Full-Time DJs: A Few Questions

1) Because I love not having a true boss, Instead I answer to my clients! The PEOPLE!
2) I worked for a company and was being verbally abused, I stuck it out for the longest time (I worked there 5 years, learned alot) but on the flip side enough was enough. I already had my dj service going so I quit and decided to do just that.
3) I took up other job roles in my company, for instance, I DJ, do web design, Event Videography, Equipment Sales, Rentals, and Installations as well as more in my area.

My diversification helped my business, some people only know me for my dj work, others my web design.

I hope this helps. Granted I go to school, in my market I would not have enough jobs or high enough pay to sustain life in me, I believe I have about 15-25% of the market share, which is not bad. I have my buddy who has prob 30-45%

It's just the way the cards fell while trying to find the easiest, stress free way to get by.

Play your strengths.



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1. I've been a dj in some capacity since I was 12
2. I've been a dj in some capacity since I was 12
3. I havent quite mastered that, its a work in progress. but its so much more fun being stressed over things in my business then someone elses. I have a lot more stress though than a single op fulltimer.

For nearly 30 years, I worked my DJ business as a part time business.
I jockeyed my time around being an on-air radio personality, and working for a major corporation as its Vice President and General Manager in New York City.

I recognized that I had not given The Steve Cie Show the tender loving care a business deserves. For nearly 10 years I worked the business word-of-mouth and did absolutely no advertising or marketing. During that time, the DJ industry exploded, with the addition of thousands of very talented, and some not so talented DJ's in our market. I had allowed the perverbial bus pass me by.

I finally realized that I was most happy with my DJ business. Three years ago, I made the bold decision to re-invest in my business, and embark on a full-time venture with it, forgoing all other employment.

I will not say it has been an easy road, and the income success has not happened over-night. I put in many long hours marketing the business during the week and chasing leads, but I am incredibly satisfied at the end of the week after completing my events.

I am now earning a comfortable living, but always striving to push the envelope and raise the bar.

I was one of the pioneers in this industry, and it is my intention to increase the viability and visibility of The Steve Cie Show Premier DJ 's as a successful professional member of our industry.

1. Why are you a full-time DJ?...... I love being my own boss and run my life as I see fit..

2. What made you decide to become a full-time DJ? What was your calling?..... you want the long story, sit back here we go boys and girls...... my first DJ gig was a Boy Scout/Girl Scout dance when I was in 7th grade, 1969..... since then I have been doing this off and on. In 1984 I was married and had a daughter, wife, house, boat and worked as a butcher in a Union shop. All the benefits you could want and seniority up da arse. I could not get fired! Then two things happened I ran my finger thru a bone saw. That didn't make me happy,,, 4 months later my wife left me for a drummer. A DRUMMER!!!!!! anyway, so now I'm on my own again. Disillusioned with the meat trade I think back to what has always been part of my life that I have loved doing????? DJing !!!!! So I called an agent buddy I knew, (who BTW booked the band that had the drummer that stole my wife, but I'm over that now) and asked if he would book a DJ. He said yep... Now bear in mind, he was a good buddy who was also feeling guilty about the whole DRUMMER deal, but yeah, I'm over that, so I needed a system, he leant me $15,000 at the end of 1984 to go buy a system. So I did and it frickin' rocked! In Oct of 1985 I went full-time and had him paid back by the end of 1985.

still with me?
In 2004 my new wife, who BTW we just celebrated our 17 year anniversary, moved to Maui. I've been a full time single system MDJ since 1985. It can be done IF you have the desire to make it happen. Okay, next question....

3. How did you succeed in becoming a full-time DJ?..... Two things, I had an agent and I quit my day job. You wanna make it full time? quit your day job. As long as you have something to fall back on, you will never do whatever it takes to make it.

I could go on, but my fingers are tired

Request Line Productions said:

It's just the way the cards fell while trying to find the easiest, stress free way to get by.

Play your strengths.



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Click to expand...

knowledge of music
huge CD collection
gets to write off "toys"

Why are you a full-time DJ?

It's the only REAL job I have ever known. It's what I know and what I feel have some talent in doing.

What made you decide to become a full-time DJ?

Well... I began djing by a friend of mine coming back from a winter break from college (I was still a senior in HS), and said......"I found a great way to meet HOT CHICKS!!!"

We dj'd on and off thru the next 4 years. When I was 22 and getting sick of the pizza shop job my friend sold me his half of the business (2 cases of cds and two single JVC cd players) for $200.

A few years of going at it on my own I really went at it and grew the business.
When I was ready to graduate college (I was on the 6 year plan), my final semester I had to do my student teaching. The week before I was ready to leave I get a call to bid on a nightclub contract in the next town over. I meet with the GM the next day and the offer is $150/night 4 times a week. I already had a few guys working some private events and I had another very lucrative nightclub contract, but this one would require me to take a break from school to concentrate on this growing business.

I took the gig and put student teaching off for a semester (my wife made me promise I would get my degree if I did this). That was 12 years ago and I haven't looked back.

I am actually typing this from that nightclub right now!!!!!


How did you succeed in becoming a full-time DJ?

Hard Work, not being afraid of challenges, and accepting adversity.

I also feel LUCK plays a role in any business and with that a sense of being in the right place at the right time and both are very true for me!

Jamie
Houserockers DJ

1. Why are you a full-time DJ?- Because I was lucky enough to get the opportunity
2. What made you decide to become a full-time DJ? What was your calling?- When Kevin moved to Macon and started his own company I was given the chance to take over his position in my company. I would have to say yes it is my calling. I was a theatre major looking for a way to make a living as a performer. My sister got married on 9-27-2001 the DJ at her wedding invited me to run with him on a wedding the next day and I have been with his company ever since.
3. How did you succeed in becoming a full-time DJ? The same way you succeed at anything in life: hard work, preparation, and always remembering that customer service is #1.

I had to retire early from the fire service due to a pacemaker. I have been DJing since 1978. I went out on my own in 87 and it snowballed from there. After my retirement and a few years of being pissed off I decide if some of these guys around me can do this full time there is no reason I can't. So here I am. DJing is the easy part. Marketing and running the business is the hard stuff.

How did I succeed in full time? I owe it all to the worth movement. Once I heard those CD's and got the calling I knew I could make it. Just hearing Marks voice gave me a renewed lease on life. I began to love everyone and knew I was worth more than I thought. Are you believing this sh#t?

I then found Peter. Wow! All I had to do was pay him $900 and I could attach three letter to my name. Now people knew I was a real DJ and had to pay me lots of money. Are you still with me?

Sorry folks, I had to throw a little fiction in the mix.


For real, I began networking with a local DJ friend of my who runs a multi op in the area. He gave me some great ideas and encouragement. I then found SNAPDJS. This group works together closely, sharing everything we have with each other (except wifes and girlfriends). For nothing more than commitment we help each other in every aspect of our businesses both full and part timers. Anyone willing to learn, anyone willing to share is welcome. Last year I attended the MB Summer Camp here in MA. I met some really wonderful professionals. Guys who impress me with the way they run their businesses and offer assistance to others. People like Keith Allen, Jamie Simpson, Big Daddy, Joe and Heather (who since have become family)and of course Cap, just to name a few. So I guess I could say I succeeded with the help of many friends both within the DJ world and from other business acquaintances. I've watches closely those who have impressed me. Don't get me wrong. I make fun of some of others but I watch them closely as well. As I always say, everyone has something to offer.

The key for me? Network with those who are successful. It will rub off.