Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dj 9 Eleven. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dj 9 Eleven, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to earn a full-time living doing something I absolutely love to do. One day I finally decided to stop working dead end jobs and just put all my time into djing. Working 8+hrs shifts barely bringing home any money and also being a full time mother just wasn’t the life that I wanted for myself. The saying, “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” just really stuck with me. I started going harder promoting my brand, booking photo shoots, doing live videos of me djing, going to clubs/bars introducing myself to the owners, constantly putting myself out there and eventually it paid off. It was definitely not an easy road but I never gave up even at times I felt like we’re my lowest. Knowing what I know now, when it comes to following your dream the road is never easy, there will always be obstacles. The key is to stay the course and keep going and ALWAYS have a plan.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I am a female dj, I go by the name of Dj 9 Eleven. I was always in the entertainment industry and always around djs. I learned how to dj back in 2010 at a friends studio(Dj Mac Payne) and he would just leave me in there to practice for hours. Once I felt comfortable enough I started doing opening sets for other djs and eventually started booking my own gigs. My dj name came from a nickname people used to call me because they would joke and say I was named after a car (Porsche 911) so I just stuck with it.. The craziest thing is when I was in high school and my friends and I would dance in the talent shows, I used to make our show disc. Who would’ve thought I’d become a dj lol. What sets me apart from others is my style, the way I dj, the way I dress, and the way I carry myself in general. What makes me proud the most is all that I’ve accomplished. I’ve been nominated for awards, I’ve won an award for Best Female Dj in Kansas City, Mo 2021, Ive gotten a chance to dj some of the biggest events in and out of town, became a traveling dj, and I’ve just overcame so many obstacles that I never thought I would and most of all I never gave up. I did all of this while being a single mother.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

A few books that have impacted my entrepreneurial thinking are: Rich Dad Poor, 48 Laws of Power, Atomic Habits, The Alchemist, Keep Going, & last but not least,The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck. I recommend these to any and everyone not just entrepreneurs.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creatives fail to understand countless hours we put in and the patience we have to have when it comes to our craft. Another thing is, what we do for a living IS A REAL JOB! You don’t know how many times I’ve been looked down upon or have been told I need to have a “real job” for making a living being a dj opposed to having an actual 9 to 5. Support the creatives even if you don’t understand what it means to be a creative.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @iamdj9eleven
• Facebook: Dj 9 Eleven
• Twitter: Iamdj9eleven
• Other: Tiktok: @damnthats9eleven

Image Credits
Suite203 8won6 Shawn Riddle Dj Vince