Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Martin Arredondo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Martin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

What my business does differently than the industry standard is that we prioritize the client and their music taste. My clients and I work together to craft their wedding day playlist and make music the priority of their event. Everyone has been to a wedding or event with a Bad Dj who played for themselves and didn’t read the room, we stray away from that. As a veteran club DJ, I understand the importance of the right song at the right time, combined with seamless mixing to keep the energy on the dancefloor high. Ultimately, through my business, I aim to serve as many people as possible while positively impacting the world, challenging the stereotype that event DJs have to be corny.

Martin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Martin, and I have been running my business, Dazzle Events, for the past six years. I started DJing in high school 15 years ago and have been dedicated to my craft ever since. My love for music stems from its incredible ability to bring together people from all backgrounds, ages, and races. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Finance and a minor in Engineering. After graduating, I worked for two years at Deloitte as an Advisory Risk Consultant. When I looked forward to my DJ sets and weekends far more than my corporate role, I realized I wanted to pursue my passion for music full-time, so I left Deloitte and founded Dazzle Events.
Since making that decision, I have never looked back, and my passion for my career has only grown. I take great joy in working with my clients, knowing that I play a role in creating one of the most significant days of their lives—it’s both a daunting and rewarding responsibility. I became an entrepreneur because I enjoy the daily problem-solving challenges it presents. Each day brings new obstacles, and I love finding creative solutions. Additionally, the freedom that comes with entrepreneurship is invaluable to me. I appreciate the flexibility to create my schedule and be available to the people I care about most.

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

I take immense pride in my business for several reasons. As the child of an immigrant single mother who does not speak English, I see myself as an outlier. Statistically, I should have become a gang member or a drug user; yet, I have consistently defied the odds. At 13, I lost 110 pounds through determination and hard work. By 14, I gained admission to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, an institution I had dreamed of attending since I was 10. At 15, I joined Minds Matter, an after-school ACT preparation and mentorship program. This organization opened doors for me, allowing me to attend prestigious summer programs at Phillips Exeter Academy and volunteer in Costa Rica. At 18, I earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Illinois to study business. During my time there, I secured internships with PWC and Robert W. Baird & Co. After graduation, I joined Deloitte, where I worked for two years. The summer before I started, I traveled to 10 countries, all financed through my own savings. After two years at Deloitte, I took the bold step of starting my own business, funded entirely by my savings and a frugal lifestyle. My business brought in close to six figures in revenue during its first year, starting with an initial investment of just $5,000.
My greatest achievement lies in my unwavering resolve and resilience to turn any goal into reality. I possess a relentless drive that fuels my journey, setting me apart and guiding me forward.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, my business faced challenges and had to shut down. I pivoted to the financial services industry, seizing the opportunity to obtain my Life and Health Insurance licenses, as well as my Series 7 and 66 licenses. Although my journey as a financial advisor didn’t pan out, I returned to my first love: music. I am now wholeheartedly dedicated to my business and its success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dazzlechi.com
• Instagram: @dazzlechi and @djmayhemchi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dazzlechi
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinarredondonevarez/
• Twitter: @djmayhemchi
• Other: mixcloud:

  https://www.mixcloud.com/djmayhemchi/