We recently connected with Bryant Thompson and have shared our conversation below.

Bryant, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Bryant Thompson – Founder, Red Level Entertainment
Red Level Entertainment was never just a business idea it was born out of a real-life moment that changed everything.
Back in 2000, six of us, some strangers, some friends, piled into a car in Chicago and road-tripped to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. That trip changed my life. We ended up at a party with over 1,000 people, and I remember standing there thinking, “Yo… somebody put this together. Somebody’s making money off this.” That’s when the hustler in me kicked in. I’ve always been numbers-driven, and the math made sense, if you can pack a room and create a vibe, you can make real money. Why not bring that energy back to Chicago?
On the ride back home, a few of us decided to launch a promotions group. Once I got back and started sharing the idea, we brought in a fourth partner and formed 360 Entertainment. We threw our first party… and honestly? It was a bust. Two of the partners fell off right after that.
But me and one other partner had the passion. We stuck with it, learned the game, and started understanding the ins and outs of nightlife and promotions. From that foundation, Red Level Entertainment was born.
The name and brand came from an idea, to bring a red carpet experience to everyday events. Back then, unless it was an award show or big industry event, you didn’t see step & repeats, velvet ropes, or spotlights. We brought that Hollywood energy to local events in Chicago, creating moments that made people feel seen, important, and fly.
Our first breakout moment was a weekly comedy showcase, and that’s when I fell in love with comedy. It wasn’t just about partying anymore. It was about culture, creativity, and giving people something they didn’t even know they were missing.
Fast forward to 2003, my partner moved to Dallas and started promoting out there. I helped manage their email list while building mine back in Chicago. Around that time, email marketing was just becoming a thing, and I jumped on it early. We started growing our audience fast. I realized this wasn’t just for events, this was a whole business model.
By 2005, I took a leap of faith and went full-time with Red Level Entertainment. No safety net, no backup plan, just hustle, purpose, and a belief in what we were building. And I’ve been running this business successfully ever since.
As we evolved, the vision expanded. I launched www.redlevelentertainment.com to help event promoters and Black-owned businesses drive awareness and ticket sales in the top 20 African American markets across the country. But we didn’t stop there, we built partnerships with print shops in Chicago and nationwide to help our clients with everything from flyers and banners to backdrops and business cards.
And then we saw another lane, restroom ad frames in high-traffic restaurants and clubs. It gave our clients guaranteed visibility in spaces where people actually stop and pay attention. So now, with email marketing, print, and captive in-venue advertising, we became a one-stop marketing engine for the culture.
And through it all, we never stopped promoting events, because staying in the mix keeps us tapped into the streets. It’s how we know what’s relevant. What’s new. What’s next.
Red Level Entertainment started with a road trip and a vision. Now it’s a movement. Built by the culture, for the culture, and I’m proud to still be here, 20+ years later, helping our people win.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Bryant Thompson – Founder, Red Level Entertainment
For those who may not know me yet, I’m Bryant Thompson, the founder and engine behind Red Level Entertainment. I’ve been in this game for over two decades, wearing every hat from promoter and marketer to strategist, print broker, and creative director. I started this journey not from a textbook or a business plan, but from real-life experiences, real people, and a real desire to help the culture thrive.
My introduction to the industry started back in 2000 after a road trip from Chicago to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. That experience opened my eyes to the power of events, community, and promotion. I realized then that somebody was behind the scenes making these events happen, and making money doing it. The math made sense, and the energy was magnetic. That trip sparked the fire that eventually led to Red Level Entertainment.
What is Red Level Entertainment?
At our core, we’re a Black-owned marketing and entertainment company that helps businesses, brands, and event organizers increase awareness, build credibility, and drive sales, without wasting money on platforms that don’t speak to our people. We do this through a combination of:
• Email marketing (to a database of 20K+ targeted subscribers)
• Printing and promotional materials (flyers, banners, business cards, and more)
• Captive in-venue advertising (ad frames installed in restrooms of high-traffic restaurants and lounges)
• Business directory and event listings on www.redlevelentertainment.com
• Event promotions and branded experiences (comedy shows, cigar events, Black business expos, and more)
We’re not just a company that makes noise, we make impact.
