We recently connected with Robert Stinson and have shared our conversation below.

Robert, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I didn’t actually realize that I had made a “full-time living” from my creative work until I looked back after that first full year of living it, with no other means of income. My wife, a really good friend, and a tax advisor all pointed out something I couldn’t see because I was so locked in…that first year, I brought in around $50,000 as a full-time entrepreneur, before taxes. This was huge for me because it was about the same or more than what I made at my highest paying 9 to 5 job. That’s crazy, in my first year, I did it. I pulled it off! I made a living doing what I love.

Now, it definitely wasn’t all smooth. I didn’t make a “profit” in the sense of having extra money left over. I built up some pretty bad credit card debt after just zeroing it out, my credit score dropped over a hundred points, and I learned a lot of hard financial lessons. But I paid my bills, I stayed in the game, and I survived my first year fully self-employed. That’s something I’m proud of, but it definitely wasn’t like that from day one. When I quit my job, I almost threw up when turning in my resignation letter. It was terrifying! Choosing to feed myself instead of being fed, especially with a wife and a child depending on me. But I stayed committed to the journey. That consistency and willingness to keep showing up, even when I didn’t know what was next, is what made it work.

And even though I was able to earn a living from my creative work, I still want to answer your last question. I don’t think I could’ve sped up the process. In hindsight, learning more about money management and self-employment taxes early on would’ve helped me become a stronger version of myself today. But honestly, I don’t think I could’ve avoided the grind. In fact, as much as it has hurt, I don’t regret the hardships since taking my Quantum Leap. The challenges were part of the journey. Talking to the right people, surrendering to God and the natural pull of the universe, and staying ready to move when life opens doors is what got me here.

Robert, 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?

What’s up y’all! I go by my DJ moniker, “Savant.” I’m a private event and wedding DJ, emcee, and creative architect based in Atlanta. Besides music, at the heart of who I am is a beautiful blend of enriching relationships, understanding and guiding energy, and philosophical reflection. I showcase all of those things both when I’m DJing and when I’m simply connecting with others. I craft atmospheres that move people. No matter the setting…a wedding, a corporate event, a curated experience, or an intimate moment, I’m not just pressing play or running on autopilot. I’m reading the room, staying dynamic, and curating the vibe. The end result? Something real. Something authentic. Something you can actually feel. And I think that feeling is what people are starving for in such a heavily automated world.

So the story of how I became a DJ all started because of my actual wedding. The DJ saw in me all the makings of a DJ: my ear for music, my educational background in sound and audio, my energy and how I connect with people, and suggested I give it a try. I laughed it off at first, but after some convincing from my wife and friends, I gave it a shot…and one day, one event turned into 6 years. In that time, I went from learning the events-as-a-service business to helping a solo DJ build his first six-figure multi-op entertainment company, to expanding alongside another that was already doing over a million a year. All of that came from opening up my natural gifts and embracing the discomfort that comes with real growth. Fate chose my career, but I kept choosing to grow into it; connecting everything I love about sound, people, and energy.

My main “product,” if you want to call it that, is presence and persistence. I bring intention and precision to every performance, from the sound, to the flow, down to the energy, and most of all, the timing. People not only hire me to provide music, but to bring their event vibe to life and for it to be executed in killer fashion. My equipment may play the music, but what I really bring to the table is ME. Connectivity is part of my superpower, and as an Emcee, I get to connect with people over the mic and on the dancefloor. I help couples and event planners turn abstract feelings into curated, seamless experiences that leave a lasting impact on them and their guests.

What sets me apart is that I don’t approach this like a gig, and I don’t treat my clients just like a sale or a number. I approach it like a collaboration between identities. I spend time learning my clients’ personalities, the culture of their crowd, and what emotional arc we’re trying to build. Then I tailor everything from the playlist to the pacing of the event. My skills in coaching and mentoring also bleed into my DJing craft. I know how to read people, anticipate needs, and lead a room without overpowering it.

I’m most proud of the consistency and clarity behind what I do. I’ve built my career from scratch, off of self-alignment and my gift of gab. No shortcuts. No gimmicks. No air-tight 20-year plan. Just real experiences that make people think and move. My brand is about clarity, connection, and relentlessness. I care about making every moment feel intentional and alive.

So, if you’re discovering me for the first time, here’s what I want you to know in a nutshell: Yeah, I’m DJ Savant, but I’m not just a DJ. I’m an architect of energy. Whether it’s through music, conversation, or collaboration, my goal is to make moments unforgettable… not because they demanded attention, but because they carried intention.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely! In fact, I created a mission statement to keep me aligned and attract kindred spirits:
“To craft spaces, experiences, and connections that embody excellence, elevate individuality, and inspire a relentless pursuit of tailored greatness.” (quick shoutout to Three The Entertainer for helping me streamline that statement.)

This isn’t just a statement on paper; it’s the lens I live and work through. Every event I touch, every mix I craft, every interaction I have, I’m thinking about how to raise the bar. Excellence isn’t perfection. In fact, I never strive for or promise “perfection.” It’s about intentionality and designing moments where people feel seen, heard, and elevated. I’m not just providing a soundtrack or providing a service, I’m crafting an experience that resonates emotionally, socially, and energetically.

Elevating individuality means I’m not applying cookie-cutter solutions. Every couple or client, every crowd, every creative is unique. I study personalities, emotional arcs, and energy flows so the vibe feels tailor-made. It’s about amplifying their essence, not imposing a template on them.

And relentless pursuit? That’s the heartbeat of my approach. I’m constantly learning, iterating, and refining, not only myself, but the things I’m connected to. Striving to be at least 1–10% better with every iteration. Whether it’s a bride walking down the aisle, a corporate team celebrating success, or someone finding alignment in their own life, my goal is for them to feel that it was intentionally curated and alive, like tempered metal straight from the forge.

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

Oh yeah! The one book that’s shaped how I think and operate as both a creative and an entrepreneur is You² by Price Pritchett. A simple, yet powerful 36 page gem my mentor Hasani put me on to. What hit me wasn’t just the content, but how much it mirrored how I was already beginning to think about growth and execution. The book isn’t about working harder, it’s about exponential change through shifting perspective and refining what’s already within you.

For me, it became a framework for collapsing time to level up faster than a limited mindset would ever allow. It reinforced the idea that massive results come from identity shifts, not just effort. It validated my instinct to use and discover the gifts I was born with, to suspend disbelief, and to surrender to the momentum of the journey. Like Pritchett says, a fly will die trying to push harder through a window when all it needed was a new approach.

Since reading it, I’ve woven those principles into everything I do: curating experiences, leading teams, coaching, and building with and within One Night Entertainment. It’s a reminder to operate from identity instead of effort, to lean into bold moves with clear intention, and to trust that alignment compounds faster than hustle ever could. You² didn’t just change the way I think…it amplified the way I act exponentially.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.onenightatl.com/team/robert-savant-stinson-2
• Instagram: @DJSavanatl (https://www.instagram.com/djsavantatl/)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djsavantatl
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rstinsonjr/
• Twitter: @DJSavantatl (https://twitter.com/DJSavantatl)
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@djsavantatl
• Soundcloud: DJ Mixes (Radio Savant): https://soundcloud.com/djsavant/sets/radio-savant-mixes
• Other: https://linktr.ee/djsavant

Image Credits

TJ Redmond, and Lex and Trev