We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Epstein, Esq. (also known as “DJ Mixx” in the music community) a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Michael, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
My risk-taking is a little less conventional and less attached to a story than it is a way of being. While some professionals play to an audience, I have created a lane by maintaining my own identity uncompromisingly. From my speech to apparel and presentation, to my extremely direct, sometimes loud, personality, I cook with a lot of seasoning at all times. In many ways, I am an artist first who prioritizes happiness and integrity; so, when working with me, you will get a premium product, but you will also get radical honesty, rawness and genuine personality. Where some play it safe and keep business dry and impersonal, we will relate personally before getting to work. While I do provide a service, I can be selective about my engagements because energetic compatibility is often the lynchpin to professional success. This work-style can be risky in the sense that it might cut against one’s work volume- for me, though, it has been invaluable. Outside of that, I always ask directly for anything and everything I (or my clients) need, regardless of position or leverage in any situation. No “closed mouths”- my people need to EAT!
Dj Mixx Live @ Billionaire Boys Club w/ Pharrell Williams & Futura:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXblwbFo106/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Greetings, my name is Michael Epstein / Dj Mixx. I am an entertainment attorney, a deejay/event producer, and a music business entrepreneur. As an attorney, I focus on music although I have handled transactions across the intellectual property spectrum from television to film, sports and the visual arts. I have lectured extensively on Industry mechanics from New York City to Kingston and everywhere in between. I have clients across levels from Grammy winners to DIY artists- all are welcome!
As a Deejay, I play on a sound system called the Reggaeboyz (FL/NYC/JA) featured on 93.5FM in NYC with Irish/Chin, SiriusXM The Joint, and Podomatic.com. We are currently one of the only sounds contracted with VP Records (the world’s leading reggae music label and distributor). I am of Waggy Tee’s musical lineage (WEDR 99.1 FM) and focus on Dancehall, Soca, AfroBeats, and Hip Hop. I’ve been a member of music group, Kingz & Pharaohz (www.KingzAndPharaohz.com), featured in various publications with songs supported nationally. I am also an event producer in the South Florida market with several long-standing activations, one of which is called “The Potion” which fuses a dancehall session, small-scale concert, a wellness market, and an immersive themed Kava bar named Twisted Roots in Hollywood. It is a mini-festival in its own right!
Outside of that, I am a partner in a philanthropic apparel platform named the Honor Code (www.TheHonorCode.Org), and I am a practicing spiritualist in the Ifa Orisa tradition offering readings and consultation to those with need and interest.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
More than a particular story, again, I think principles are more resonant. So, in order to access resilience when necessary we remember that there are times when the phone doesn’t ring, parties don’t succeed, finances are less abundant, and errors are made. Everyone experiences this at some point. But, if we are firmly rooted in the quality of our product/service, and the market confirms said quality (even if at a lower volume), we remember that it is all a matter of numbers and exposure. SO, it becomes a matter of WHEN and not IF. Doors cannot remain closed forever and where success is a matter of probability (not viability), we keep going. We dig deep into our resolve, find daily inspiration, grow the same in thought and word, re-strategize, and re-approach. We make short term goals and fall in love with the process of our work instead of the returns (in the short term, at least). We continue to engage people meaningfully and share. We explore mutually beneficial collaborations with like-minded comrades. And we keep going. We recall that we are supported and successful. Better than a story, there is an affirmation. A daily prayer for readers and a vehicle for persistence. Remain encouraged always.
Dj Mixx Live @ Soho House w/ Hymn Marley:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CVx6OL_oYxM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
We all know to market and network. For me, though, more crucial is: Be a human first. Everyone is interested in growing professionally, but we often do best when we start personally without being a walking billboard spewing resume highlights and industry buzzwords. Usually, when people “play the role” and become caricatures they are compensating for insecurities. Ironically, however, vulnerability and genuine connections allow for the strongest, most long-standing and fruitful relationships, generally (not just in business). Stay honorable. Don’t lie, make excuses, or hide anything from clients (or anyone, at all)- that practice is fear-based and anything good requires courage. Lastly, listen carefully and HEAR the needs and objectives of those whom you serve. Start interactions by asking what clients see for their careers and then ask how you can help them achieve. “I”, “I”, “I”, “me”, “me”, “me”, while very much a part of our culture, is NOT usually the way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @DjMixx305
- Other: MEpsteinLaw@gmail.com.