Darnell Jackson Jr - How to get $15,000 event bookings

Dex: 0:00

Hey, welcome to another episode of in the black I am Dex and I wanted to talk to you about parties. yeah. You know, weddings, events, birthdays, whatever, you know, when you're sitting at the party or even better dancing, having a good time. And the DJ puts on that perfect song. Well, it kind of takes a little bit of experience and a little bit of know how and a little bit of psychology to really get the mood going. It takes a very special person. And today we're gonna talk to that special person. And with that, I want to get into our guest today. Mr. Darnell Jackson, Jr. Darnell, how's it going?

Darnell Jackson Jr: 1:03

I'm pretty good. How you doing Dex?

Dex: 1:05

Hanging in there, man, hanging in there. I wanted to get into a few things with your business and everything that you do, but, let's start off with, telling us about your business because as much as I know about you, I, I can't tell your story as well as you can. Tell me about your.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 1:23

I have a couple of different businesses as a matter of fact. So, First thing is, you know, I started out as a rapper back in, you know, the early two thousands and stuff. And, you know, getting to that, trying to learn how to, maneuver through that field, that kind of brought out that entrepreneurial spirit, you know, going out and selling CDs and stuff out of the trunk and, and everything. And I had to figure out how to, you know, put graphics into stuff onto. My CDs and, and create merchandise. So that's how I got into graphic design and I started Rip Studios. So today Rip Studios has evolved into doing marketing and branding services for entrepreneurs and businesses. So we design everything from retractable, banners, billboards, business cards, postcard, flyers, digital, digital images, and everything. So we have, also just opened up a photography studio. So now we can do you. Type of, you know, branding, photography and all those sort of things. So that's, that's how we got into Rip Studio, which is probably like my longest standing business. Outside of that, branching off of the music, I started DJing, and a few years ago officially we started our brand CAJ event group where we offer DJ photo booth and throne rental services, for, corporate events, private functions. that. We also have CAJ legacy group and with CJ legacy group, we offer, financial mentorship. So we help people when it comes to personal credit business credit, just financial services to help them. You know, if they're trying to move into a more entrepreneurial lane and start businesses, we help set that foundation and everything up and more recently. Started CAJ auto group, where we'll be doing some automotive brokering, on the back end with different dealers and stuff like that. Um, so yeah, and I also have a, um, I also have a woodworking business called Jackson park creations, where back in the midst of the pandemic, when it started in 2020. I took up woodwork and, and started learning how to do carpentry. So, um, do custom wood creations, mostly outdoor furnitures, and some custom interior pieces and stuff as well, but more so on the side, but it does pretty well. That business does really well. That that business actually is what helped me step away from my nine to five and just take my, you know, my business endeavors out full.

Dex: 3:49

Oh, that's what's up, man. That, that actually kind of leads me into my next question. What'd you do before you started all of this?

Darnell Jackson Jr: 3:58

Well, I quit my job in 2020. Not too long after the pandemic really got here. I was working at Georgia power, in a coal power plant here in Cartersville. I started out at plant ham, ina, Georgia, and transferred to. In 2014 to, plant Bowen here in Cartersville and was just an auxiliary equipment operator and worked 12 hour swinging shifts. I was able to work on the ammonia team for the last little bit before I left, where I was able to get, you know, day shift and everything, but it was definitely a, you know, it could be an intense job at moments, but, you know, it was just a stepping stone to help me get to where I needed to.

Dex: 4:37

Definitely man. Definitely. And so how long did it take for you to. You know, go from just starting it to where you were doing it full.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 4:49

