We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephen Correa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stephen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

In the year 2021, I found myself at a crossroads. I was working a regular 9-to-5 job, but my heart was always in the rhythm and beats of music. I was a part-time DJ, spinning tracks at private events and weddings for a company called RJM Entertainment. I loved the thrill of controlling the mood of a room, the power of music coursing through my veins. But it was just a side gig, something I did for fun, not something I could make a living out of. Or so I thought.

One fateful night, as I was driving home from a private event, my life took an unexpected turn. A car accident left me with a damaged shoulder and a forced leave from my day job. The timing couldn’t have been worse. I had just taken on more work as a DJ, and now I was physically impaired and unable to perform my regular job duties.

But as I sat at home, nursing my shoulder and contemplating my future, I began to see this accident not as a setback, but as a sign. Maybe this was the universe’s way of telling me to follow my passion, to take a leap of faith and pursue DJing full-time. It was a risk, no doubt. But isn’t life all about taking risks?

So, I made a choice. I decided to use my leave to focus on my DJing skills. For three months, I immersed myself in the world of music, learning the ins and outs of being a wedding DJ. I practiced, I studied, I honed my craft. And when my day job called me back, asking if I was ready to return, I took a deep breath and made the biggest decision of my life.

Within 24 hours, I handed in my notice. I was leaving the safety of my regular job to become a full-time DJ. It was a risk, a leap into the unknown. But it was a risk I was willing to take.

Fast forward to October 2023, and I’ve been a full-time DJ for two years. It hasn’t always been easy, but every time I step behind the decks, every time I see the joy and energy my music brings to people’s faces, I know I made the right choice. I took a risk, and it paid off. I’m not just living my life, I’m living my dream. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Stephen Correa, born in South Florida but raised Colombian. Most people know me as DJ Exhale. I’m a full-time DJ, specializing in clubs and weddings, and I’m also the South Florida Managing Partner of RJM Entertainment and the Co-Founder of the BLENDCULTURE DJ Group.

My journey into the world of DJing began when I was 17. I was the life of the party, always organizing events and being the center of attention. I picked up DJing because I was tech-savvy and thought it would make me look cool. But it wasn’t until I played “Show Me Love by Robin S. (Laidback Luke Remix)” at a friend’s party and saw the crowd’s reaction that I realized the power of creating moments through music. From that day forward I took it seriously and DJ Exhale was born.

But success didn’t come overnight. I went through many ups and downs, from working retail jobs and dropping out of college to becoming a father and going through a broken engagement. It wasn’t until I moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to go back to school that I got my first real break. I was given the opportunity to play at a local bar, Bullwinkle’s Saloon, and after honing my skills for two months, I was offered a paid gig on the weekends.

After moving back to South Florida, I worked for a company called Computer Repair Doctor and later at Apple. But DJing was always in the back of my mind. It was a car accident that forced me to take a leave from my day job at Apple that finally pushed me to pursue DJing full-time. During my recovery, I focused on improving my DJ skills and becoming the best DJ I could be.

With the help of Ricky Mascia, the owner of RJM Entertainment, I was able to transition into a full-time DJ. I became a Managing Partner for RJM Entertainment, which gave me the financial freedom to focus on my passion. I honed my skills, connected with other DJs, grew as a wedding DJ and also opened myself to becoming a Club DJ and I became a well-known name in the Fort Lauderdale scene.

But I wanted to do more than just DJ. I wanted to build a community for DJs, a place where we could connect, share ideas, and support each other. With the help of my business partner Jordan aka DJ Solokey, that’s how the BLENDCULTURE DJ Group was born. What started as a few friends talking shop on Instagram has grown into a community of over 100+ members. We share music, ideas, and gigs, and we even host events such as our successful Open Decks event

My journey as a DJ has been filled with challenges and risks, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I’ve been able to create unforgettable moments through music, connect with other DJs, and build a community. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

As a club DJ, I’ve learned that networking and consistency are key. I started by regularly visiting different bars and clubs, getting to know the management and staff. I would reach out on social media, promoting their events and showing my support. This wasn’t a one-time thing, but a weekly and monthly thing. I would get 100 no’s before I got 1 yes to work at a well known venue. I also focused on making mixes and posting them to mixcloud and youtube so i had a way to show off my work. I would go live weekly on instagram and just talk about anything DJ related, I would post on my story regularly, I wanted to be an active member on social media and found ways to translate that to new opportunities and gigs.

On the wedding DJ side, it was a bit different. I had to learn how to market myself to a completely different audience. I had to understand the needs and wants of couples planning their big day. I had to learn how to read a room full of people of all ages and backgrounds, and play music that would get everyone on the dance floor. I had to learn how to be not just a DJ, but an MC, a coordinator, and a problem solver.

I started by working for RJM Entertainment that specialized in wedding entertainment. I learned the ropes, gained experience, and built my reputation. I networked with other wedding professionals, attended bridal shows, and promoted myself on wedding websites and social media.

But the most important thing I did was to always deliver a top-notch performance. I made sure every couple’s wedding was a night to remember. I went above and beyond to exceed their expectations. And in return, they referred me to their friends and family, and left glowing reviews on our website and social media.

In the end, it’s all about providing an unforgettable experience. Whether it’s a club or a wedding, people want to have a good time. And as a DJ, it’s my job to make sure they do.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Absolutely. One story that stands out is from the early days of my DJing career. I was still working at Apple and DJing on the side. I had just landed a big gig at a popular club in Fort Lauderdale. I was excited and nervous, but I was ready to show what I could do.

The night of the gig, I arrived at the club and started setting up my equipment. But as I was doing my sound check, I realized something was wrong. My mixer, the heart of my DJ setup, was not working. I tried everything I could think of to fix it, but nothing worked. I was in a panic. The club was filling up, and I was supposed to start playing in less than an hour.

I could have given up. I could have told the club manager that I couldn’t perform and walked away. But I didn’t. Instead, I called a fellow DJ friend and explained the situation. He had a spare mixer and was willing to lend it to me for the night. I raced to his house, picked up the mixer, and made it back to the club just in time to start my set.

That night, I played one of the best sets of my career. The crowd loved it, and the club manager was impressed. He offered me a regular spot at the club, which was a huge boost for my DJing career.

That experience taught me a lot about resilience. It showed me that even when things go wrong, I can find a way to make it work. It also reinforced the importance of having a strong network of supportive friends and colleagues. I’ve carried these lessons with me throughout my career, and they’ve helped me navigate many other challenges along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blendculturedjs.com, www.rjment.com
• Instagram: @djexhale, @rjmentertainment & @BlendCultureDJs
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@djexhalefl

Image Credits
Darius Miller Anthony Heredia Aurelio Rivera