and entertainers that you can’t really find anywhere else. I think the price point is really good for both big event planners and also moms wanting to book something for their child. There’s something for everybody.
✨ Looking for more inspiration and tips? Check out last month’s People of GigSalad spotlight with Mariachi Tierra Mia!
Brandon’s story is proof that there’s no single mold for an entertainer or for success. By staying true to who he is, he’s built a career that’s as intentional as it is impressive, one thoughtful, mind-blowing moment at a time. 🪄
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.