Today we’d like to introduce you to Arshad Rais.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2003, I was attending a regional sports tournament held in my community and I noticed a friend of mine DJ-ing above the bleachers in between games to keep the audience hyped. I went upstairs to meet him and the next thing you know, he offered me the chance to DJ with him live during the breaks. The next thing I knew, I was spinning a set! I was intoxicated by the energy and the crowd response and I knew I wanted to do this again. After speaking with my friend about his work, I researched more into the industry and started my own business about eight years ago.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a new business is never easy no matter what field you’re in. With respect to DJ-ing in particular, the challenge was figuring out what equipment was needed, what contacts needed to be made, and what prices should be charged for a given event. Getting the word out about your business is critical and word-of-mouth referrals are key to succeeding in this line of work. I was fortunate to meet a lot of supportive people very early on in the business so I feel like I hit the ground running, but it was certainly met with its challenges. When I first started, for example, to establish myself, I even did a few events for free.
Please tell us about your work.
I work under my established brand, DJ Arsh R, which I created when I first launched about eight years ago. Our company provides a full suite of entertainment options for clients including, but not limited to: music, photography, videography, live singing, wedding backdrops, and even wedding coordination. We like to make sure our clients have a one-stop-shop when it comes to their event needs which, I think, makes it easier for my clients versus some other companies out there. While we specialize in Indian weddings and Bollywood-style events, we also have extensive experience with a variety of individuals with a multiplicity of backgrounds. We’re proud to also offer our services at deeply discounted rates for charities we strongly believe in.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory of my childhood I would have to say it would have to be couple of things: waiting till about 6 pm in the evening knowing my favorite cartoon “Doug” is about to come on because I would not want to miss any new episode and secondly spending every moment with my family when my cousins came to visit from out of town.
What were you like growing up?
I was born two months early, in the seventh month of pregnancy, and weighed only 1 pound 14 ounces. Growing up was challenging since I was always underweight and had to work really hard to get to a healthy weight which I finally achieved at 21. I’ve never been the type to step back from a challenge so I knew that once I put my mind to something, I would be able to accomplish it. I bring this tenacity to everything I do — whether it’s in my business, my personal life, or my career.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 817-313-8224
- Email: djarshr@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/djarshr
- Facebook: facebook.com/djarshr
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Aventography
3 Dance floor pictures: Justophotography and Dallas Wedding Photographer
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