Alex Vaughan Mobile Entertainment Blog

There was a time when you could do business with a promise and a handshake. Unfortunately, life’s gotten complicated and that’s no longer possible.  These days you must enter into a contract and pay a deposit, usually half of the total amount of the agreement.

When you’re hosting a celebration, you sign contracts and make deposits all over town for all the services you need. There’s the reception hall; the catering; the florist; the photographer; the balloon artist; the entertainment… your out of pocket expenses can mount up quickly.

Sometimes you just have to pare down expenses. Do you serve a tiered cake with butter-cream icing or cupcakes with canned icing from the grocery store; dinner or finger foods; you get the idea.

One area where you should not cut corners is with your entertainment. You and your guests will remember what a wonderful party your entertainer helped you host for many years. So it’s important to shop for the best quality, not the lowest price. Of course you’ll need to enter into a contract and that means another deposit. At Alex Vaughan Mobile Entertainment, we offer payment options to help you with your budgeting.

Of course we accept Visa and Master Card and your company or personal check with a signed agreement. But if the traditional 50% retainer is more than your budget will handle, we’ll help you set up a schedule so you can pay the balance in smaller, easier to manage amounts, usually at no interest.

We’re here to help you to host a celebration you and your guests will feel great about for a long time to come and like most things, flexibility is the key. Please contact us to schedule a meeting. Email Alex at: alex@djalexvaughan.com or phone 302-674-2464.

A good DJ Entertainment company will make your celebration the success you’re hoping for, but the best choice is not always the least expensive. Here are five key things to look for that will help you choose the best DJ Entertainer for the dollar and help make your party a success.

1. Do they have a valid business license, business insurance and  back-up equipment?
2. Are they a member of the local Chamber of Commerce or a professional trade group like N.A.M.E. or A.D.J.A.?
3. Ask for references, a list of satisfied customers and venues they have worked with and then make some phone calls.
4. Enter into a binding contract that spells out expectations, duties and responsibilities of both parties.
5. Schedule a planning meeting so you’ll be in step regarding how your celebration will unfold.

Alex Vaughan Mobile Entertainment is in the business of helping you make some great memories of your special occasion and we’ll be happy to meet with you to discuss how we can make your vision for a successful party come to life. Contact us to schedule your meeting. Email alex@djalexvaughan.com or phone 302-674-2464.

Maybe I should say, I don’t drink when I work. That isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy an adult beverage from time to time. I do enjoy craft brewed beer like Dogfish Head and Fordham, two of my local favorites. But, I don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone to drink an alcoholic beverage when they are on the job. Do you?

Think about it. When someone consumes an alcoholic beverage, it impairs their ability to be at their best. The alcohol releases inhibitions, dulls the senses and often leaves one with a false sense of security.

What would you think if your bank teller smelled of alcohol? Would you recount your money? If your dentist were overly chatty and smelled like beer as they put a new bit in the drill they’re getting ready to use in your mouth, would you feel completely at ease? Probably not.

Many party hosts understand the hazards of allowing their guests to over-imbibe and either offer specials for people who will stay sober and drive the drinkers home, or provide designated drivers for their guests.

That being true, then, why is it acceptable for a DJ Entertainer to drink when we’re on the job? I think the answer should be, it’s not. It’s not acceptable, it’s not professional and it’s not how I’d like another DJ company to serve me or my family. So I won’t do it.

I don’t drink when I’m at work helping you celebrate what is most likely a very important mile post in your life. I think that’s the professional way to serve my customers. Just think of me as your Designated Party Co-Host.

Earlier today, a colleague and professional DJ Entertainer, Mike Fernino, of Music in Motion DJ Entertainment made a post on his blog titled “DJs should be more than “Just Music”. Find it his post at www.musicinmotiondjent.com/mim_blog/2010/01/04/466/

While I agree whole heartedly with Mike’s overall message, as president of the Delaware Association of Mobile Entertainers, (D.A.M.E.) I cannot completely agree with his final point which, in essence says, don’t hire part-time DJs. There are many part-time DJ Entertainers who are just as serious about delivering top quality performances as we full-timers are.

So how do you tell when you’ve got a good DJ?  Don’t worry; it’s pretty easy to weed out less-than-professional DJ Entertainers, full and part-time, with a few thoughtful questions. In addition to many of the points Mike made in his blog:

• Ask for a valid business license, mine covers the entire state;
• Ask for proof of business insurance, I carry a 2-million-dollar policy;
• Ask for a list of references, both professionals and customers, mine gets updated every quarter;
• Ask if they’re a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, I’m the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year here;
• Ask if they’re a member of ADJA, NAME or some other nationally recognized DJ Trade organization.

