We recently connected with Pastel Bryant and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Pastel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Back in 2017, I was working as a loan underwriter at JPMorgan Chase by day and slowly making a name for myself as a part-time DJ by night. On paper, it looked like I had stability—but something inside me always longed for more creativity and freedom. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I was laid off. What could have felt like a crisis oddly felt like clarity. I wasn’t upset in fact, I felt a calmness settle over me, almost like an awakening.

Instead of scrambling to find another job in finance, I took a step back and asked myself what I really wanted. That’s when I decided to take a leap and go all in on my passions. I revisited my lifelong love for food and hospitality and started a business curating intimate dining experiences. At the same time, I leaned more deeply into my craft as a DJ, exploring my identity, refining my sound, and focusing with intention on the kind of artist I wanted to become.

Eight years later, DJing has become my primary source of income. I’ve played countless shows, sometimes in front of hundreds, other times in front of thousands. I’ve opened for celebrities, traveled to new places, and performed for major brands, organizations, nonprofits, even on private islands. What started as a side passion has grown into a full-fledged career rooted in creativity, connection, and joy.

Looking back, that moment of uncertainty was one of the most pivotal turning points in my life. The risk I took, choosing to bet on myself, completely reshaped my path. I didn’t have all the answers at the time, but I trusted my gut. And that trust led me to a life that’s more aligned, fulfilling, and creatively rich than I ever imagined.

Pastel, 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?

Hi, I’m DJ Pastel, a multidisciplinary creative based in Columbus, Ohio. My work lives at the intersection of music, food, and storytelling. I’m a DJ with over 14 years of experience, and I also curate intimate dining experiences rooted in culture, connection, and intentionality.

My creative journey started in 2011, when I began DJing part-time while working full-time in the corporate world. In 2017, an unexpected layoff became the catalyst for me to bet on myself fully. I leaned into my love for music and hospitality and built a career on my own terms—one rooted in joy, experimentation, and community.

In addition to live DJ sets for weddings, corporate events, festivals, and private gatherings, I also offer sound design and music direction for curated experiences. I approach every project with a deep respect for energy, intention, and vibe, blending genres, cultures, and eras to create something truly immersive. Whether I’m behind the decks or behind a dinner table, everything I do is about crafting memorable, meaningful moments while always keeping an open mind to growth.

What sets me apart is my ability to read a room and respond with both precision and surprise. My sets often explore beyond the mainstream, incorporating global sounds, deep cuts, and nostalgic nods that make people feel both seen and inspired. I’m also known for centering diversity, inclusion, and artistry in every project I take on.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built a career that honors who I am at my core. My work isn’t about just playing music or plating food, it’s about cultivating connection, creating space for joy, and helping people feel something real.

If you’re someone who values intentionality, creativity, and a little magic, whether you’re planning an event, curating an experience, or just looking for something different—I’d love to work with you.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the freedom. There are no rules, no ceilings, just limitless possibilities. I get to wake up every day and create from a place of intuition, curiosity, and joy. Whether I’m DJing or curating a dining experience, I’m not confined by a traditional structure. I can push boundaries, explore new sounds, challenge expectations, and constantly evolve.

That kind of creative autonomy is something I don’t take for granted. It allows me to stay connected to who I am, to bring my full self into my work, and to offer something authentic and fresh to the world. There’s so much power in being able to carve out your own path, and knowing that what you create can make people feel something, connect more deeply, or see things differently, that’s the real reward.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to fully understand about the creative journey is that it’s not always linear or easily explained. There’s no clear roadmap, no guaranteed outcomes, just a deep, internal pull to create, to express, to build something that didn’t exist before. It can look uncertain from the outside, and at times it is uncertain, but there’s a kind of faith involved that you learn to trust. What’s for you is already in you. And when you honor that, doors open in ways you never expected.

The biggest insight I can offer is this: never compare your journey to anyone else’s. Creativity isn’t a competition, it’s a reflection of your own truth, perspective, and voice. And that voice is enough. We all have something unique to offer, but it’s easy to get caught up in the noise or the pressure to fit a certain mold. I encourage anyone, creative or not to follow their own light. Trust your instincts, stay rooted in what feels real to you, and know that your path will unfold exactly how it’s meant to.

The more you show up as yourself, the more aligned your life and your work become. That’s where the magic lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://djpastel.bandzoogle.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_djpastel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastel.bryant/

Image Credits

Robbie Etters @Robbieohio