We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dayna “DJ Dayna” Solomon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
DJ Dayna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
The best investment I’ve made is hiring a coach! I’ve worked with a Business Coach, have an online membership of a life coaching program, and now working with a Success Coach, Business Strategist & Transformation Artist. I came to a place where I felt completely overwhelmed, burnt out, and stuck in my growth. I do have an incredible support team of mentors and colleagues, however, one of the top pieces of advice I heard repeatedly on podcasts and books I read, was to hire a coach. I was ready to receive some tough love from an expert to help me navigate through the deeper challenges of being a creative entrepreneur. Since working with the coaches, I have seen tremendous growth in all areas of my business. I surpassed my financial goal last year, I learned new concepts and methods to save time, and shifted my mindset to attract more abundance, and implemented new tools that increased my productivity. I feel more empowered, confident, authentic and on a higher vibe path of my success journey!
Dayna, 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?
I first was introduced to the world of DJing while attending college at Miami University of Ohio. I fell in with several area mic-masters and became their #1 fan. When the owner of the DJ company talked to me about trying it out, I immediately jumped at the offer. It seemed like a natural fit for me, not to mention a pretty good way to make some extra cash. The excitement and creativity I found behind the turntables was exhilarating and I started spinning at nightclubs and bars, as well as private and campus events. To compliment my live shows, I joined the college radio station to cohost a weekend music show. After graduation, I continued to spin on the weekends while pursuing a career in TV broadcasting. I moved out to Los Angeles to continue to pursue my dream, but to help pay the bills I also subcontracted as a DJ/ MC/Interactive Dancer on the weekends. After years of challenges, failures, few successes, an empty bank account, a broken heart, and an overwhelming feeling of being lost, I decided it was time for a major change. I reluctantly packed up my things and moved back to the cornfields and green flatlands of Ohio. Little did I know that moving back to Ohio would be a big blessing and one of the best decisions I would ever make! While I was doing my “soul searching,” I stepped back into being a DJ and started booking events on my own. Eventually, I realized that becoming an entrepreneur as a full-time DJ/MC would be extremely gratifying on many levels. Thus, I took a leap of faith and here I am 10 years later running a highly successful solo-op entertainment business. I like to call myself a Music Mixologist and Events Host specializing in special events, corporate events/conferences, and weddings. I serve clients here in Ohio and around the US at destination events. I creatively enhance each event experience to make it feel fresh, high vibe, and unique because I believe the soundtrack of every event is an opportunity to create magical musical connections and memories for years to come… The newest addition to my entertainment services is I offer Fusion Beats, which is a DJ + live musician combo. I collaborate with an electric violinist, saxophonist, and drummer. People are amazed by the sound and energy it creates! It transforms the entire vibe of an event.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
These books and podcasts have helped me a lot on my entrepreneurial journey:
1) Atomic Habits by James Clear
2) The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
3) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
4) The Long Game by Dorie Clark
5) Entrepreneurs on Fire with John Lee Dumas – Podcast
6) The SimplyBe. Podcast
7) On Purpose with Jay Shetty Podcast
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is having a vision and being able to bring it to life with your natural talents and gifts and share it with the world to live out your purpose and most authentic life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.djdayna.com
- Instagram: @djdayna
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daynaksolomon/
- Other: email: dayna@djdayna.com
Image Credits
Ian Alexander Photography, Photo 243, Picture the Love, Dale McDonald Photography, Jake Klein Photography