We were lucky to catch up with Alexis Walters recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alexis, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Closing in on 10 years of working in entertainment I wanted to create something that was bigger than Walters The Don. Something that could help me share the joy I had experienced this far in my career. But more importantly something that could help elevate others and give them a platform the same way my mentors did for me when i first started my music journey.

After successfully working solo for all of my Dj career I decided to build a collective called Yes Good Pony. An idea that sprouted after meeting with talented hit-maker Mark Valenzuela (ill.45) at our favorite pho restaurant in town. The idea was to unify and create culture and community in our home town of Tucson Arizona through the magic of music. I assembled a team of 6 creatives in my circle and got to work.

Yes Good Pony Collective now operates as a community that gives power back to artists and local vendors by curating events around town. We’ve successfully built our own economy and have found ways to fund artists and their music releases through warehouse shows, club takeovers or through collaborative efforts with our family over Ape House Entertainment and Visionary House Market.

We are 250 members strong and have been able to create something that no club, bar, or corporate space can pull the plug on. Together we have created a safe space for our community members and a thriving money making machine that is pushing the Electronic music scene and its artists to new plateaus. We are stronger together and have managed to create something that is bigger than me. We have created something that is all about us.

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

I am Walters The Don, a DJ and Producer, recognized for my significant impact on nightlife and the electronic music scene in the Southwest. My career has recently included support sets for well-known artists like Steve Aoki, Kaskade, Hugel, DJ Pauly D, Sak Noel, amongst many more. My style is known for blending club anthems with heavy basslines, which has taken me to international stages in Mexico and across Arizona.

My musical journey began at 14 when I started recording songs with friends using a Rockband microphone. With a foundation in hip hop, I produced beats for Arizona rappers and singers, but eventually discovered a passion for electronic music, particularly Tech House and Bass House. My passion for Djing came from frequenting a local bar called Highwire lounge after late night studio sessions at the infamous Pennington Studios in Downtown Tucson. Under the guidance and mentorship of Dj Apprentice (Jose Hernandez), Kid Kutz (Eric Baray), and Mike Rodriguez and watching my personal favorites Big Brother Beats, Mother Tierra, Table Manners, MGM, Smashlames, and Dj Herm, I developed a strong passion for Djing and all that the world of entertainment had to offer.

Professionally, I started working in digital marketing at iHeartMedia pulling in millions of views and impressions for our radio stations online. After a quick 2 years of well recognized hard work from Steve Earnheart, Rameen Madini and Atzimba Palomares from iHeartMedia I eventually became the youngest Latino executive producer for TCR Radio, which aired on over 50 stations nationwide. After a year and a half of working alongside the incredibly talented Tino Cochino, Dj Nicasio and Raquel Marquez of TCR and YEA Networks my career continued to flourish as I was scouted and contracted to work for Apple Music New York, where I played a crucial role in building and launching the first ever free radio station for Apple, Apple Music Hits alongside Melanie Morgan, Jayde Donovan, Corrin Burrlow and Angelica Garcia.

Coming from a low income immigrant household my goal to become financially stable for my family had finally become my reality. Thanks to my success in the professional and corporate world I was fortunate enough to help buy my mom a house and put my grandmother who raised me to a comfortable rest.

I feel as if all of the good things that could possibly happen to a person in my field happened to me. Everything from my mentors to my bosses and friends that helped me build nights and my incredible community in Tucson Arizona. After my contract with apple music ended I decided to step away from radio and realigned my vision of becoming an artist and released my debut single Do You Like Me Ft. Marlo Lopez alongside my best friend Tarzi Tarz who I first began this music journey with 14 years ago on that Rockband mic.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

When you’re truly passionate about what you’re doing, that passion drives you toward your purpose. At that level of desire, no obstacle can block your path; it will naturally carve out the way for you. I believe in following my heart and making the most of my time because, in the end, time is all we really have. The challenge, though, is to enjoy the creative journey and recognize that you’re already on the journey .

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

Yes, my favorite book The Go-Giver gifted to me by Atzimba Palomares, my former boss at Iheartmedia.

The book emphasizes the importance of generosity and a giving mindset in achieving success. The book tells the story of Joe, a young, ambitious salesman who is struggling to meet his sales targets and is desperate for success.

Joe meets Pindar who introduces him to five “laws of stratospheric success.” These laws shift Joe’s focus from getting to giving, emphasizing how providing value to others leads to success in both business and life.

The five laws are:

The Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment. Success comes from offering extraordinary value to others.

The Law of Compensation: Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them. The more lives you touch, the more successful you will be.

The Law of Influence: Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first. Building a network of goodwill and trust is essential.

The Law of Authenticity: The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself. Genuine relationships and authenticity are key to long-term success.

The Law of Receptivity: The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving. To give effectively, you must also be willing to receive.

Throughout the book, Joe applies these laws to his own life, discovering that success isn’t about self-interest but about helping others succeed. By shifting his focus from getting to giving, it not only helps you reach your professional goals but also helps find a deeper fulfillment in our personal life.
The Go-Giver teaches that success comes not from selfish ambition but from a focus on adding value to others, fostering meaningful relationships, and being open to the flow of giving and receiving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WaltersTheDon.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/waltersthedon
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/yesgoodpony
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/waltersthedon
• Other: my collectives wesbite and instagram

  YesGoodPony.com

  Instagram.com/yesgoodpony

Image Credits

Alina Victoria

Felicia Ngan

Luminara Gonzalez