Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christopher Oropeza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christopher, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I first began the Idea of starting my own DJ business in late 2018. I first began my professional DJ career in 1999. The same year I graduated High School. I worked for, at the time, one of the only Nationwide DJ company’s in the US. I retired in 2016 after 17 years and countless awards and recognitions. I was the most requested DJ for 15 of those years. If I started my company right after I would maybe be busier and have more reviews on Google. I probably would have more networking meetings than I have currently. I have no regrets though. I enjoyed the time I spent with my kids during my retirement. I was supposed to start my business when I started it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a professional Wedding & Events DJ, I make sure to offer my clientele a wide range of musical services to suit their unique needs and provide customizable choices they’re sure to love. I am constantly adding more music to my repertoire and always consult with my clients to make sure they’re happy with the song choices. It’s creating a complete plan for their special day. It’s about coordinating to make sure each client is getting a unique event. It’s shooting great photos, capturing compelling videos, and providing the perfect soundtrack. Classy, modern, and proven memorable since 1999. I can tell you I never planned to become a DJ. I was influenced by music my whole life. My father listened to Santana and Mostly 70’s Rock, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Eric Clapton. My mother listened to Mexican Music real Mariachi sounds and Linda Ronstadt. As a kid, growing up every weekend morning when we woke up my mother would play Mexican music and we all knew it was time to clean the house. In the mid-90s we had lived in Olathe for about 5 or 6 years now from Rosedale, Ks in Wyandotte. My brother was influenced by the Hip-Hop revolution of the late 80s and early 90s and he began to DJ locally at a Club in Olathe. I never saw him in action but I was envious of his tape collection. He had hundreds of tapes (yes cassettes) all Hip-Hop. I knew he had hundreds cause he numbered them and had 2 or 3 full dresser drawers full and in order. Today I still have the majority of his tapes in my music collection.
Growing up in the early 90s I became a master of mix tapes. I started recording from the radio during hot mix nights. Soon I was borrowing my brother’s tapes. Every week he had a new row of tapes from New and Established artists. I would play my tapes on my boombox at the back of the bus before and after school, during parties, and Friday and Saturday nights with friends. I was making party mixes and slow mixes and then just chill mixes. I was able to determine and separate genres before I knew anything about them. My ear for good music and sound came from hearing and listening to all genres and styles available. When I graduated from High School in 1999 I wanted to try some new adventures. I was job hunting and came across an Ad looking to hire Fun and Entertaining People. I thought that was me. So I called the number not knowing the full details and set up an Interview.
My Entertainment career started professionally in 1999 at the time the only nationwide DJ company in the U.S. named Complete Music. When I began with Complete Music we were trained by other DJs that worked there. I remember my trainers the 2 I had and then I was sent out on my own. Soon after a while, I trained a bunch of Complete Music DJs that are still employed there today and one has been the Manager for a decade during my tenure and after. My first year was mostly getting threw my weddings I had not quite discovered my talent and passion for the business. I was mainly focused on not making a mistake or disrupting their special day. My events were great nights and happy memories created. I kept going out every weekend and I got really good. In early 2001 I was perfecting my craft and began receiving requests from new clients and reception halls were referring me to their clients. Soon I was 1 of 19 other DJs on Complete Music’s DJ list that only went out all the time. My reviews were getting all 5’s and I was awarded for the first time Most Generator Bookings in 2001. I had some help however in September 2001, 6 days before 9/11, I was hired as the Formalwear Consultant for The Men’s Wearhouse in Olathe. The new location was only 6 months old at the time. Basically, I was in charge of the Tuxedo Rental part of the store. They gave me the responsibility for the entire store. It was new to the company and no one wanted to deal with the wedding couples for the rented attire. I already had experience in the wedding business so I knew the expectations of the clients and their families. It went hand and hand with me being a wedding DJ. I referred myself to every couple that walked in the door to rent Tuxedos for their BIG day. From about 2002 until 2007 when I left The Men’s Wearhouse I was the DJ for about 30% of the couples I rented to. My generated bookings skyrocketed. I was getting bookings for Friday weddings, every Saturday, and a lot of Sunday weddings. At times I was double booked but still received credit for Generated bookings when they still booked A Complete Music DJ. When the phone rang at my company my boss said it was a 50% chance it was to request or to book me. I began doing more ceremonies and learning a new skill by perfectly planning ceremonies and receptions. I was doing about 80-90 weddings a year.
I worked with them for 17 years and built valuable relationships with local vendors and the talk of the town amongst Bridal social networks. I retired in 2016 to come out of retirement months later to work for Mic King Music a former Complete Music DJ. I was with him for 2 years until when I opened my own DJ company in early 2018. During that 19-year career, I have entertained at over 1300 events and was my company’s branch’s most requested DJ for 14 years. I took pride in my events and made sure my clients are the center of attention for their special day. To this day the quality of my events has never diminished. Neither has the excitement I feel when I meet a new couple to plan the most important day of their life. I specialize in music entertainment for a variety of events and parties. One reason I can perform for a wide range of event types is that I’ve mastered an array of materials in a wide spectrum of musical styles. I’m flexible and accommodating for virtually every music type and event.  Whether they are planning a wedding, corporate event, bar mitzvah, birthday, or any event involving music I can help you create your perfect event.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I was at The Sheraton in Overland Park in 2004 I believe. They had a huge hall that could be split into different-sized venues for busy nights. That evening there were 5 other events. 3 on my level and 2 downstairs. After the formalities and first dances, it was time to open the dance floor and get to work. Playing requests and keeping the dance floor packed. Outside however a storm front rolled into our location and it was severe. We could hear the rumbles of thunder during the low parts of the song and then the inevitable happened. Our building was struck by a bolt of lightning and killed the power. Everyone was fine and no damage occurred but all the lights were and the power was out and all we had was emergency lights. So as the family and couple went to the hallway to talk with management and I was there with all the guests. At that time we had a questionnaire that was filled out by the couple that had information all bout them and how they met and fell in love. I took that questionnaire and stood on a chair in the middle of the dance floor and began asking the guests questions about them to see who knew them best. It was about 30-45 minutes of laughter, improvisation, and more stories and smiles. The next thing we knew the power was back on and I continued the party. The family and couple were happy to have power and that little to no guests have left for the night. In the KC office, I worked out of, we had 19 other DJs that were all out doing their own weddings at other locations but I had 1 of our DJs next door and another company next to him. I went to check on them to see how the party was and both rooms were empty. Not only did the DJ do nothing to keep them there but they had already packed up and left for the night. I became the Sheraton’sfavorite DJ and they mentioned me to the majority of couples that booked their venue.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients has been Wedding Wire and The Knot.com. Facebook is a good generator but not as these websites.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://djchrisokc.wixsite.com/website
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djchrisokck/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6l5kHyYHNw

Image Credits
All photos by Chris Oropreza