Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Grant Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Grant, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
I think the most innovative thing I have done with my career so far is creating Game Shows for the corporate world, weddings and for people in the Twin Cities! As I go by the name of The Ultimate Entertainer; there are so many different facets to that title! Whether it’s Comedy, Hosting, Djing, or Dancing; what I love to do with my different gifts is bring them to life in my Game Shows!
When you think of a Game Show there are funny moments, excitement, suspense, people dancing when they win, and music in the background! All these things are what me and business partners strive to create in our shows! I have been doing stand up comedy over 10 years now and a-lot people ask me why I don’t do a lot of open mics? What I tell them is “the comedy is in the game shows”! Producing the game shows, coming up with funny questions and challenges, is where I get the most joy because it allows me to tap into that creative side and bring the show to life!
Grant, 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?
“Allow me to reintroduce myself!” My name is Grant Jones and I am the Owner of Grant Jones Entertainment LLC. Being the “Ultimate Entertainer” It allows me to tap in to different aspects of the entertainment world! Hosting and emceeing shows and events! Djing a wedding or corporate party. Dancing and getting the party started, hosting game shows for colleges and bars, there are just so many things I can offer to make sure your next event is high in energy and one for the books!
I’ve been an entertainer my whole life from elementary school all the way to college! After college I took my talents on Carnival Cruise Line where I learned more about the art of hosting and djing and became the new kid on the block on the seven seas! With in 4 months of working on Carnival I won employee of the month out of 1400 workers on the ship! This set me up to be next in line to be one of the biggest Cruise Directors in the fleet. However one contract away from making my dream come true, Covid happened and my dreams took a unique turn. So in 2021 I decide to become my own Cruise Director with my own business and haven’t looked back since! It was probably the best decision I made because I met some amazing people that lead to me djing and hosting at the Super Bowl LVIII, traveling and speaking to big companies like Amazon and Tik Tok and seeing my dream as a Game Show Host come to life!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
NETWORKING! Every gig that I have ever gotten in this industry has been through networking.Putting yourself out there and finding the right people who understand your vision is key. Sometimes you have to get paid less to get those opportunities and get your foot in the door, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run because now you have a sense of rapport with your new clients.
Striving to do your best at every moment in life will help get your name out there. It took me 3 years of crushing events, asking for reviews, asking for feedback, taking less than what I usually charge just to be seen! All these things add up and now I have created a nice circuit where people will now do the heavy lifting for me. They start referring my business and services. When I ask new clients how they did hear about me, they will say ” we heard great things about you from so and so.” One time someone said my name popped up when they typed in DJs in Minneapolis on Google!! That was great to hear because it means my work is getting appreciated! Also collaboration is another key factor! The old saying “if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go with others.” is so true because there have been so many times I have been able to help out people’s event by teaming up with others making the event go from Good to Great! Team work truly makes the dream work!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
“It’s all about me”. Sure the business name is Grant Jones Entertainment; however it’s always been about how Grant Jones can serve you! I actually learned this lesson, believe it or not, during comedy shows! When a comedian is telling a joke or a story one of the reason they get alot of laughs is because they are relatable. So many times I see people that tell stories and they were great stories but it wasn’t really inviting the audience to be apart and join the adventure.
When you can find the connection and use your gifts to help someone else shine their light; thats where the magic is! People ask me as a DJ for a wedding ” is there a song you don’t like or hate hearing?”. My response to them is, it doesn’t matter because that day is not about me it’s about making sure that those two people that love each other are celebrating and having fun! Putting my own opinions and thoughts to the side so that they can get the Ultimate party experience! But I think that takes a certain level of professionalism and awareness to be able to not get caught up in that :)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grantjonesentertainment.com
- Instagram: gjentertainer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-jones-62815bb9/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gjentertainer/videos
Image Credits
Camilo Zapata, Erin Mac Photography, Visual Vibez,