Meet Jesse Harkin

We recently connected with Jesse Harkin and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

As a child I was very shy, so shy that when I got new shoes my mum had to warn people not to point them out or ask if they’re new or I would cry and refuse to wear them again because I hated any attention on me.
I started performing magic at age 12 and really struggled in front of crowds. I decided to make a clown character so I could be as loud and silly as I wanted and didn’t have to be embarrassed because I was being someone else but really it was just me with the volume turned all the way up!
I decided on a clown because when I was three years old I saw a circus. I thought the elephants were the coolest thing, and the next best thing was the clowns so I assumed they were in charge. So I thought if I became a clown, I’d get a pet elephant. I was bullied out of the idea of being a clown around age 5 or 6.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am Kazoo the Clown! I was touring with Circus Corvenieo in Ireland for a bit over three years. I loved my time at the circus but unfortunately had to retire from the travelling life in October this year. I had to leave because building and taking down the big top was causing me to get severe dermatitis on my hands and I sometimes couldn’t bend and sometimes couldn’t straighten my fingers at all. I’ll always be grateful to Brandon and Shane for giving me a chance as I had applied for other circuses many, many times and they never got in contact. They’re lovely guys and I wish them all the best with the next tour.

Now I’m back doing what I did before I joined the circus, birthday parties and events but hoping to move to theatre shows next year.

I was very careful when coming up with my clown to be as friendly looking as possible. So many people think they’re afraid of clowns and are confused when they see a clown like me and they’re not scared. There are no nice clowns in the media for them to compare the scary ones to. If I tell you to name a nice clown that is popular today you will struggle to. Ronald’s fallen off the face of the earth and though he was good he was a little creepy. I have helped half a million followers on TikTok with their fears and made a lovely community there in the process.

My mission is to help even more people realise that clowns are just here for you to enjoy. Even the scary clowns are just doing their job. The ones in 2016 were not professional clowns they scared people in public places where there is no consent; professionals stick to places where they are expected to be, haunted houses etc.

I hope more people will be inspired to try clowning or other circus skills. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life, I love being a bright colourful goofball and making people smile.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

When I first started I only had the internet to learn. I later found out about circus classes in Derry, (In YourSpace) where I learned basic juggling, stilt walking, poi, unicycle and plate spinning.
Last year I started learning aerial hoop, I found DragonFly Studios in Derry and it has helped me enormously. I wish I started learning years ago, I thought you had to be flexible and very strong and while I did build a lot of muscle at circus I still wish I started learning aerial earlier because I love it so much.
As for magic the most beneficial thing for me was going to the states and seeing some magic shows and visiting real magic shops. I saw so many different types of shows, comedy magic, really pretty artistic magic, classic magic tricks with modern twists, I also made friends with other magicians which changed my life. There’s not many magicians or clowns in Ireland. It’s a lonely profession to get into here. So I decided I would work as hard as I could to get a US visa. I’ve worked as hard as I could to build a large online following and get as many media articles and tv interviews as I could and it was going well but then the election happened this year and I lost hope. I don’t feel like I’d be safe in the states anymore. That dream is on hold now.

Having magician friends to share ideas and expand on each others ideas, tricks that will match certain themes, helping choose music for acts, trying to figure out how to achieve an idea for a trick. Having someone to talk to that really shares your passion for creating that feeling of wonder in others is incredibly special and I feel very lucky to have made the connections I have made.

Everyone’s journey in creative arts is unique and individual. But I think having someone who understands and is also passionate about your art is top of the list.

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?

My friend Naathan Phan (@MagicAsianMan) has helped me every step of the way since I met him. He’s helped me with magic, with learning the more businessy side of things, how to price myself, make my own posters, gives me advice on good sound equipment, and has helped me grow massively as a performer. I met him by chance on my first trip to Vegas and he’s been one of my best friends since! He’s currently touring on cruise ships so if you see him say hello from me!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Blue background pictures : AML Photography

Pink background/ circus background- Bibi McGee Photography

Balloon picture – Jay MacLaughlin

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