We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joey Hernandez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joey below.

Hi Joey, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

The biggest challenge I face in my industry is ensuring profitability while maintaining the high level of service I provide. A lot of people hear “DJ” and assume it’s just about playing music, but there’s so much more to it. For some DJs, yes, that’s all they do, and that’s perfectly fine. But for me, it’s about being an essential part of your event, creating a memorable atmosphere, and contributing to its overall success.
Whether the event is large or small, I invest significant resources—both time and money—into making sure everything is perfect. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on top-tier equipment, and I do it because I’m passionate about what I do and want to deliver the absolute best. I want to give you everything: If you need equipment set up in two separate areas, I can make that happen without disrupting your event. If we’re outdoors with no power, I can run everything off batteries. Need discreet mics for photos or want special effects like sparklers, lasers, or a cloud machine? I can provide all of that. But these things come with a cost. Many people don’t realize the extensive investments required to ensure everything goes smoothly.
While I’m always eager to deliver the best possible experience, balancing that with profitability is a challenge. Running a business means covering not only equipment costs but also time, logistics, and other expenses. I know my pricing reflects the quality and service I provide, but I also need to ensure that the business remains sustainable. There are cheaper DJs out there, of course, but they may not deliver the same level of professionalism or quality. I’ve had clients share horror stories about cheaper options, and I’m grateful to have built a loyal clientele who understands the value I bring. It’s incredibly rewarding when clients, after experiencing the level of effort and dedication I put into each event, They want to pay me more at the end. That’s the kind of feedback that assures me I’m on the right track.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started DJing as a hobby when I was about 10 years old. I am 28 now. My dad, who used to DJ, bought me my first set, and from there, I began to experiment. At every family gathering or party, I would DJ, and it was clear to me that this was more than just playing music. I started realizing how powerful music is in shaping people’s connections to an event. It’s about more than just the beats; it’s about creating an atmosphere, guiding people’s emotions, and making every moment memorable.
As I continued to grow, I didn’t wait for opportunities—I created them. I took any event I could, regardless of the demographic, whether it was a Hispanic, Black, White, or Indian community, and I didn’t charge at first because I was focused on learning and improving my craft. Gathering Libraries and Libraries of music from every single client, like building a data base for music. I made mistakes along the way, like failing at my first few events due to a lack of music and experience, but I didn’t give up. I kept pushing forward, taking every event I could to learn from.
Now, when I’m working with clients, I see myself as much more than just the person playing music. I take control of the entire event experience. From managing the flow of the event to handling entrances, announcements, and everything in between, I make sure that the event is seamless. I’m not the focus; I’m the backbone, ensuring everything works behind the scenes. Just like at a concert, where people focus on the artist but don’t always realize the team behind the production, I create the magic that makes the event come to life.”

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really highlights my resilience comes from the early days of my DJ career. I was still learning the ropes, and my first couple of gigs didn’t go as planned. I remember my first event where I completely underestimated the music I needed to have for the crowd. I didn’t have the right tracks, and things just didn’t click. I was disappointed, but I didn’t let it stop me. Instead of giving up, I took that experience as a lesson and committed to improving. What I’ve learned from those early struggles is the value of persistence. Every setback was an opportunity to grow, and I realized the importance of resilience not just in overcoming failure, but in improving the experience for others. Today, I take pride in not just being the DJ, but in ensuring the entire event flows smoothly, creating an experience where the music and atmosphere come together seamlessly. That ability to keep pushing forward, no matter the setbacks, has been key to my journey.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn early in my career was that it wasn’t about me—it was about the people I was serving. When I started DJing, I was young and full of confidence. I thought I had all the answers, and I assumed that being a good DJ was just about playing great music. But I quickly realized that providing a truly great event goes far beyond that. It’s about creating an experience for others, not about showcasing myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://masterdjevents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsme_joey_/

Image Credits

Alexis Briseno