What’s your 60 second elevator speech?
Acclimated Sounds is all about entertainment. I am an entertainer, a disc jockey, video DJ, an event coordinator and an architectural lighting specialist. I consult on fundraisers, corporate events, weddings, class reunions, any gathering; whether hosted in a large ballroom or a small venue. I also customize each reception and party to make them unique.
There are actually three parts to my business: the sound, the coordination and Elegant Up lighting, which is a new area. I create atmosphere using colors in light, it’s called “color psychology analysis.” I can create a mood in a venue large or small using a “Pillar Light” tower, something I invented
I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’ve been featured in “Mobile Beat” magazine and am a past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American DJ Association.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Ladies and Gentlemen…”
What drew you to this line of business?
As a child I loved music, I was in bands from marching to symphonic. By the time I was in 8th grade I was making mix tapes for my friends, setting a mood. That’s also when I did my first DJ gig. One of my friend’s parents was going away for the weekend, so I put my home stereo in a car, took it to their house and had a party. We charged $1 per person. I made $67 that night!
What is you most marked characteristic?
I’m a certified people person. In college I had two majors, sociology and psychology. I am a licensed social worker, an ordained minister and an expert in crowd dynamics. That really means, I know how to read a crowd.
What lessons would you share with other entrepreneurs?
“If you have a passion for what you’re doing, even 12 hour days are not too long because you love what you’re doing.”
What are we likely to find you doing on a day off?
Actually, you’re not likely to find me taking a day off. I’ve had three days off since July 4, and I can tell you exactly what I did. One day I visited my parents and family, the second day I rode a Harley to Lake Michigan. The other day off I went to the Renaissance Festival in Holly.