Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrew Langsam. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Andrew, appreciate you joining us today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?
When I first started my business in 2003 it was just me, a CD player, microphone and a couple of speakers. I used to store my PA equipment under a staircase of a tiny one bedroom apartment that my then girlfriend, now wife shared together. I would spend my days hustling from the minute I woke up until late in the evening. There was not a gig that I wouldn’t take, a venue that I wouldn’t visit or potential vendor that I didn’t schmooze while trying to grow my business. In order to scale, I eventually began interviewing potential performers (DJs, MCs, Dancers). If I thought that they would make a good fit, had the right attitude and could be a great team player I would hire them. It didn’t matter if they had experience or not. In fact 90% of my current team had little to no experience in the my industry. I hand picked and trained them to (some extent) be carbon copies of the MC/DJ persona that I created. I gave them plenty of low stakes opportunities to become great and eventually create their own persona and build their own following. I currently have a staff of over 20 people and can handle up to 5 events simultaneously on any given evening.
Andrew, 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?
Back in the mid 90s while in college, I was also a professional actor appearing in Commercials, Soap Operas and theater in LA and New York. It was during that time that I was introduced to the music and events industry and given the opportunity to try my hand at it. I was surprised and inspired by the creativity, and connections that industry had to offer. It wasn’t long before I developed a following of loyal clients and vendors that lead to more and more opportunities. In 2003 I took a leap of faith and started to operate independently. We have been burning up dance floors in So Cal ever since.
Get in the Groove Entertainment is an event DJ service based in West Hills, CA. Our friendly and experienced team has been DJing events in Los Angeles for decades, and brings an upbeat, enthusiastic, and meticulous professionalism to our work. From elegant ceremonies to raucous receptions, we are proud to accompany parties of all styles and sizes. Get in the Groove Entertainment offers a range of add-ons to help make your Bar Mitzvah, Wedding or Special event as fun and personalized as possible. These include dance-floor lighting, decor up-lighting, custom graphics, dancers, and even a audio-visual solutions. A photo booth with unlimited printing, and props is also available for your guests to make memories throughout the night. Our team believes your celebration should be unforgettable, and we provide a comprehensive service to ensure that it lives up to your wildest dreams.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
2020 was a precarious time for our industry. Since Covid-19 made it impossible to gather together, DJing a live event was also impossible. Therefore we had to come up with alternative solutions in order to stay afloat and pay the bills. Virtual Parties, Officiating small weddings and providing AV and digital assets to outdoor ceremonies we’re just a few of the pivots we made. We also stayed relevant on social media by doing online giveaways and contests and spent a lot of laying the ground work for what would eventually be a very busy and fruitful return to live events.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Building a good reputation in any industry is not rocket science. Proving a quality service at a competitive price is a good start. But in order to experience longevity, you need to be honest and fair with your clients or customers, your vendors as well as your employees. Build a quality team of professional and like-minded people that you can not only teach but learn from as well. Develop professional relationships, with vendors in your given field. Handle your finances and pay your bills on time. Continue to learn, read, speak about your industry. Be an effective leader and inspire others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getinthegroovedjs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getinthegroovedjs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getinthegroovedjs
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/get-in-the-groove-entertainment-los-angeles?osq=Get+in+the+groove+Entertainemnt&override_cta=Get+pricing
Image Credits
Wachsman-Staley Michael Delamonte Innis Casey