Vendor Spotlight: Jodi Harris, Sight and Sound Events

NAME: Jodi Harris, CEO of FUN

LOCATION: Las Vegas, Nevada and Long Beach, California

# OF YEARS IN THE BUSINESS: 18

WEBSITE: www.SightAndSoundEvents.com

BLOG: http://sightnsoundevents.typepad.com/my_weblog/

TWITTER: @SightnSound

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN DJ SERVICES?

When I met my husband 18 years ago, he was a mobile DJ entertainer.  Rather than being the “girlfriend” of a mobile DJ and staying home on Saturday nights, I decided to go out with him and help him.  It started with sitting in the car and watching the equipment.  Then it was helping him load the equipment into the banquet facility.  Then it was sitting at the wedding watching him work.  Then it was press this button when I say this word.  Then it was hand me this song.  Then it was me handing him a song that he was going to play.  We got a rhythm going and soon we became a husband and wife DJ team.

IF YOU DIDN’T DO THIS FOR A LIVING WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING INSTEAD?

Television Producer which is what I did before I got started in the entertainment business.  I worked for Regis & Kathie Lee and ABC TV prior to all this.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES?

I enjoy painting.  My artwork hangs in my studio.  I also enjoy roller skating, bowling and World Wrestling Entertainment!

WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST WEDDING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?

On the bad side I had a father of the groom DIE on the dance floor.  On the crazy side I was working a conga line and we were right next to the swimming pool and everyone jumped in!

WHAT WAS THE BEST WEDDING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?

Seeing the grandfather of the bride take out his walker and limbo under the limbo bar and surprising everybody!  It was a priceless experience!

WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION?

I get my inspiration from a group of elite DJ entertainers called the DJ Think Tank.  This group represents the very best DJ entertainers in the world and you have to be invited to be part of their group.  I’ve been part of the group for 3 years and these guys inspire me EVERY DAY.  They are truly the best in the industry and raise the bar for what DJ entertainment is all about professionally and they know how to create fun!

NAME AN EXOTIC LOCATION YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT SOON?

I would love to visit Australia in the next year with a stop on the Fiji Islands!

WHY DO YOUR CLIENTS CHOOSE YOU OVER SOME OF YOUR COMPETITORS?

Clients choose me because they feel my passion for the success of their event.  I’m not the cheapest DJ entertainer but I’m certainly the best when it comes to creating a fun experience for them.  I’m extremely detailed orientated and understand that this event is their event not mine.  So I do everything I can to make sure I play their music and just am excited to be there.  It’s not a job but an honor to be chosen.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER A BRIDE AND GROOM ON THEIR WEDDING DAY?

The best advice is to TRUST YOUR WEDDING PROFESSIONALS.  Your professionals are experts in their given professions with EXPERIENCE and do this almost every weekend.  They know how to create a fun event.  Don’t micromanage them.  Let them do their jobs and your wedding will be a success.  Have fun on your wedding day.  Because when you’re guests see you having fun, they will catch the vibe and have fun too!  Remember you are setting the tone for the wedding.

ANYTHING ELSE INTERESTING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

Don’t do this yourself. Get help from a professional wedding coordinator.  Don’t trust a family member who would rather be having fun partying at the wedding and reception.  A professional wedding coordinator is there to work and to make sure that you can have fun and relax.  So many brides regret not having help on the day of the wedding, because they are running in a million directions.  A coordinator is there to serve you that day.  It’s an investment that will pay off in the long run.