BVU Graduate Wows Incoming Freshmen, Students, and Classes

July 15, 2022

Anderson Auditorium fell silent repeatedly one night this spring as magician/illusionist David Laflin '00 mesmerized Buena Vista University students and dozens of incoming first-year students in a performance that coincided with an overnight stay for the freshmen to-be.

“I love hearing people interact and I love hearing laughter,” Laflin said as a student’s eyes grew wide in amazement at his ability to correctly identify cards and predict within which hand a student held a $20 bill. Laflin correctly called which hand the student held the bill on four consecutive occasions, thus thwarting the student’s chance to earn $20 for stumping the illusionist.

It’s also tough stumping Laflin in the business world as the 2000 BVU graduate illustrated by sharing tales of his family’s successes in diverse fields: magic, entertainment, real estate, and more.

In addition to entertaining visitors during the BVU visit event, Laflin spent time with three BVU business classes the following day.

“Students were amazed (as were faculty members and staff) by David's talent, and then uplifted by all the great memories and stories he shared about his time as a BVU student and how BVU helped shape his professional successes.”

Conner Ellinghuysen, Director of Admissions

“It was incredible having David on campus, we heard nothing but great comments about his work with our incoming students and our current students,” said Conner Ellinghuysen, Director of Admissions. “Students were amazed (as were faculty members and staff) by his talent, and then uplifted by all the great memories and stories he shared about his time as a BVU student and how BVU helped shape his professional successes.”

Laflin, who transferred to BVU as a sophomore, is a professional magician/illusionist who has spent the past 18 years performing throughout the U.S. and in 10 foreign countries, entertaining, and informing those who gather in church groups, school organizations, and businesses. The businesses he and his wife, Teesha, run now include Laflin Life Foundation, Inc., a non-profit in which their family works with schools, churches, and businesses in serving their local communities; Laflin Magic Store, an online magic store; Laflin Events, a talent-booking agency; and Epic Family Adventures, a real-estate investment company specializing in short-term rental properties.

In 2009, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child. Their children now range in age from 13 to 6. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut much of the country down, eliminating mass gatherings, Laflin went virtual as a performer and found challenges in realizing the success he previously experienced.

“Everything we did earlier was predicated on getting people together in groups,” he said, indicating a temporary setback. “It led to us giving thought to other ventures like expanding upon our Airbnb efforts.”

Five years earlier, the family rented their home in Denver, Colo., while traveling to Maine. The funds they earned covered travel expenses and more. That success led the Laflins to start Epic Family Adventures as they purchased and renovated two cabins in David’s native South Dakota. They expanded and bought properties in Tennessee, which also became part of their Airbnb enterprise.

“We’re trying to stay ahead of the people who follow patterns,” he said to a BVU class on business policies and strategies. “We learn great concepts in business classes. We must all be ready to learn and realize there will be many times where we’ll need outside help.”

In 2021, the Laflins founded their nonprofit, Laflin Life Foundation, which is centered upon their mission and humanitarian work. The organization allows fans to make tax-deductible gifts that help fund the couple’s teaching and training efforts for those in impoverished areas, their way of better serving the greater community. The family spent January 2020 assisting the underprivileged in Guatemala. The Laflins plan to return to Guatemala in January 2023 to build homes for families in need while working in orphanages and schools, and installing and building stoves for other families, further assisting those who are currently risking their health and wellbeing by cooking over open fires.

“Our efforts in Guatemala help promote safety and better health for the families we are fortunate to meet and assist,” David Laflin concluded. “My family and I are extremely fortunate and proud to be able to build upon what we have and what we have learned as we keep striving to serve others.”