If a DJ Entertainer is serious about delivering top quality entertainment services, asking good questions like the ones in Mike’s blog earlier today along with some like those I’ve suggested will go a long way toward your finding the best DJ Entertainer for your celebration, whether they’re full or part-timers. Look for their professionalism and level of commitment, then sign the contract.

For me, the hardest part is educating the public and our prospective customers that DJ Entertainment is a legitimate profession.  It is not something that just anyone can just jump into on a whim.  If more people understood that, we probably wouldn’t even have to address issues surrounding Full vs. Part-Time DJ Entertainers.   Alex

Most people don’t realize that a person can earn a living as a DJ. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve been asked what I do at my “DAY JOB”. I’ve been in business 25 years, 14 as a full-time enterprise.
Monday through Friday each week, my “DAY JOB” is to administer all aspects of my small business in much the same way that any other small business operator does. I maintain a valid Delaware business license; I pay my state and federal taxes; I carry business insurance; I deal with the phone company, the internet service provider, auto repair and upkeep, the post office and all the others that most small business operators do every day.
I’m the company’s sales staff too. I contact prospective customers and attempt to sell the company’s services, which include: DJ Entertainment, Karaoke Entertainment, GameShow Trivia Entertainment, ‘the Bubble Man’ children’s entertainment services, Emcee Services, Freelance Announcer Services, and Commercial Copywriter Services.

Then, on the weekends, I help people host their celebrations and parties. My wife would argue that I work 7-days a week, and in one sense I guess I do. But as a single owner/operator, I also have a good bit of discretionary time in my schedule which I use to take care of my ‘honey-do’ list. Things like cutting the grass, taking care of the water treatment system and so-on.
I must be doing something right. I’ve been recognized as the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Central Delaware Chamber of the Year, and my wife says she’s happy with our life together.
So, yes Virginia, it is possible to earn a living as a full-time DJ Entertainer. I look forward to the opportunity to be of service to you.

Delaware State News 05/22/2009, Page A11
Central chamber hands out business awards

Strickland, Bayhealth, Vaughan honored
By Katie Kazimir
Delaware State News DOVER — William Strickland of L&W Insurance Co. and Bayhealth Medical Center were among the big winners as the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Awards Dinner was held Thursday evening at the Maple Dale Country Club in Dover.
“It’s to recognize the businesses that have been nominated by their fellow chamber members,” said Gina Aurora, spokeswoman for the Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Aurora said members of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce nominate fellow business members for Small Business Person, Corporation and Entrepreneur of the Year.
A nomination committee then narrows down the businesses to three for each category, and then chamber members get one vote for each category.
“If they registered and came tonight, they had an extra vote,” Ms. Aurora said Thursday while votes were being tallied.
“ You don’t even know who wins until the night of (the eve nt),” she said.
“Choosing a winner amongst this group of nominees was a challenge,” said Alan Kovitz, board chairman of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce.
Nominees for the Small Business Person of the Year included Lisa and Jennings Hastings and Janis Nesterak of Faw, Casson & Co., anad Mr. Strickland and Bryant Richardson of Morning Star Publications Mr. Strickland was sick and unable to make the event, so the award was accepted by his son, Justin Strickland.
“I know if he was here he would have been excited he had won,” said Justin.
Nominees for Corporation of the Year were Bayhealth, People’s Place and the Blood Bank of Delmarva.
“I feel good for the employees and physicians of Bayhealth to be recognized for the benefits we provide the Dover and Milford communities,” said Terry Murphy of Bayhealth.
Mr. Murphy said he felt Bayhealth was in good competition with People’s Place and the Blood Bank of Delmarva.  “ We’re very excited to be recognized for the community benefits we provide,” he said.
Alex Vaughan of Alex Vaughan Mobile Entertainment won Entrepreneur of the Year honors. He was nominated with Kelly Devine of Where Pigs Fly restaurant and James McGinnis of McGinnis Commercial Real Estate.
“I’m flabbergasted. To have been previously nominated and now win, I feel like I’m running with the big dogs,” said Mr. Vaughan.
In addition to honoring local business leaders who excelled this past year, the event also offered a chance to network.
“It’s nice to be with other business leaders — successful business leaders,” said Mr. Murphy.
Robert Ware, director of Home Instead Senior Care, was attending the event for the first time.
“It’s excited to help people come out and celebrate successes they may have had this year,” Mr. Ware said. “It’s good seeing businesses prosper in bad times and help them celebrate their success.”
“ This is great. Anything you can do to support small business,” said James Provo of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Small businesses are the ones that are hiring,” he said, adding that 70 percent of new jobs in the nation the last few years have been created by small businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy.”

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