Meet Tim Mann

We were lucky to catch up with Tim Mann recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tim , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic was formed when I was young. It was ingrained in me at a young age that I needed to work by my parents. Nothing came to me for free, I had to earn it. I had a paper route and my own golf ball business at the age of 13. I had to get up early every morning something that still holds true for me today. I am an early riser. I had to work for money to purchase things I wanted and needed, my bicycle, clothes, my first car, eating out and recreation.

The other way my work ethic came about was when I was a kid, I had problem with phonics. Phonics was a method to teach children to read, write, and spell by matching letters and sounds. I just could not get Phonics. My third grade teacher said I would not amount to anything because I could not read. So I started to read everything I could. I mostly read about sports heroes, books on Baseball, Football, and Basketball stars. I also had a subscription to Sports Illustrated. The overall theme was these stars had a very strong work ethic. From reading how other’s became successful, I knew I had to do what they were doing by having a strong work ethic.

Therefore, my work ethic was formed at an early age by my parents and through a learning problem. Even today as I am older I still find myself doing something. Whether it is working around the house, writing jokes, practicing my set, or learning something new. I am not one for sitting around the house too much.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Professionally, I am a Stand Up Comedian. I got a late start at it but you are never too old to do anything. Look at Grandma Moses, she began painting at the age of 78. In the back of my mind I always wanted to try Stand Up Comedy. I would watch other comedians and thought I could do that. So I gave it a shot. I remember back my first performance in front of a crowd of about 40 people, I was wondering if anyone would laugh. I killed it, I had the room busting up. People came up to me after the show. I have tried other professions in life but from that day I knew I had finally found a home as a Comedian. Basically I have been a comedian all my life, I just did not know it. I always wanted attention by doing stupid thing in school, class clown stuff getting me in trouble. I always tried to make friends, family, and people around me laugh, in a funny sarcastic way. I think it is the greatest thrill in the world, to make people laugh.

The other great thing about Comedy is you can observe and learn from other Comedians. So I also find myself having a good time when I am working on Comedy. I don’t think there is any other profession in the world where you can laugh while you are observing, learning and working.

I am currently performing around the Los Angeles Area at different venues and clubs. The internet has made it possible for me to try out my new material with online shows and I also hit the open mic scene. I was recently in Austin Texas performing, what a great place for Comedians. It is becoming or is now the Comedy Capital of the world. Great group of Comedians in Austin with lots of opportunities to perform.

In my last performance at the Comedy Chateau in North Hollywood California the owner Felix McNulty introduced me as an Up and Coming Superstar. I am looking forward to my next step opportunity in the Comedian world to be traveling around the country performing. I look forward to the opportunity to open for a Headliner Comedian down the road as well.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three areas that are most impactful in my journey are perseverance, positive mindset, and active listening.

Perseverance is all about staying the course. Everything in society teaches us instant gratification, but with anything you do Professionally it does not come overnight. I constantly think big named Comedians made it right way, but it is actually at least 5-10 years if not 15 to 20 years of overnight success. It is not about the time but more about keep going. There will be times when things are not going my way, life is full of ups and downs just like waves in the ocean go up and down and the Sun goes up and down everyday. When things are not working it is perseverance of doing something to advance my profession. Whether that is marketing myself, writing new material, or practicing my joke set. With perseverance you will most likely have the majority of up days then down days.

Positive mindset is all about keeping the vision alive. I am a big fan of visualization. Norman Vincent Peale who wrote the book, The Power of Positive Thinking has a great quote. “Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture… Do not build up obstacles in your imagination.” I visualization myself in front of crowds laughing and having a good time. I visualization myself being successful and having nice things. It is great when my vision becomes reality. I think the Norman Vincent Peale word “tenaciously” in his quote goes hand and hand with the word, “perseverance”.

Active listening is all about feedback. I am always listening to the crowd to see how they are reacting to my jokes. When a punchline does not hit I try to figure out why and make adjustments. I am open to feedback from other comedians to see how they are hearing my jokes. I am open to feedback from anyone, especially from my Comedy Coach. I think everyone should have a professional coach to help the learning curve, and help develop yourself into an awesome talent.

I would also mentioned being comfortable on stage plays a big factor in Stand Up comedy. People often ask if I am nervous. Maybe I was nervous my first ten to twenty performances but the nerves have completely gone. I am more focused on having a conversation with my audience. Many great comedians have told me it is all about stage time, getting up there. I think that is so true but I would also add preparation is key as well. The great John Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood who won all those Basketball Championships at UCLA would have the top players in the country do all kinds of drills over and over so when it was game time everything was automatic.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

The most helpful person in overcoming challenges, building and developing my career as a Comedian thus far has been Steve North, my Comedy Coach. I first read his book, How to Kill in Comedy. His book made so much sense on how to be a really good Stand Up Comedian. Steve coaches you on how to find your Comedic Character then use the Character to have a spontaneous and intimate conversation with the audience. In one of my jokes Steve said to tell them I am a terrific guy, to brag. When I did it on stage, I got one of my biggest laughs. I said to myself after that set that his coaching really works. He is constantly refining my material and drilling into me the skills all the great comedians have. He is kind of like the John Wooden of Comedy. When I watch Comedian Superstars they all have the essential skills Steve coaches on. I know he has already knocked years off the learning curve for me. I am glad I made the decision to seek is expertise from the beginning.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: timmanncomedy
• Facebook: Tim Mann
• Youtube: @TimMannComedy
• Other: Email: [email protected]