Meet Scott of Scott’s Music Place – we are so excited to have a DJ join us as a new member this year, he even was the DJ for our Volume 8 launch party and killed it! We can’t wait to share more about Scott and his business below.

Scott was born in Indianapolis, IN, currently lives in Alexandria just outside of Old Town

How/why did you start your business?

I have been a music fan most of my life and always had music on in some shape or form. My current living community (Montebello) had music events and I suggested perhaps I could start doing DJ events to get the residents more engaged in music/dancing in ’18. Since then, we did my DJ’d music nights every month until Covid in ’20. From friend’s suggestions, I decided to branch out and provide DJ services the Alexandria, DMV region. I purchased more equipment and started the real business in December of ’21. Got the LLC designation to make the business legit and to ensure the current/future clients knew that this was a real part time interest/business with a website, business cards, logo, flyers, post cards, now marketing ads, etc.

Tell us a little bit about your work/life balance.

I work a full time in Corporate Facilities at the World Bank in DC, so I enjoy having my part time (occasional evenings/weekends) filled with using my creative side for my DJ services such as the marketing with my website design, business cards, post cards, signage, logo, marketing ads creation. For the clients, I love to use that creativity for the song playlists and flyers, my emails, brochures, and proposals. I have had many clients comment on the professional vibe in communications and all documents received related to their events.

What is a typical day like for you?

Working for all the World Bank staff/facility needs is the daily function and focus. At the same time, balancing the reviewing of any/all current/future client inquiries for DJ services, following up with them on any/all needs regarding planning on events, proposals/quotes for potential clients. Ongoing correspondence with existing clients on any of their posed questions or needs for upcoming events when/as needed.

What motivates you to work hard?

Working efficiently, productively, and proactively is my MO both with my FT and my PT functions. I apply it to everything in life, not just work. Being a Project Manager by trade and using that skillset for the day job applies well to my DJ services as well. I work diligently on keeping my marketing current/fresh, updating all sites with new information/photos/video’s and my business materials such as my proposals, detail sheets and of course, keeping up with current music trends, updating playlists and adding new and classic music to them daily.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I like to think I have a few but in the last years, the ones that stand out is gaining my certification in Home/Commercial staging which I apply to my FT time daily, and starting from scratch/on my own, my own business. Following all the correct protocols to get that business up and running with the state, the IRS, on the web and locally with marketing both in person with networking events and with print/web media.

What did you want to do when you were little? Hmm, I remember after going to some local state parks where I grew up wanting to be a Forest Ranger/Park Ranger.

First job? Ha Ha, worked as a French Fries cook at Gino’s, which become Roy Rogers.

What’s something that has surprised you about your chosen career path? I would have never thought a career, industry choice would mirror my personality and lifestyle so much to my liking.

The best piece of advice you’ve ever received. Do it while your young, and uninhibited and free, get it out of your system because you don’t want to say, “I wish I had….” When you are older.

If you could choose to do anything for the day, what would it be? A chef at a 4-star restaurant in the Swiss Alps.

Favorite/most rewarding part about your business? The DJ business allows me to play with my passion for all types of music and share that passion with others, as well as share my creative side at the same time. Seeing others positive reactions to songs played by my choice or the clients is so rewarding!

Who knows you best? Hands down, my mother. She knew my words before I spoke them, we had a bond which was unreal. She used to me out do diners for grilled cheese and Sprite when I was a kid, none of my other 3 brothers ever did that with her. It was a true connection.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? No longer doing my FT Day job and enjoying the DJ work FT and doing more of it with the flexibility of no constraints on the day job.

What can we find you doing in your free time? How do you enjoy downtime?

Always listening to a genre/era/style of music. I love to pick a genre each time I stream music, its always on no matter where I am. Music is a great downtime it allows you to be by yourself and set any vibe or feel that you choose.

List of favorites –

Music – Great American Songbook Jazz

Meal – cook or order in? – Both are equally appealing depending on the mood.

Drink – A Woodford Reserve Rye Bourbon Smoked Rosemary Manhattan

Book – Point to Point Navigation – Gore Vidal

Movie – Bridges of Madison County

Tv series – Six Feet Under

Vacation spot – Montreal, Canada

Item of clothing – Lucky Brand Button Fly Skinny 101 Jeans

Life hero – John F. Kennedy

Season – Fall

Holiday – Thanksgiving

Sports team – Seattle Mariners

Hobby – Tennis

Pet – cat or dog person? – Cat

Morning person or night owl? – Both and I do both often