We were lucky to catch up with Debbie Sallee recently and have shared our conversation below.
Debbie, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
It’s easy when you are a people person and enjoy meeting and talking with others. I attend almost every local wedding / vendor event I can. I’m pretty outgoing and not afraid to be me, which could be a little overwhelming for some till they get to know me. These events are typically after hour events and just talking and meeting every type vendor there is in the industry it takes a lot and it takes several times of meeting the same people to get on a first name basis. I’ve connected with many female DJ’s on Instagram all over the country. Two summers ago after about a year of saying we should all meet up and collaborate, we did just that. Four of us female DJ’s rented an Airbnb in Austin, Tx, none of us knowing each other from more than what we text and posted on social media. Two came from Boston, One from Arizona and myself from East Texas. We had an absolute blast meeting in person, sharing our differences based on where we were all from, music playlist, struggles, successes and made life long friendships.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
You bring the guest, I’ll bring the fun! I enjoy entertaining guest and challenging them to get out of there comfort zone and have a good time. I believe we all have a little kid in us. My personal challenge at each event is trying to find that inner child in people and bring it out of them through interactive games or on the dance floor. I have the best seat in the house and I start reading the crowd as soon as they arrive then make it a personal goal to see the ones I’d like to get on the dance floor and do my best to make it happen.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
It’s easy when you are a people person and enjoy meeting and talking with others. I attend almost every local wedding / vendor event I can. I’m pretty outgoing and not afraid to be me, which could be a little overwhelming for some till they get to know me. These events are typically after hour events and just talking and meeting every type vendor there is in the industry it takes a lot and it takes several times of meeting the same people to get on a first name basis. Then you become friends and on a first name basis, which turns into leads when they are asked if you know of a DJ. It has been probably been one of the most successful for me. In addition, I’ve connected with many female DJ’s on Instagram all over the country. Two summers ago after about a year of saying we should all meet up and collaborate, we did just that. Four of us female DJ’s rented an Airbnb in Austin, Tx, none of us knowing each other from more than what we text and posted on social media. Two came from Boston, One from Arizona and myself from East Texas. We had an absolute blast meeting in person, sharing our differences based on where we were all from, music playlist, struggles, successes and made life long friendships.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
2008 I was diagnosed with a rare cancer called adenosarcoma with sarcomatose overgrowth. There were only four people in the United States that had been reported as having it. There was no protocol to follow so we just had to put our trust in God and the doctors. I quit working and get through some of the toughest treatments and side effects I could ever imagine. It allowed me time to reflect on my life… and you definitely do that during those times, not sure of your outcome and what you will happen next. I started to search for jobs that would give me more flexibility in my schedule and more time with my family. I had a cheerleading and tumbling background and started out doing private lessons for local girls trying out for cheer, I started with just a few mats and the necessities I needed to work with them and that led to opening a competitive cheer gym. I ran the business for 8 years, learning to mix music and choreograph cheer routines. The cheer world is a big business, forever evolving and extremely competitive, I realized it had outgrown me so I decided to move on. I found a dj in Dallas updating all his equipment and selling everything. I was able to pay cash and start doing those small gigs that eventually led me to starting my own dj business. I am so blessed to be doing what I love for a living.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.debbiethedj.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_the_dj/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbiethedj1/
Image Credits
Brooklynn Gandy Photography, LLC