Most DJs treat entertainment as a weekend side hustle. They show up Friday and Saturday nights, pocket some cash, then return to their “real jobs” on Monday morning. But what if we told you there’s a better way—one that transforms passionate entertainers into full-time professionals earning $70,000+ annually?
At Elevate Entertainment, we’ve revolutionized how DJs build their careers, creating sustainable, rewarding positions for people who genuinely love celebrating others’ most important moments.
The Problem with “Weekend Warriors”
The traditional DJ industry relies heavily on part-time performers who treat events as supplemental income. While this might work for casual gigs, it creates serious problems for clients investing thousands in their wedding entertainment:
- Divided Attention: When DJing is secondary income, your event becomes a secondary priority
- Inconsistent Quality: Weekend warriors often lack the time for proper preparation and professional development
- Limited Availability: Part-time DJs frequently cancel for their primary job responsibilities
- No Career Investment: Without long-term commitment, there’s little incentive to continuously improve
Elevate’s Career-First Philosophy
“We believe that true excellence in entertainment requires full dedication and professionalism,” says Broc Barton, founder of Elevate Entertainment. “By paying our team members double the industry standard and investing in their growth, we’ve created a team of career-focused professionals rather than weekend warriors.”
Our approach transforms the traditional DJ model by offering:
- Above-Market Compensation: We pay our certified DJs significantly more than industry standard, making entertainment a viable full-time career rather than just weekend pocket money.
- Professional Development: Ongoing training, leadership development, and skill enhancement ensure our team members continuously grow in their careers.
- Benefits and Security: Health benefits, paid time off, and career advancement opportunities that traditional DJ work rarely provides.
- Supportive Culture: A company environment that values team members as people first and performers second.
Why This Matters for Your Event
When you book an Elevate DJ in Kansas City, Springfield, or St. Louis, you’re working with someone whose livelihood depends on your event’s success. They’re not rushing off to their corporate job Monday morning—they’re building their career one exceptional event at a time.
This career-first approach means:
- Complete Focus: Your event receives undivided attention and preparation
- Professional Investment: Continuous skill development and equipment upgrades
- Long-term Relationships: Building lasting connections with clients and industry partners
- Excellence Mindset: Success measured by client satisfaction, not just weekend earnings
Creating Opportunities for Passionate People
Our “$70K side hustle” model attracts individuals who are genuinely passionate about celebration and entertainment. These aren’t people looking for quick weekend cash—they’re professionals who want to build meaningful careers around creating joy for others.
“We’re proud to be creating sustainable careers in an industry often viewed as temporary or transitional,” Broc adds. “Our DJs don’t just play at events—they build their lives around creating exceptional experiences for our clients.”
The Ripple Effect
This professional approach creates benefits far beyond individual career satisfaction:
- For Clients: Higher quality service, more reliable performance, and genuine investment in event success
- For Venues: Consistent, professional partnerships with entertainers who understand the business side of events
- For the Industry: Raising standards and demonstrating that event entertainment can be a respected, well-compensated profession
Beyond Entertainment: Building Careers
Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or private celebration, our career-focused DJs bring a level of professionalism and dedication that part-time performers simply cannot match.
When entertainment is someone’s career—not just their side income—every event becomes an opportunity to excel, every client relationship matters, and every performance contributes to their professional reputation.
Ready to experience the difference that career-focused entertainment professionals can make?
Schedule your complimentary entertainment design session and discover what happens when passion meets professionalism.
