We were lucky to catch up with Corey Peterson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Corey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

My journey from a solo saxophonist to a luxury entertainment business specializing in DJs, musicians, and event enhancements has been nothing short of a passionate odyssey fueled by a deep love for music and creating unforgettable experiences. While outsiders often perceive successful businesses as overnight sensations, our story is a testament to the years of dedication, learning, and strategic growth that transformed our vision into reality.

My lifelong affinity for music, nurtured since childhood by playing my grandparents’ piano and inspired by my mother’s drumming, laid the foundation for my career. Early experiences in middle school bands under a supportive director ignited my passion further, setting me on a path where music and celebrations intersected in a meaningful way.

The pivotal moment came when I began performing in wedding and party bands, realizing the profound impact we could have on people’s most cherished celebrations. These events weren’t just parties; they were transformative experiences where every detail mattered. Inspired by a veteran in the industry, who shared his business blueprint generously, I embraced his mentorship and adapted his strategies into a vision that resonated with my values—putting the client’s joy and satisfaction at the forefront.

Scaling our business involved meticulous planning and unwavering commitment to excellence. We diversified our offerings beyond live music to include DJs, photo booths, lighting, and special effects, each addition driven by our desire to enhance and personalize every event. The process of expanding our team was a deliberate one, focused not just on skills but also on shared values and a commitment to our client-first approach.

Every step forward was marked by challenges and learning opportunities. From navigating the complexities of client expectations at prestigious venues like the Ritz Carlton to orchestrating flawless backyard celebrations, each event was approached with the same dedication and attention to detail. Continuous research and adaptation have been integral, ensuring that we stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

Our success isn’t just about business growth; it’s about the relationships we’ve built and the memories we’ve helped create. Each event, whether large or intimate, represents a culmination of our journey—a journey rooted in passion, guided by mentorship, and driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence.

As we continue to grow, our focus remains on crafting experiences that exceed expectations, because for us, every celebration is as significant as the Super Bowl. Through it all, we’re grateful for our team, whose dedication mirrors our own, and for our clients, whose trust inspires us to innovate and elevate with every event.

This is our scaling up story—a story of passion, mentorship, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of perfection in luxury entertainment.

Corey, 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?

Welcome to our luxury entertainment company, COS Celebrations Event Group, where we specialize in creating unforgettable wedding experiences. Our offerings include exceptional DJs, talented live musicians, interactive photo booths, and exquisite lighting and design.

What sets us apart? Our DJs are not just skilled in their craft—they are musicians at heart, bringing a lifelong passion and dedication to every event. This unique blend of talent and enthusiasm ensures that each celebration is infused with an unparalleled level of artistry and energy.

Our Commitment:

We take immense pride in our team and their unwavering commitment to excellence. Their efforts are continuously recognized with glowing 5-star reviews from our clients. These heartfelt testimonials, crafted with care by our couples, reflect the profound impact our services have on their special day. Reading each new review is a moving experience, showcasing the genuine care and humility that defines our team.

Couple’s choose us to transform their wedding into a masterpiece of luxury and entertainment. With our passion and expertise, we promise to make your celebration truly extraordinary.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I know it was going to take some time to build the relationships to get on venues preferred vendor lists, and to be recommended by other event pros. So had to figure out where I was going to advertise and market first. Some of the avenues I was looking at required contracts that exceeded tens of thousands of dollars. So it was going to be a huge leap of faith. We dove in.

I got the funds together by playing pretty much every day and a lot of times multiple gigs per day on the saxophone. I was playing at restaurants, hotels, etc. I would even play on the streets of St Augustine, FL a lot. That actually ended up paying much better than the venues in town. I was able to get more of a personal connection with people walking by with their kids, loved ones, etc. Loved it.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Most of that is done via texts and instagram these days. I love being in contact with them “on the gram” because we get to keep in contact with them as they buy their first house together, have their first baby and all of the other special moments they want to share. It’s so cool to stay in touch with them as they will always be in the COS Celebrations family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.COSCelebrations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coscelebrations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coscelebrations

Image Credits

Rob Futrell
First Coast Headshots
We Are The Bowsers
Lunic Visuals
George Street Photo