Meet Nathaniel Allenby | Author, Entrepreneur, Entertainer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathaniel Allenby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathaniel, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success, and the success of Cirque Quirk, has been living by the values I learned early on as an Eagle Scout: integrity, authenticity, and service. Scouting taught me that true leadership isn’t about titles or control, it’s about setting an example, listening carefully, and putting the needs of others first. Those lessons became the foundation for how I run my circus entertainment company, how I communicate with clients and artists, and how I approach every project: with honesty, accountability, and a commitment to delivering more than expected.

I’ve built my career by focusing on relationships, not transactions. When I meet a client, I ask what will truly move their audience, and I pour everything into making that happen, even if it takes more time, energy, or resources than I initially planned. Over the years, this approach has created trust, loyalty, and word-of-mouth growth that no marketing budget can buy.

In today’s world, where people are often over-promised and under-delivered, integrity and authenticity are not just ideals, they’re a competitive advantage. Leading with these values, backed by clear communication and a commitment to give more than I take, is what keeps my brand thriving and future-ready.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art has always been about connection, whether through circus performance, visual work, or now through my writing. What sets me apart is that everything I create is rooted in real-life experience. During the COVID quarantine, when live entertainment came to a halt, I finally sat down to write a book that had been living inside me for years: The Cycle of Kindness (www.thecycleofkindness.com). What began as a collection of stories from my six years bicycling 28,000 miles through ten countries grew into a 320,000-word manuscript before I even thought about publishing.

The process wasn’t easy. Like most artists and entrepreneurs, I’ve faced plenty of obstacles, financial uncertainty, self-doubt, and a world that suddenly pressed “pause.” But I wouldn’t have accomplished this project without Next Level Trainings. Their leadership and personal development programs gave me the structure, accountability, and self-belief to push through when the road got rough. They reminded me that art is not just about talent, it’s about discipline, integrity, and showing up fully even when no one is watching.

Along the way, I’ve learned that the same principles I use in my circus business apply to writing and to life: communicate honestly, stay true to your vision, and give more than you ask for in return. I want the world to know that my brand, my art, and this book all come from a place of service. The Cycle of Kindness isn’t just a travel memoir, it’s an inspirational blueprint for how acts of generosity can ripple outward to change lives, including your own. My hope is that my story inspires others to live boldly, lead with integrity, and create something that uplifts the world around them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to San Diego for a week, I would make sure they saw the best of the city and its surroundings. We would start with breakfast at Hash House a Go Go, then spend a full day exploring Balboa Park, wandering the gardens and museums, and catching a performance if one was happening. Another morning would begin with a hike up Cowles Mountain for sweeping views, followed by visits to Mount Soledad and Cabrillo National Monument for their history and incredible scenery.

Midweek, we’d drive out to Mount Laguna for a high-country hike among pines and wide-open vistas, a completely different side of San Diego that most visitors miss. Back in the city, I’d take them to City Tacos in North Park and show off the creative energy of the neighborhood. Sunset Cliffs would be perfect for an evening walk to watch the sun drop into the Pacific.

We’d wrap up with breakfast at Big Kitchen before spending a day at the coast, exploring tide pools, relaxing on the beaches, and maybe going for a quick stand-up paddleboard session in La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, or the Marina. I’d also want to bring them to a live show at the Rady Shell. By the time the week was over, they would understand why San Diego is such an amazing place to call home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I cannot take sole credit for where I am today. So many people and experiences have shaped my journey, but if I had to dedicate my shoutout, it would first go to my best friend of 24 years. At one of my lowest points, he offered to buy me a one-way ticket to Europe and a bicycle. That single act of kindness pulled me out of a deep depression, set me on a six-year journey cycling 28,000 miles through ten countries and thirty states, and ultimately led me to discover my calling as a circus entertainer. Along the way, he taught me to juggle, a skill that launched my career, and showed me the power of generosity while renewing my faith in humanity.

I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the mentors and artists who inspired and guided me, organizations like Clowns Without Borders that showed me how art can uplift communities, and to my family for their unwavering love and encouragement through every high and low. No one builds a meaningful life alone. My success is really a reflection of the people who have invested their time, love, and belief in me, and I carry that forward by doing my best to invest the same in others.

Website: https://www.CirqueQuirk.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CirqueQuirk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielallenby/

Twitter: https://x.com/CirqueQuirk

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cirque-quirk-san-diego-5

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/CirqueQuirk

Other: https://allenbyart.myshopify.com/
https://linktr.ee/CirqueQuirk
https://linktr.ee/TheCycleOfKindness
https://g.page/r/CefGAVMZtu4wEAE
https://www.facebook.com/CirqueQuirk
https://www.thecycleofkindness.com/

Image Credits
Stephen Cammell
Robert Nadel
Milan Bihlman