We recently connected with Ardell Wright and have shared our conversation below.
Ardell , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
To answer the initial question, yes. I think about how it would be if I started when I get this idea at 15 verses my mid to late 20s. I also wish I had someone to guide me in the direction of using my creative imagination. I officially started around age 25 or 26, I was just fired from a corporate job making decent money and I was a little traumatized about being let go even though I was performing at a high level. I think if i would’ve started sooner I definitely would be a lot further in my business endeavors and my career. I think my some of my most challenging experiences and challenges would’ve came early if I started sooner. However, because I did start a little later I was able to scale rather quickly because of the knowledge I already had.
Ardell , 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?
Well I am a man of many trades, but my love and passion are creating and curation which has gifted me the ability to be a great DJ, Media Figure, and Entrepreneur. Around 2014-2015 I was called in for an interview on an internet radio station in New Jersey. I instantly fell in love with doing it and was asked to come back time and time again until the owner asked me to help with the day-to-day operations. From there I started my own lifestyle company Upsouth Collective and landed a job in Florida as an On-Air Personality, Assistant Program Director and DJ. Upon losing my job there do to the pandemic I just buried myself in the world of DJing and fell in love with the process of creating vibes and controlling rooms with my song selection, blends and transitions. If I had to say a problem I solve it’s that for at least 4 hours I make you forget about all your worries, trials and tribulations and just have a good time. I think that’s what I’m most proud of. The fact that people can walk in in a bad mood and leave in a great mood and I had a part in that. What sets me apart from other DJ’s is that I make an effort to bring the sexy to it. I’m going to dress the part, interact, play the music to make you go “Oh that’s my sh*t!”. I also approach my craft as an entity. I have mixes online for streaming pleasure on different platforms, I have merch, a liquor sponsor and a brand that says grown and sexy. But I definitely want to give A LOT of love to all the dope DJs out there because contrary to popular belief, being a good DJ is not easy.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Of course, just as recently as the pandemic. In 2019 I had it all figured out and DJing was merely a hobby. The, BOOM I was let go with no other options really and it’s funning how the timing works because as I was getting good at it people started requesting virtual shows and I came out of the pandemic booked for pretty much every weekend of the year and the evolution has been fun and pretty mind-blowing actually.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Ok so for me it was all about adding value. People buy into you when you give them these 4 things. Something to help them survive, something for of entertainment, something to educate them, and if you give them convenience. If you can’t do all four pick one or two and get really good at it. Also, you have to sprinkle some personality in there as well. for instance I personally hate when I see people who use their personal page (without a business page) but all they have on there is business. If your business causes you to be in the front then show some lifestyle to relate with your target audience. AND BE YOURSELF!
Contact Info:
- Website: upsouthcollective.com
- Instagram: @ardellwrightnow
- Twitter: @ardellwrightnow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmJJpGqP8UQTlb04qjDTdaA