Today we’d like to introduce you to Willie Robb.
Hi Willie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a musician and singer since I can remember. The musician roots run insanely deep in my family, so it only made sense to continue in it. I started out singing, then as a drummer. That led to leaving school a little early to tour with a Christian rock band out of California in 2000. Shout out Tricyle! When I got back from that, it was the local bar band scene that gained my attention. I was lucky enough to be in several really good bands, but none of them were what I could call stable. That, and $100 or less for the stress wasn’t really the long game.
After years of that, I was approached with an opportunity to help with a local karaoke outfit. This was 2006 or so. I would no longer have to worry about my income being tied to others less motivated than myself. Say Less!! And so my disc jockey experience began. I continued to run as an assistant for around a year before I got my first solo event. And not long after that, I was asked to do my sister in-laws’ wedding. I was definitely not ready, but I couldn’t say no. And there was no real stress, as I was doing it for free. I was hooked!
Over the next few years, I honed in on the necessary skills that it takes to simply make it through events in one piece. In an era when Facebook groups were not a thing, it was really tough to find support. Nobody wanted to share tips and tricks. I couldn’t find a single DJ that wanted to sit down and talk about processes. And so I had to learn lessons the hard way. And there were a lot of them! The sum of those mistakes set me back literal years of growth. My determination to offer a solid and memorable experience to couples who otherwise could not afford it drove me to keep pushing.
Fast forward another 15 ish years and you will find a pressure tested, solopreneur with the resolve to take on any bride or mom zilla around. The processes and systems that I’ve built my business on have tested true and my clients wax poetic about it. I get to do what I love and create a once in a lifetime soundtrack while I do it. I mean, what’s not to love about that? My brand looks nothing like it started out as, but it’s still incredibly attainable for couples balling on a budget. That, I can be proud of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oof! Nothing about this has been smooth. The biggest struggle was just not having anyone available to talk shop with. This business was so cut throat when I was cutting my teeth! It still is, to some extent, but nothing near what it was. Simply having someone to call after a tough event would’ve been a game changer. I think that’s why I sometimes overextend myself when others need help. I can’t imagine having to learn the lessons the way I did in today’s social media driven world. Anyone making those types of mistakes today would be ruined!
We’ve been impressed with DJ Willie D, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DJ Willie D was born out of my love for performing and the thrill of seeing people having a good time. I have always placed an emphasis on letting my client take the lead. It’s never about me! My job is to listen to their vision, find agreement and execute accordingly. I can honestly say that, less a couple rookie events, I have delivered on that. I truly believe that taking the time to understand what “success” looks like for their unique event is what sets me apart. It’s never the same for any two couples. I take a lot of pride in being able to meet them where vision and execution get put to work. And I do it solo! I must be a little crazy to keep offering multi-setup weddings with cold sparklers, photo booth, intelligent lighting, uplights and truly mobile options. The weekends get kinda long at times, but I honestly love every moment. Mine is the luxury brand that won’t cost you your honeymoon.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I both fear and love this question. I’m stubborn! And I’m very much results driven. That’s to say that if I don’t get the results that I think I should, I go harder. Every event is the super bowl and has to be treated as such. This means that I spend a ton of time on the processes and relational side of things. I think that’s where I really shine the best.
Pricing:
- Weddings starting at $1200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djwillied.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedjwillied/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedjwillied
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeddedWhispers
- Other: https://linktr.ee/djwillied