Well, Georgia power. I was there from like 2011 to 2020, so right at nine, nine years. Before I got on at Georgia power, you know, I was an entrepreneur as well. I had the recording studio with studios, also serve sold merchandise and stuff on the side, like shoes and clothing and everything. Got tired of doing that and, had the opportunity to work at Georgia power and get everything a little bit more, stay stable and steady and got complacent for a long time. But then I realized it was something that I really didn't enjoy doing, working for somebody else and working inside an industrial setting, which, isn't viable for somebody who has, you know, more creative type personality. So I definitely, You know, when things took off with the wood working in the summer of 2020, I made sure I had a lot of my affairs in order and paid off as much debt as possible. So when I did make the move to transition out of working, for somebody else, I had my monthly overhead as low as possible. So that definitely helped to have, my finances and stuff in order to pay off as much. Um, but I, I don't have like a, you know, it's not like a direct question, you know, direct answer because, you know, I've always, even while I was working full time at Georgia power, I was still doing things on the side, like graphic design for clients, DJing, stuff like that. It wasn't really until the pandemic, that I was like, oh, I can really take care of myself by doing what I want to do without working for somebody else. And, you know, got my affairs in order and just took that leap of.

Dex: 6:23

Wow man, that, I'm sure that provided it sounds like it provided you a ton of freedom um, and you don't just do one thing. You do so many different things. Um, talk about how that freedom has expanded you to, to do things that were sort of outside of your normal realm, I guess.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 6:42

Yeah, I mean, well, you know, being able to do what I want to do when I want to do it, I definitely had, some back issues from working in the power plant, so, you know, day to day, if I need to get up and go to the chiropractor or if I need to go to stretch therapy, or if I just wanna go to the lake and relax and stuff like that, I'm on my own schedule. So, you know, I control. My own time. Being able to get up when I feel like it, I still get up pretty early, you know, on most, most days and everything. I do have to do a little bit, be a little bit better as far as like having a, a, a, a straight schedule, because sometimes when you do have that amount of freedom, you know, you can, you know, be all over the place. So that's still one of the things I somewhat struggle with is having a solid schedule and everything, but at least I know that. And so I'm trying to get more focused on getting that together, but yeah, you know, um, this morning my daughter had to go and speak at a middle school for FCA. So, I was able to just get up and go with her to record it and not have to, call into work or tell 'em, Hey, can I, be a little bit later or anything like that, it's just, get up and get that done. Come home, ate breakfast, design some business cards for a client. And now I'm on this interview and stuff with you and, you know, after I, you know, oh, I did a, a consultation with a client before I got on the call with you. So, just like that I can, I can wing it some days or I can plan things out exactly how I wanna do it. So the freedom is amazing.

Dex: 8:09

Yeah, it really is. What, what did that song say? The freedom is better than breathing. Uh, that was what Lupe fiasco. Yeah. It's it's almost always fun and games until it becomes work, but it doesn't sound like it's ever become work for you

Darnell Jackson Jr: 8:26

It's a little bit different every day. You know, this is a creative, sometimes you can get burnt out if you're overdoing things and you know, so, so much, so, so sometimes I can take a break, if I get. Bogged down with too many graphics, projects and everything like that sometime I'll just tell people, Hey, you know, I'm booked out for the next two or three weeks last year. I know I took a month off of doing graphics just so I can kind of decompress from designing so much because I just hated sitting down at the, the laptop in that time. Then on that time, I can just focus on something else. If I want to go out to my workshop and, do some woodwork and I can do that. If I want to go and focus on creating some music in the studio, I can do that. If I wanna push my, event group company a little bit more, I can push that a little bit harder, you know? So that way, I'm just not so bogged down with one particular thing that I.

Dex: 9:16

Oh man. That's that's perfect, man. You brought up actually my next question, which was about your event group. Tell me about that and how you got started with that. And some of the things that you offer with it.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 9:29

