Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Smith.

Hi Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I grew up around audio and musical entertainment at church. My dad was a videographer and AV professional and eventually started filming weddings and stage productions. I gravitated towards the technical side of things and loved helping run sound for different events or filming a live performance. Over time I gradually took a liking to karaoke and hosting events. After many requests to do private events I ended up DJing one of my friends weddings and completely fell in love with all of it. It felt really good to be a part of such a special event that will be remembered for a lifetime. It felt like there was meaning behind what I was doing. Ever since then I knew exactly what I wanted to do and decided to go into business helping people achieve their dreams. It has become a passion that I now live, eat, and breathe. Constantly learning more and striving to be better because my clients deserve the best.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Nothing worthwhile comes easy or overnight. Especially when starting a business in such a niche industry. I started at the bottom with some old equipment and an idea. Drawing from my experience and being extremely observant, I quickly learned that my market is saturated and it’s going to take time and patience to make a name for myself. I’ve adopted a drive to always be learning in order to stand out. One really becomes a jack of all trades when starting a business. Not only do you have to be able to DJ but you also need to learn how to manage a business, taxes, marketing, web design, coding, I.T., software, etc. One thing that has made things a little easier is networking with likeminded professionals. It’s one of the greatest joys in my life to have met so many wonderful DJs who are caring, supportive, and want to see people succeed. My hope is to help other DJs down the road when it’s my time to become the mentor.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I’m a wedding and private event DJ that specializes in weddings. I provide equipment for music and speech along with the knowledge to operate everything. What people might not understand is that they aren’t just paying for speakers and microphones. They are paying for the years of experience and practice put in over time. I go beyond the booth and offer a client portal that makes it easier to plan as well as communicate with key vendors to ensure a smooth event. One thing that sets me apart from others is the amount of care and effort taken to provide my services. I am constantly learning and perfecting different strategies to make sure my clients have the best event possible.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?

Being a DJ is all about taking risks! Ceremonies, important speeches, dance parties, and other memorable experiences are all risks to DJs. We risk our reputation, skills, and the quality experience our equipment can provide. If anything goes wrong all heads are turning toward the DJ and it’s a really unpleasant experience. People’s most important moments are entrusted to us and we take it very seriously (at least I do).
Personally I think a little risk is worth it. When I fist started, I had to take a little financial risk by taking on some debt to get proper equipment to DJ. At times it can be a little bit of a risk and sacrifice because you have to live a little tighter but it was worth it because it got me up and rolling! Making small risks means that you’re committed and I think that’s a good thing (within reason).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://LevelUpMEevents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djryanlume/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanSmithLUME