We were lucky to catch up with Adjoa Edzie recently and have shared our conversation below.
Adjoa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My journey began at Jam’n 94.5, a popular Boston radio station where I worked as a receptionist. I was constantly asked, “How can I get a DJ for my event?” This sparked an idea, and I proposed creating an in-house DJ service at the station. With the support of the Marketing Director, I brought this vision to life and ran the service for almost five years.
After leaving the radio station, the demand for DJ connections persisted. It was then that I realized the opportunity to create something bigger. I pursued an MBA, immersing myself in entrepreneurship classes and even studying abroad in China to learn from the best.
During my final semester, my classmates and I developed Beatzdirect, an online DJ booking platform. It was a success, earning us an impressive grade and igniting my passion for taking it further. That’s when Gruuvv was born. I set out to make Gruuvv a reality. I applied for pitch competitions, armed only with my pitch deck and a great idea. Winning first place and receiving cash prize confirmed the potential of Gruuvv.
Using the prize money, I laid the groundwork for Gruuvv and committed myself to building a platform that would revolutionize the way DJs are booked for events.
Adjoa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of music to create unforgettable moments. At Gruuvv, we understand that each event is unique, with its own vibe and atmosphere. That’s why we take the time to truly listen and understand our customers’ vision.
Our cutting-edge online platform connects customers with a curated selection of talented DJs for various events. From weddings to social gatherings, corporate functions, and nonprofit organization events, we have a diverse range of exceptional DJs ready to make your event unforgettable.
What sets Gruuvv apart is our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and customer satisfaction. We understand that different events call for different musical styles and cultural influences. Whether you’re looking for a DJ specializing in Bollywood and Bhangra for an Indian wedding or Salsa and Merengue for a lively Quinceañera, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit.
One aspect I’m incredibly proud of is the impact Gruuvv has on both our customers and DJs. Let me share a recent story with you. We had an organization reach out to us for a special event honoring black women in media. They needed a female DJ of color for their pre-Grammy brunch event in Vegas. Although we didn’t have any DJs available in the area, we took to our Gruuvv socials to find the perfect match. Through our community, we connected with an amazing DJ who delivered an unforgettable experience, receiving rave reviews from the event hosts.
Witnessing the joy and satisfaction of our customers when they find the perfect DJ is incredibly rewarding. We are equally committed to the success and growth of our DJs. We create networking events and opportunities for them to learn from each other, practice their craft, and build a supportive community. We want to see our DJs thrive.
Our commitment goes beyond just entertainment. We aim to create an enchanting ambiance that brings people together, elevating celebrations to new heights. Music has the power to spark emotions, connect individuals, and leave an indelible impression.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I first embarked on the journey of launching “Gruuvv,” I had nothing but an idea and a lean business plan. It was during one casual email check that I stumbled upon an opportunity to enter a pitch contest. Without hesitation, I applied, and to my surprise, I won my first pitch night. Encouraged by this initial success, I continued to pursue other pitch competitions and experienced more victories along the way.
However, my enthusiasm was met with a setback when I applied to the “EforAall” accelerator and received my first rejection. It was a wake-up call for me to reassess my approach. I took the time to read the feedback provided and realized that I had failed to effectively convey my research, experience, and passion for the product in my application. I had taken the opportunity for granted, assuming my knowledge would speak for itself.
Determined not to repeat the same mistake, I approached subsequent applications with renewed dedication. I poured my heart and soul into showcasing the true potential of Gruuvv, leaving no room for complacency. This time, my efforts paid off, and I was thrilled to be accepted into the next cohort.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson about seizing every opportunity and never underestimating the importance of putting forth my best effort. I have learned to value each chance to share my vision and have become more adept at articulating the unique qualities of Gruuvv that set us apart. I am grateful for the lessons learned and remain committed to building a successful and impactful venture.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
My business has been entirely bootstrapped so far, and it all began with my first $2000 prize from a pitch competition. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate to receive thousands of dollars in AWS cloud credits, which have been invaluable for an online platform like Gruuvv. The rest of the funding comes from my other business, an income property I’ve owned for the last 7 years. I’ve been successfully running Gruuvv this way for the past 2 years, but I’ve reached a point where I want to scale and expand the platform further.
Realizing the need for outside funding to grow Gruuvv, I started applying for grants and fellowships. Recently, I secured my first 10k grant from the Visible Hands VHBOS program, which I will use to build more traction for Gruuvv. As we continue to grow and gain momentum, I plan to leverage this traction to seek angel and venture capital investments for a larger-scale funding round that will enable us to accelerate our growth and take Gruuvv to new heights. With newfound funding, I aim to hire additional talented team members, enhance and update the platform’s features, and invest in strategic marketing efforts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gruuvv.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsgruuvv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GRUUVV
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gruuvv/?viewAsMember=true