13/10/2024
Hey everyone,
I decided not to enter TWIA this year, despite receiving nominations It’s been a challenging year for me, particularly in terms of my mental health and that took the priority. At one point, I seriously considered stepping away from DJing altogether - but I quickly came to the realisation that that was not a good idea. Playing music to you makes me feel better, and I didn't realise just how so until very recently, sure djing makes me feel great as much as the next one, but it's rare when it feels extra magical to me as the performer because you do become a bit accustomed to how you & venues do things, venue setup, decor ect and you forget just how magical it actually is when everything is just bloody amazing!
Those closest to me know what’s been going on, and they’ve been incredibly supportive in their own ways. Some have been less so. But the message from those who stood by me was clear: don’t quit on yourself, even when others might.
After taking a much-needed 12-day break in September, when everything felt overwhelming, I came back to my first gig, and something just clicked. It was Everything started to fall into place again, and now I’m incredibly excited about what’s coming next.
For those who know me or have worked with me, you know how much I love problem-solving—finding best outcome or my client needs against what I can offer with a focus on service > sales. Whether it was helping a lovely old lady understand their new phone or creating an unforgettable event working alongside multiple supplers I’ve always been focused on delivering the best experience possible for the client.
This problem-solving approach goes back to my time at T-Mobile. Our store was ranked in the bottom 5% of over 200 stores for customer satisfaction, and I impulsively told my boss, “I’ll make us number 1.” They laughed, but three months later, we were number 1 for customer satisfaction, and we stayed in the top 10 for three more quarters. That’s still one of my proudest achievements (aside from the birth of my son), and during my break, I reflected on that success, asking myself if I could achieve something even greater. I had an idea then, which made that monumental achievement happen and it delivered almost instantaneously, the buzz in the shop was different with the staff, because they believed in my idea too.
I thought about my business—what I wanted it to be 10 years ago, and what it is today. I’m so proud to have built something people genuinely care about, support, and root for. It’s a special feeling to have that kind of backing.
I first fell in love with DJing in college when Luke introduced me to Sean Rumsey, one of the best singers I’ve ever heard. While Sean was playing the piano, I noticed the lights in the next room where a student was DJing on vinyl—something I had never seen before. It hooked me, and I’ve been in love with DJing ever since.
In the self-employed world, awards like TWIA give us a way to measure ourselves—not as competition, but as part of a community passionate about weddings. Over the past year, I’ve been thinking of ways to push the boundaries and improve. I’ve got an idea in the works that could truly elevate the industry, and I’m dedicating all my spare time to making it happen.
After being awarded 'Highly Commended’ twice for the West Midlands, for 2023 and 2024 Wedding DJ of the Year, I’ve spent the year not just thinking about how to improve, but how to take those improvements to the next level. As Rolls Royce says, “Take the best and make it better.” With the help of ChatGPT, I’ve refined my plans, and next week, the real work begins to turn this into a reality.
By measuring against 2026 wedding DJ of the year vs 2023 and 2024, you can bet I’ll be entering TWIA next year with something extra special. Roll on 2026 for DJ of the year! 😀
Thanks for all the support!
Rob
