Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Markwardt.
Ed, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2009, I was working in an insurance office looking for work on the weekends. I came across an ad for a DJ company and because I was in the A/V field for several years I thought it was a good fit. I joined the DJ company and received the Rookie of the Year award. I left the company in 2011 and planned to leave the industry.
In January 2012, I received a call from a bride wanting me for her wedding later that year and when I explained I had left the DJ company she told me that she still wanted me to be her DJ. So on February 12, 2012, All Access DJ was born, with the support of my family and the help of some amazing wedding professionals.
In 2012, I advertised strictly on Craigslist and booked 40 weddings that way. From that point on I relied on word of mouth.
I started with me and inexpensive DJ equipment. Over the next few years we have grown tremendously. We got an office in 2014, a photo booth in 2015, and have five DJ’s and five photo booth operators.
We feel our business has grown because we are willing to work with budgets and we do not like saying “no” to a bride. We treat every bride as an individual person, not a number.
We started with 40 weddings and have increased every year and have 214 weddings this year.
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?
Owning a business is never a smooth road. At the beginning marketing was a challenge, trying to figure out the best way to do it. When I started there were financial struggles while I was getting my name out there but I had a dream and I chose to work long hours seven days a week to one day have financial freedom.
People, in general, can be negative and it took me a while to not pay attention to that and to focus on the brides.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about All Access DJ – what should we know?
We are known for working with budgets as well as how we treat each bride. Also, with every DJ package we offer up lights and a custom monogram.
I am most proud of my staff. They work extremely hard and I would not be where I am today without them.
I am still trying to figure out what sets us apart from others. I do know that when a bride hires us, they know who their DJ from the start and our DJ’s work side by side with the bride to make sure her day is perfect.
We stress to our brides that we are not entertainment. We do not want to be a show. We want the focus to be on the couple and the guests the entire night.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Integrity and honesty is a big one. I will never lie to a bride.
Being interactive at weddings is our biggest success. No one likes a boring wedding so we use certain techniques to engage the gusts.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1600 N. Interstate 35e
Suite 103
Carrollton, TX 75006 - Phone: 972-466-1700
- Email: info@allaccessdjdfw.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/All-Access-DJ
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