What sets us apart is that we’re in the trenches with our community. I’m not some exec sitting in a glass office handing down orders, I’m boots-on-the-ground, talking to business owners, showing up to events, and helping everyday entrepreneurs get seen and heard in an oversaturated market. When you work with Red Level, you’re not getting a cookie-cutter service. You’re getting a tailored strategy that makes sense for your audience.
And the thing I’m most proud of? Longevity.
I’ve been able to support myself, and now my family, for over 20 years doing what I love. I’ve built this business from the ground up with no investors, just hustle, relationships, and a commitment to serve. I’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of clients promote their businesses, fill their events, and grow their brand visibility in ways that feel authentic, strategic, and culturally relevant.
Red Level Entertainment is not just a brand, it’s a movement.
It’s about creating platforms for our people to shine.
It’s about blending culture and commerce, strategy and soul, and helping our community win.
If you’re a business owner, promoter, brand, or organization trying to get your message out, I want you to know:
• I see you.
• I know what it’s like to grind.
• And I built this platform for you.
Let’s work.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Bryant Thompson – Founder, Red Level EntertainmentYeah, I’ve had a few books that really shifted how I think, not just about business, but about how I live, how I build, and how I serve my community through Red Level.“The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss hit me hard early on. It showed me that freedom was the goal, not just money. That book planted the seed for building a business that didn’t require me to be in the room 24/7. It’s what pushed me to start automating, outsourcing, and using systems like email marketing and CRM workflows to work smarter, not harder. I didn’t want to just run Red Level—I wanted to own my time.“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki taught me to stop thinking like a worker and start thinking like an investor. That book was foundational. It reframed how I looked at income, assets, and debt. I realized I had been conditioned to hustle for money, but real power comes from owning systems, owning data, and owning platforms—like Red Level’s email list, print partnerships, and advertising network.“$100M Offers” by Alex Hormozi helped me level up how I package what I do. I’ve always known I bring value, but that book broke down how to position your offer so crazy that people feel dumb saying no. It helped me think bigger, price better, and stop playing small with the value we bring to the table.Honestly, these books didn’t just inspire me—they gave me tools. And I’ve applied every single one of them in real-time while building Red Level Entertainment from a two-man promotions hustle into a full-blown marketing agency serving Black-owned businesses and event promoters across the country.And the best part? I’m still learning, still building, and still applying new game every day. That’s what keeps me sharp.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Bryant Thompson – Founder, Red Level EntertainmentMan… I’ve had to pivot more than once. But one moment that really stands out is when I decided to shift from throwing events full-time to focusing on marketing services—specifically email marketing.I had been promoting events for years, comedy shows, parties, cigar events, you name it. And we were good at it. But around 2010, things started to shift. Venue costs were going up, people were becoming more selective about what they spent money on, and honestly, I was getting burned out chasing door sales every weekend.What most folks didn’t see behind the scenes was that while we were promoting events, I had quietly been building one of the most powerful tools in my business, my email list.
That list was converting. I could press “send” and move tickets. Promote a Black-owned business and see them get clicks. That’s when it hit me: the real asset wasn’t the event—it was the audience.So instead of chasing nightlife dollars, I leaned all the way into helping other businesses tap into that list. I became a marketer, not just a promoter. I built strategic partnerships with printers, and added SMS, ad frames, even website listings—because I knew folks needed more than just flyers. They needed full-blown visibility.And here’s the thing: that pivot saved my business. It gave Red Level a sustainable lane. It allowed me to work with clients in Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and beyond—without always having to be on the ground. And most importantly, it allowed me to serve our people in a more impactful way.The lesson? Don’t be afraid to shift. What starts as a side hustle might be the main thing. Pay attention to what’s working and where the real value is. That’s how you stay in the game.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.redlevelentertainment.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redlevelevents1/?__pwa=1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedLevelEntertainment
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/redlevelevents1/