Yeah. So Initially, coming out of the rap world when my rap name was Jack Rip. And a lot of older folks in Cartersville Bartow county area called me Jack da Rip. I don't know how they came up with that, but, uh, it is just Jack Rip, but yeah, I kind of started DJing, some, some local local events and parties and stuff. Um, and I really wanted to. The company to the next level where I weren't wasn't, just getting nickel and dime type, business and everything from it. I really wanted to make some good money with it. So, I found a, a mentor on online and I seen where he was doing events and they were paying them anywhere from five to 12,000, to come out and DJ an event. And I was like, wow, you know, I'd love to do that. I'm only getting like four and 500. So he was like, man, you know, my type of clientele, you have to look the part you have to, you have to play the role that they want. And he's like the type of clientele that I have. They're not gonna hire DJ Jack Rip. So he told me I had to rebrand and, and, and change up my image a little bit. So I went and bought some suits and got 'em tailored. He told me to help change, you know, change my mindset. So I rebranded everything from, just DJ Jack rip to CAJ event Group. And this was in, um, this was at the very end of 2019 and, took some pictures with me wearing my tailored suits and had the new logo with CAJ Event Group. And the very last two events of 2019. They were two, $1,000 events that booked me out. And I was like, wow, this works, you know? And then at the beginning of 2020, before the pandemic actually hit the first quarter of 2020, I booked out over $15,000 in gigs, under CAJ Event Group before people started calling and postponing and canceling when the pandemic hit in the middle of March. Yeah, I booked out $15,000 worth of work. Just those first couple of. And everything. And so now, you know, we offer photo booth services. We have a small collection of Thrones, single Thrones and double Thrones that we rent out, whether it be for weddings, wedding showers, birthday parties, baby showers, all type of events, photo shoots, all of that. So, you know, we just expanded the business a little bit more. We diversified to where we could offer more higher quality, services and, you know, it's been doing really well. So. 20, 21 or 2020, we did all right in the midst of the pandemic. But that year I kind of more so focused on the woodworking. And then 20, 21, you know, I just took on fewer events, but were higher price points and already, for 2022, we've booked over 30,000 in events and everything for CAJ Event.

Dex: 12:05

That's what's up, man? That, uh, that is, that is, that is serious, bro. The one thing I did pick up most from that is that, and this is for anybody else that wasn't paying attention. You, you already had them on the hook for DJing, and then you had all. Extras, which up the value of what you are offering

Darnell Jackson Jr: 12:29

Mm.

Dex: 12:29

the,

Darnell Jackson Jr: 12:30

Yeah. The only thing is, like a person, the clientele who you want, you have to make sure you cater to that. So, you know, these people who book me for these thousand $1,500 and up events, the people who come to these events are the same type of people who's looking for that same type caliber talent.

Dex: 12:47

um,

Darnell Jackson Jr: 12:47

So, it's the same thing across any business, you know, those are the people who are gonna be your referrals, the word of mouth and everything. So when I do these higher end weddings or some of these corporate events, the people who see me perform at these places, they're the ones who reach out and was like, Hey, I seen you as so, and so's event, you know, I'd love to have you come and, and do ours. And so it just works like that. Like, I hadn't done any Google ads or anything like that. And then when they see that I offer, other services and stuff as well, it makes it that much more easier. Cuz now logistically they don't have to deal with multiple vendors. They can just deal with me and they already know that I'm gonna bring, a caliber of customer service that they're gonna be pleased.

Dex: 13:31

That's awesome, man. You did mention multiple vendors. Do you meet other vendors? You know, like let's say somebody in catering that you end up partnering with later on or.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 13:42

It's always good to network with, with certain people and yeah. You know, some of the vendors, especially if you have a good time with each other, you exchange numbers. Business card. So, that it's happened a few times. I won't say that it's, you know, my bread and butter, but definitely, one of my events, I had a photographer who, liked my DJing skills and also knew that I had a photo booth. So. She was doing an event and the person who was doing an event needed a photo booth. So she was like, Hey, I work with this really cool guy. He has some, and I was able to get that booking. So it definitely helps to, make friends and, and build your network out.

Dex: 14:18

Let's see somebody, I know that that heard that needed to hear that it, the power of your network is really a very underrated resource because you end up getting for all the work you've already put in. You end up getting a return on your investment. So somebody invites you to party a and then you get asked to do party. You've already been paid for party a. Now you're being paid to do party B. And the only thing you did was put in quality effort. And I think that's something that

Darnell Jackson Jr: 14:50

Operate in excellence.

Dex: 14:51

Yes.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 14:52

You gotta operate in excellence.

