Award-winning International Magician Tom Pesce Joins Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series
Award-winning International Magician Tom Pesce
Joins Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series
Last month Tom Pesce, a renowned magician and motivational entertainer, joined Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series as a celebrity guest with a captivating keynote titled: The Magic of Believing in Yourself. The interactive presentation was one of the latest installments in the Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series, a highly-successful initiative created by Zeigler Auto Group to empower employees with tools for personal and professional development.
KALAMAZOO (June 18, 2025) - Internationally acclaimed magician, educator, and motivational entertainer Tom Pesce delivered a captivating and uplifting keynote as part of the Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series. The highly successful and long-running Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series invites entrepreneurs, athletes, innovators and leaders across different disciplines to share their unique stories and points of view with the Zeigler team. The presentation took place inside the Zeigler Honda locker room on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Pesce's presentation, The Magic of Believing in Yourself, combined interactive illusions with powerful messages about resilience, perseverance, and the importance of believing in one's own potential and power. Using the movie "Back to the Future" as a reference he was able to illustrate how we can rewrite and restart whatever we need to in real time. Although we can't change the past or predict the future, we can do something so much better: believe in our own magic, stay present, and create our best future with positive interactions through intention.
"Magic is not just about illusions; it's about seeing possibilities where others see limitations.
The real magic lies within you-the power to shape your future through belief, perseverance, and courage."
Drawing on his multi-hyphanete background as a celebrated entertainer, illusionist, and longtime educator, Pesce energized the audience with both laughter and introspection. One of the many impactful points he made included the idea that a lasting impression comes from harnessing our ultimate power to create experiences that bring people back to us time and time again. So what makes an experience unforgettable?
The short answer: find the extraordinary in the ordinary. In order to do this we must choose to transform the mundane into magic. Pesce's three step approach included: intention, surprise, and connection. Using this three-prong approach Pesce was able to illustrate an unforgettable experience by showing the importance of vulnerability to achieve something that is completely out of routine for a customer that can be remembered as magic, even when magic isn't involved. It's in doing what isn't expected and allowing yourself to fail if necessary that can really help you connect with those around you, especially those you serve.
For the step that includes intention, one must focus on doing things on purpose, looking for the good in others, and leading with purpose. One example of intention he gave was his friend who is a DJ. This man wakes up every morning with the intention of calling and singing happy birthday to those celebrating that day.
For the end user hearing this DJ sing is a special surprise moment but it's only brought about by systematic intention. Thus introducing the second step: the element of surprise that breaks the pattern and holds another person's attention. While explaining this step he spoke about the time he performed magic for PJ Fleck and his team. Fleck did a great job at not letting his team know that Pesce was coming, he leaned into the element of surprise by not announcing his arrival until it was time to perform. Another example he shared was Fleck doing an easter egg hunt with his players.
This leads to Pesce's final step: connection, to make the experience human. For Fleck it was all about reaching and connecting with his players in a different way and showing them he cared about them. And even going back to the DJ reference, his new clients would be surprised to hear from him and he would feel special, for ongoing clients they will grow to expect this so he would always be front and center on their mind during a day of the year where, usually, celebration and happiness is a hallmark. The result: a unique and memorable experience.
For Fleck, it would show his players he's open to being vulnerable. For the DJ, he would inevitably be the main person popping up in their mind when it's time to hire someone like him.
Diving deeper beyond connection, Pesce brought up the importance of trust and respect in order to breed loyalty in teams and in everyday life. It's like when someone leaves a job, they aren't necessarily leaving a paycheck, they are leaving a place where they didn't receive these two very important things. So at the end of the day what do people really remember? They remember what you gave. Because ultimately every team is a family; and family means: Forget About Me I Love You
Pesce recalled being a terrible football player in high school but there was one play he did that his team mates still remember to this day. Although he didn't really play, even winning the Twelfth Man award, when he was given the opportunity he left it all on the field instead of quitting. Similarly his parents were always at every game even though he rarely got to play.
"Legacy isn't what you leave behind, it's how you live your life."
Going back to the Back to the Future reference, he spoke about a time when he went to a Cold Play concert even though he didn't want to be there at the time. While he was there, he unexpectedly saw the band creating a unique experience with: Intention, Surprise, and Connection. The band is known to be influenced by the Back to the Future franchise, and they brought out Michael J.Fox, the main protagonist in that popular franchise. And although he hasn't acted in a while due to Parkinson's disease, his title as "actor" doesn't matter as much as the influence he has had across different lives. So your title doesn't ultimately matter, it's about your position of influence and leadership. It's not so much what you do that's so important, it's who you are. That's ultimately the reason you were hired.
Bringing it back to Fox, another actor was actually in production for 7 weeks to play Marty McFly, but ultimately Fox ended up with the role because of who he is.
How do people experience you? Would you want to experience yourself? That's such an important way to look at things because it puts you in the end-user's pov. It's also important to understand that you are not for everyone and finding the right fit for you is the most important part. Being yourself is part of your magic. So why were you chosen, and how can you make others feel like they were chosen? It might simply be finding the strength in others and bringing out the best they have to offer.
To illustrate another thing about titles, Pesce shared his journey to being called daddy by his new daughter after getting together with her mother. When the day finally came, he realized that the title he had been wishing for didn't matter, because to his daughter he had always been what he wanted: daddy, even though it took a while for her to call him that.
"When you are up for the role people need most, regardless of title, that's when you're fulfilling the greatest role you can have."
The takeaway: Legacy is the impact we have on others through presence, leadership, and humanity. Every moment matters. When you lean into your own magic, you are able to provide a magical experience for others as well. The best magic isn't done because of a magician, it is done because of others.
"Tom was a captivating speaker. His ability to keep you on the edge of your seat while
installing his message of making memorable moments was incredible."
Karianne Thomas, Director of Security, Zeigler Auto Group
"Tom was truly an incredible speaker and had a unique talent of controlling the room.
He had a fantastic message about creating memorable moments with our customers and other people in our lives.
His tricks are unlike anything I have ever seen before. I was lucky to have been a part of one and
I still have no idea how it was possible! 10/10 speaker and performer!"
Nate Van Ryn, New Car Sales Manager Zeigler Grandville
Tom Pesce's distinguished career spans Fortune 500 companies, national organizations, and high-profile entertainment venues. His clients include NASA, Amazon, Google, NBC, Nasdaq, and Formula 1, and he's performed as a headliner for Princess Cruises. He was recently named WinWin Charity Entertainer of the Year and honored by the Site Crystal Awards for "Standalone Celebratory Event of the Year."
In addition to his award-winning performances, Pesce has spent more than 20 years teaching fourth and sixth grade in Westchester, NY, earning multiple graduate degrees in elementary education, district administration, and leadership.
About Zeigler Auto Group
Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.
Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.
The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2024.
The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor's top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Francis Mariela | 239.273.6976
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