STORYTIME – Transitioning from Construction Worker Who Liked To Party to a 6 Figure Wedding / Private Event DJ.
Photo Credit: Lighted Eye Creative Agency
Inspired from waking up after a night out of living my best life in Fredericksburg in 2005 UpsideDown Ent was created. I begin the work of putting on my first event. Printing 50 flyers on my home printer and promoting my event on MySpace to only be disappointed with having 10 people show up brought the realization that I truly enjoyed the music and the party more than the business side of things. I have to give props to one of the individuals that I followed on MySpace, Khal King, and his productions company Beastly Productions that inspired me to start UpsideDown Ent.
While conversing with a fellow promoter & DJ Jean Mauthrin we both decided to become DJs. As we begin to brainstorm and select stage names, I remember tossing around the word 360 due to the fact that I had such an eclectic taste in music – I settled on the name, DJ360. This is where it began to take off as we threw countless parties and concerts in and around Fredericksburg creating a culture that was based on having fun and providing entertaining events rather than making money.
It was in 2006 when John Schirrippa and a couple of students from Mary Washington University came to me with a partnership idea. As the founders of a website called Beerpong.tv a video series where they provided commentary over the footage shot at various parties. They wanted to host a beer pong tournament at a bar and in hearing that I threw parties they felt it would be a perfect match to keep up with the ever-growing World Series of Poker craze that was taking over the bar scene where players would win cash and prize. Being there was a World Series of Beer Pong that mirrored the craze was a no-brainer as I was sitting at an event one night bored it hit me that beer pong would actually be a great addition to my party offerings. Out of this VA Bar Pong was born and it branched out from the Fredericksburg area to MD and DC. This addition to my ever-evolving business resume became my 9-to-5 beginning in 2008 until I became a single dad to my daughter.
This life-changing event shifted my business focus into my marketing and private events company. After many years of people requesting DJ360 to provide entertainment at weddings and private events, because as one review stated “was fun and always got the party going” he decided it was time to put more focus on Big Day Productions, a company that he was using for private events over the years.
Like everyone else during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses had to scale back or shut down – UpsideDown Ent and VA Beer Pong felt the adverse effects of shutting down. He began to divert energy into private events once the COVID-19 restrictions lightened up and allowed for small intimate events. With the ability to use his advanced marketing skills he managed to become the Number one Google search results for “DJs Near Me” in the Fredericksburg and Surrounding areas. After seeking reviews from previous clients, sponsoring local wedding expos, investing in traditional print marketing, upgrading equipment, and adding 2 photo booths as an option to Big Day Productions. He was able to become one of the best DJ / Photo Booth companies in the DMV area.
When looking for an “Anti-Boring Dj Company” make Big Day Productions your only choice.