What I Learned from Co-Founding a Professional Association for Stage Hypnotists

In October 2023, alongside six other professional stage hypnotists, I co-founded the International Stage Hypnotists' Association (ISHA). Our vision was to advance the profession of stage hypnotism and foster a sense of community among our peers. Founding a professional association seemed like the right step toward legitimizing our craft, creating opportunities for professional development, and nurturing a network where stage hypnotists could collaborate, share insights, and grow together.

But the journey of building ISHA wasn't without its challenges and eye-opening lessons, and in August of 2024 I resigned from the organization. Here’s what I learned from this experience.

Trust Comes from Integrity and Transparency

From the start, my colleagues and I knew that building trust was paramount. To ensure that the association remained focused on its mission rather than profit, we agreed to establish ISHA as a non-profit. This meant that no board member, including myself, would benefit financially from the dues collected from our members. It was a decision rooted in integrity, and for over a year, I dedicated six to ten hours a week to the association without any compensation.

During that time, I built seven online educational programs, designed our website, moderated our online community on Discord, and participated actively in the membership, education, and communication committees. I also facilitated monthly member meetings, a creative workshop called "The Imagination Lab," and attended the monthly "Happy Hour" sessions meant for members to connect socially.

Nobody asked me to take on this workload—I did it because I believed in the cause. I saw the potential to elevate our profession and create a thriving, engaged community of entertainers who share a passion for hypnosis. But that led me to my first tough lesson. When you spend a lot of time and energy building something, your ego gets pulled into that process, and it can lead to you taking things personally when you shouldn't.

People Are at Really Different Places in Their Journey

Through our first year, I realized that while I was driven by a deep desire to build something valuable for the community, not everyone shared that enthusiasm for growth and engagement. Despite providing numerous opportunities for professional development and connection, participation was low.

We collected data, and it quickly became clear that Pareto's Principle, commonly known as the 80/20 rule, was at play. About 20% of our members regularly attended meetings, used the online classes, interacted within our community, and took advantage of the benefits we provided. The other 80% remained uninvolved and unengaged.

This was a tough pill to swallow. Here I was putting in hours and hours for no pay, yet the majority of our members weren't availing themselves of the resources we were offering them. At times I took this personally, and I shouldn't have, because here's a fundamental truth: people have the right to choose how they spend their time and energy. And as much as I might have wanted to create an environment where all members were equally invested, I couldn't force that commitment.

Some members have day jobs. Some like performing a few times a year, but don't want to be full-time entertainment hypnotists. How much time and energy each member is willing to put in will vary widely, and that's okay.

Value Your Time and Choose Your Collaborators Wisely

One of the most important lessons I learned from my time with the ISHA was to value my time more and be more discerning about who I collaborate with. I realized that I wanted to spend my time and energy with colleagues who are serious about the work of entertainment hypnotism—those who are committed to honing their craft, improving their knowledge, and building stronger professional relationships. It was unrealistic of me to expect more of the members to put in the kind of time I was putting in.

I recognized that it's okay if others aren't interested in the same level of commitment or growth, but I didn't want to spend my time working with those who weren't aligned with my values and goals. This realization was pivotal in helping me set clearer boundaries and priorities in my professional life. Instead of trying to build a larger scale project and convince more and more people to think about things the way I do, why not scale down and attract the fewer people who are already aligned with my thinking about entertainment hypnotism? That's something I will be working on in the future.

Growth Can Mean Moving in a New Direction

After over a year working on the ISHA, I decided to resign. It wasn't an easy decision. I knew that if I stayed, I would start to resent those who didn't share my level of commitment. And that resentment could affect the positive relationships I had built with my colleagues—people I genuinely care about and respect. Leaving the ISHA was not a rejection of those individuals or of the association itself. Instead, it was a recognition that my path was evolving. Learning and growing can lead to new directions, and that's a positive thing.

What I have loved most about my time as an entertainment hypnotist is that I've been making a living while never feeling like I'm working. I want that feeling to extend to as much of the work I do as possible. Now, with over two decades of experience, I feel better positioned than ever to be a mentor and supportive colleague for hypnotists who want to excel in this profession. I believe that I am still a leader in the broader community, and that I have much to offer entertainment hypnotists who want to perform at the highest level.

Recognize When to Step Back for the Sake of Your Well-being

It can be difficult to walk away from something you've invested so much time, energy, and passion into. But staying in a situation where your values no longer align with those around you can lead to burnout and frustration. By stepping back, I gave myself the space to focus on what truly matters to me: working on my shows, achieving excellence as an entertainer, and growing my business.

Sometimes, the most valuable lesson is knowing when to let go.

Co-founding the International Stage Hypnotists' Association was an incredibly formative experience that taught me about leadership, collaboration, and self-awareness. It challenged me to reflect on my priorities and helped me understand the kind of professional relationships and communities I want to be a part of.

I am proud of what we accomplished with the ISHA and grateful for the opportunity to learn from the experience. Moving forward, I am more committed than ever to aligning my efforts with those who share a passion for continuous growth and excellence. For me, that is the true essence of what it means to be a professional in the art of entertainment hypnotism.