Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Kurtis.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started when I went to my company’s casino party. I was just recently divorced and was looking for something to do at night. I have always liked to gamble and play cards so what would be better than to be a blackjack dealer. So, I contacted the company that supplied the casino tables and I was hired. I work for that company for a couple of years than started working for other casino companies as well. During this time, I started working for Vegas Impressions. I worked with his company for a few years and noticed that he could be doing more business, I asked if I could make sales calls or find new potential new clients. That’s when he offered me the chance to buy his company and I did, that was December 1999. I wanted to put my own stamp on the company and changed the name to Casino Events and as you say the rest is history.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Yes and no, I think the easy part was running the parties I had been doing it for a number of years with a few different companies and I saw how a good casino should be run and how a bad one is run.
When I first bought the company I kept my full-time job and did the casino business on the side, but in 2003 I was laid off from my full-time job and started doing the casino business only.
When I bought the business, I was unaware that the past owner did not keep very good records of his clients. Novice mistake I should have check into this better before I bought the company. So basically, I just bought the equipment he had and only two past clients. With that I had to start making sales call every day and took on a part time job just to make ends meet, I did part time work for a couple of years probably 3 until I established Casino Events to support me with having to not work odd jobs. Another struggle is finding good dependable people to work for me. I have found some really good ones and some bad ones.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Casino Events – what should we know?
As I said before we are a casino entertainment company. We supply the same type casino equipment that you would find in a real casino, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker tables and some exotic table games. We provide casino games for ALL types of occasions, whether it’s a small house party where someone is celebrating a special day like a birthday and the will only have a few games like blackjack or craps table there. Then there are the larger scale ones, this would be during the holidays and a company wants to say thanks to its employees. And last, we help charities raise money by doing a casino themed party.
I think that we are known for putting on a very professional party. We show up hours before a party starts to ensure that the tables are put in the right spot. That my dealers are knowable about the games they are dealing and want to make sure that all guest have a great time.
Working with the client to make sure that their party is fun and one that their guest will remember for a long time. I think that I am most proud of myself for having my own business and it has been successful. I am also proud of the people I trained and work for me when the host of a party comes up to me and says what a great bunch of people I have working. I think the best one is that when we do a party a second time people will come up to me or other dealers and they say I remember you we had a great time at so and so table you were at. I think what sets was apart is that we do a great job for a very good price. I wish more people knew about us.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m not sure who else deserves credit for the success of Casino Events. I think it’s the things that I learned from my parents. My dad worked for himself most of his life and I guess that’s where I get my entrepreneur spirit from. From my father that you have to work hard to be successful I think one of his saying is you get out what you put in. I think from both my parents, on how to treat people. To treat people the same way you would like to be treated. If I had any mentors, it would be from the people that I worked for whether it was related to the casino business or other jobs that I did.. cheerleaders, advocates or teammates again I would say my family and friends that said I could do it.
Pricing:
- Any table game blackjack, roulette, poker or another exotic table games start at $145
- Craps $375
Contact Info:
- Address: 2627 Danny Lane
- Website: casinoevents.net
- Phone: 214.288.1349
- Email: mkurtis@casinoevents.net
- Facebook: Casino Events
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