We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jon Pratt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jon below.

Jon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I stumbled upon DJing through my love of music and the process of being creative. I grew up in a home where music was played every day as we went about our daily routines (meal time, playing, showering, homework). Music became an integral part of my life from an early age. Whenever we travelled by car, long distance or just around the corner, we listened to music which included many classics from artists like Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, and Michael Jackson. I can remember myself at the early ages of 5 and 6, emulating Michael Jackson and putting on performances for my family. I can also remember my joy of dancing and my love for the energy that music provided. As I grew older, I collected CDs and tapes later explored the digital routes with Napster and other online platforms. I just wanted it all!

Jon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a full-time Dj and business owner. My Dj name is ‘P KNOCK’, which has a combination of meanings. First, the ‘P’ is the first letter of my last name and is a homage to my old nickname growing up “Skateboard P”. Pharrell, who is one of my favorite artists and producers, also has the same nickname. Secondly, the ‘KNOCK’ comes from the type of sounds I like to produce when I play/perform heavy bass and something you can feel! Later on it had the adaptation of “Knocking down doors that initially tell me no.”

The Djing interest came through experimenting. As I mentioned before, I used to collect music through many sources. I remember going to the music store and getting the albums or downloading them online from sites like datpiff. I loved music altogether, but was consumed by wanting to collect the classics and hear more and more. While I was in college, I was introduced to the party scene, so I saw how music affected people in the same way it affected me. Despite having the music, I was still a couple of years away from actually learning and getting my hands on some Dj equipment. At all gatherings, my friends would ask me to bring over my computer to “provide the vibes”. Vibes are are key at any gathering and I was good a curating just that, ‘a vibe’. After graduating from Howard University and while working a 9 to 5 in IT security, I took a chance and purchased some Dj equipment. I was curious to see if I could actually make ‘providing the vibe’ a thing and easier with the Dj equipment. First, I tried teaching myself, but early on I realized it’s going to take some time and breaking down the actual science and methods for mixing songs together. Since everyone knows the first place you go to learn something outside of school, I enrolled myself into YouTube University and started talking to more local Djs. I became obsessed with learning everything I could about the craft(getting new equipment, enrolled in YouTube University, and connecting with other Dj’s). Through some patience, persistence, and apprenticeship from other local Djs, I was able to hone my skills, and the rest is history! As a Dj, I learned two major things, you have to be continuously learning, and you have to NETWORK! I soon found a niche in the industry and worked hand in hand with my homie, who was on top of the DMV scene. Dj Money, a well-known Dj in the DMV area, was an important mentor for me. Shadowing him taught me the ins and outs of the game. Being able to visually see the techniques firsthand of what I was trying to emulate helped me get into my own business and Djing career. Djing provided a segue into the sound and entertainment industry, and I knew that it was a worthwhile endeavor. My thirst for more knowledge in the craft was insatiable. I loved everything about Djing at this point. I particularly loved to see the effect music had on an audience (from the body language, the dances, the overall energy in the room). The feeling is unmatched, and needless to say, it was addictive! My skill set continued to grow, and I kept getting booked for bigger and better events with big-name brand companies.

I can’t say I was solving a problem cause it feels like I’m shading the other DJ’s in the game that came before me and that are my peers now. I feel we all have different styles, a unique palette of music we like, even though we’re playing some of the same music, if that makes sense. I love it!

At J Pratt ENT. LLC provides premier sound and DJing for any event, whether it’s a small party or a big corporate event – we do it all! Specifically, we provide sound and/or DJ services for private, corporate, and wedding events. Several entertainment companies provide similar services, but what sets us apart is the quality of equipment, the professional services provided, the experience of over 10 years in Djing, and the meticulous attention to detail.

I’m most proud of the energy and connection I bring to my DJ sets, creating unforgettable experiences on the dance floor. My passion for music and ability to read and respond to a crowd help me create memorable moments that keep people dancing all night. I want potential clients, followers, and fans, to know that my work is about more than just playing music – it’s about creating a vibe, fostering community, and sharing my love for music with others. My brand is built on authenticity, creativity, and a passion for bringing people together through music.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

The biggest risk to date was when I was forced to transition from 9 to 5 work to being a full-time entrepreneur. Things at the 9 to 5 job which we will call ‘daytime job’ for naming purposes, weren’t stellar, but I wasn’t low-hanging fruit. So when my immediate boss told me that I had to come to our contracting company’s office for a meeting (my hiring company), which I hadn’t been to since orientation, and I signed all my paperwork. I knew this couldn’t be good. To say the least, it wasn’t pleasant at all, probably still one of the most awful meetings I’ve had to date, but looking back at it now, that was the most frustrating part of the whole thing. Being told to your face and struggling through those initial feelings of regret and letting yourself and people who look up to you down. Reality hits like a train hitting a car that gets stuck at a crossing! I had just purchased my townhome maybe a year or two prior, so all I could really think about was the bills and money that wasn’t coming in anymore. In this very moment, I couldn’t think of things I’ve already been doing as a hobby or passion that I could make a living from. Although it was there! So with everything going on and needing to make some money, I had to jump out there and at least try while I had nothing but time. I won’t deny it being difficult; the entrepreneurial journey is one of peaks and valleys. As long as you stay the course and look at the L’s as lessons you learn and enjoy the process, in my opinion.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Honestly, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been networking. I cannot emphasize enough the positive impact that reaching out and engaging with my community, peers, and industry contacts has had on my growth. While I understand that the industry can be competitive, I believe there are far greater benefits to building genuine relationships and connections with others.

Networking has opened doors to new, untapped markets, led to valuable partnerships, and provided insights into aspects of the industry I hadn’t considered before. In hindsight, I wish I had recognized the importance of this earlier in my career—more effort spent outside and meeting people would have accelerated my growth.

In entertainment and service-based industries like mine, I believe that gaining honest feedback and maintaining strong relationships are key to expanding your client base and refining your craft. I love learning from others, and I’ve found that when you approach people with authenticity and a genuine attitude, they’re often more than willing to help and support you.

Over time, these relationships can grow into life-changing connections, not just business opportunities. I truly believe that networking isn’t just about immediate gains; it’s about building a supportive community that fuels long-term success. I’m confident that this approach will continue to be my most effective strategy for growing my clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.djpknock.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djpknock/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DjPKNOCK/
• Twitter: https://x.com/DjPKNOCK
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7tBkq-RWGZsJnjhohRzq_g
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djpknock

Image Credits

Shot by Mango 🥭