We were lucky to catch up with Brittney Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brittney, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
This business started as a project in my final semester of college. We were told to create a business and marketing plan for new business – real or fictitious. At this point my husband, Chad, and I had been asked a few times to DJ some of our friends’ weddings and we realized that we really enjoyed it! I couldn’t think of another business type to build so I said “why don’t I just do it for a DJ business and we’ll go from there?” And that’s how Whole 9 Yards, Entertainment was born!
We went from 9 events in 2018 to over 40 events last year in 2024 including working with 12 new corporate clients like PepsiCo, Henkel, and Buc-ee’s!
We have taken this business from an old analog sound board with iTunes and borrowed speakers, to a business that offers full production with lighting, live sound, DJ, photo booths and special effects. The biggest part of our growth was networking. We joined a DJ Network close to us and were able to learn so much from other DJs as well as pass on knowledge that we had! Being able to talk with other business owners that know the nuances of the wedding and event DJ world was a game changer!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
If you’ve ever walked into a party and instantly felt the energy shift — lights dancing across the room, music dialed in just right, and guests already on the dance floor — chances are you’ve stepped into a W9Y Entertainment event.
W9Y Entertainment is the not-so-secret weapon behind some of the most talked-about events across the area. With a professional DJ, lighting, photo booth fun, and special effects (think cold sparks and fog machines!), W9Y doesn’t just entertain — we transform entire experiences.
It all started with a love of music and a curiosity for how the right vibe could take a space from basic to unforgettable. What began as mixing beats at small gatherings quickly evolved into full-scale productions. Now, W9Y Entertainment serves weddings, private parties, and corporate events nationwide — and no two events are ever the same.
And the photo booths? Fully branded, ultra-modern, and 100% ready for the ‘Gram. They’re interactive, customizable, and built for fun — perfect for capturing memories with a little extra sparkle (or confetti).
What really sets W9Y apart is how personal we make the process. Clients aren’t just booking services — they’re collaborating with a team that listens, gets excited for your event, and delivers every time. No boring packages. No cookie-cutter playlists. Just high-energy, fully customized entertainment that reflects your style and vision.
We are proudest of the reactions — the jaw drops when the lights kick in, the cheers when the first song hits, the post-event DMs saying “That was the best night ever.” That’s the goal. Every. Single. Time.
We want to make every event the best event. We couldn’t do basic if we tried! We want our clients, both current and future, to know that we’re just as excited for your day as you are! We can’t wait to help you create some of your best memories.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
My husband and I have followed a ministry called Grindstone Ministries for years alongside the face of Grindstone TJ “Bear” Morris with Bear Independent.
We got a marketing email from Bear Independent one day that talked about an event they were hosting in Texas. We thought wouldn’t it be fun to provide entertainment for that? So I sent off an email!
A couple days later we got the response of “thanks for reaching out but the hotel has A/V covered. We’ll keep your contact info though for future events.”
I’m sure everyone knows the *womp womp* feeling of those kinds of emails.
That following week we received an email from an organization called Kaleb House – which is a non-profit that works alongside Grindstone Ministries. They were hosting their first ever conference and ruck in Fort Smith, Arkansas and they were interested in what services we offer! *cue confetti*
After talking with their main representative and being presented to their board of directors – we were able to be the official DJ and Production Company for The Refuge Ruckus! We are so thrilled to be partnered with this amazing organization and it’s an event we look forward to every year!
We often think back to “what if I never sent that email?” We wouldn’t have the connections we have now!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
We’ve built our name on more than just high-end production—we’ve built it on trust. Clients come to us because they know we offer more than your average DJ service.
Every event we take on is a chance to create something personal and unforgettable. Whether it’s a private wedding or a national brand activation, we approach each project with the same care, creativity, and attention to detail. Our work is custom, fit perfectly to your vision, and we pride ourselves on reading the room—both literally and creatively.
Our biggest source of growth has always been word-of-mouth. We don’t just meet expectations—we exceed them, and our clients become our strongest advocates.
We’re always evolving, always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of what an event experience can be. And even as we scale nationally, we stay grounded in that boutique mindset—delivering the kind of one-on-one attention that makes every client feel like our top priority.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.w9yent.com
- Instagram: @w9yent
- Facebook: @whole9yardsent