Dex: 14:54

dude. Say it again. So somebody in the back can hear you.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 14:57

Hey man, you gotta operate in excellence in everything you do. I mean, you're already out there. You might as well make sure you do it the best to your ability and, and always look and, and try to see where it's something that you can improve upon. So, you know, I think that that's one of the, the main things that I have is, you know, when I come out and DJ an. And everything. I wanna make sure that I have a very neat setup. I want it to be very clean, not a lot of wires showing, and I think people appreciate the attention to detail.

Dex: 15:26

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Definitely. Cable management is is incredibly underrated. it says a lot about you when you don't have wire sitting out to where somebody can trip or, you know, it just looks neater in general.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 15:40

Mm-hmm.

Dex: 15:41

Yeah, representation man. Represent your own brand. That's. And that was something that you learned from your mentor, right?

Darnell Jackson Jr: 15:49

That, I mean, a little bit of that from, from him, but, I don't know if this is just part of my personality, but you definitely, you know, if you, if any, you wanna Excel in anything you need to definitely, get inside groups, that's gonna help you elevate. So I definitely paid for, to get into a DJ group that, that offered all of these steps and tips on how to take your, your services to the next level, to where you can meet that next level of income. So that was definitely one of the things they talked about was a, a, a really. Set up with cable management and just looked really clean. And some people don't really think about that, but it definitely affects, like you said, it represents who you are and it makes people, respect you a little bit more. Especially when it comes to the DJ business, a lot of people tend to not. I won't say respect the DJ as much, but they're not educated as much on why the DJ is so important when it comes to, certain type of events. So you have to you have to educate those people, but then you also have to represent, how you want people to, Respect you and, and look at you. So, I went to a wedding, I had to do a wedding and it was a country, a country thing wedding. Everybody was wearing jeans and cowboy boots with a vest and a tie. And I was the only one out there with a full suit. And I can't tell you how many, people came up to me and, told me I was a class at the way that I was dressed up. And I probably was one of the best dressed in the wedding. So, it makes people want to ask for your business card and, work with you in the.

Dex: 17:16

Oh, yeah. Yeah. That, that completely makes sense, man. That completely makes sense. I mean, it's obvious to somebody like you and I, but I know there's somebody that needed to hear that. So there's

Darnell Jackson Jr: 17:30

Mm-hmm

Dex: 17:31

What was something that you didn't expect to learn when you got into your different businesses that you, that really surprised you and stood.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 17:44

One of the biggest things that my, one of my, the DJ mentor had mentioned to me, he said the only difference between a $500 DJ and a $5,000 DJ is mindset. So if you don't think it's possible, it isn't possible, but once you see it, you can't unsee it. So it's really just about exposure. I don't think anything really surprised me because I was always one of the ones that's out there seeking more information and seeking ways to. A little bit more. So it's like, I'm always searching. It's like, I always innately knew that it was something greater or something more out there. So the biggest thing is just not to be complacent where you're at and always know that it's another level you can take things up to. I mean, that's, I guess that's some advice that I can pull in right there. If that I help answer the.

Dex: 18:31

Oh, definitely, man, definitely. You did talk about doing so many different businesses and sort of no two days of the same, but how do you, how do you stay organized with all that? Is there certain apps that you do or certain processes that you use?

Darnell Jackson Jr: 18:47

There's some apps that's out there, but I downloaded some of them, but never actually used them. Sometimes things, a couple things slipped my mind, but, I. Most of the time, I just try to wing it and just go off a memory. So, but I definitely need to get a little bit more, I definitely need to get a little bit organized, especially as I'm getting a little bit older things slip my mind a little bit more often than not now. So that's one is definit. That's one of the things that I definitely to, to work on is the organization.

Dex: 19:14

Yeah, definitely. I use click up myself to sort of keep organized and, and, you know, they have a bunch of different templates, so, if there's anybody out there I recommend using click up. There will be a link in the show notes for anybody that needs to use it. So, um, yeah. Yeah, definitely. Man, definitely. Now you talked about Rip Studios. You offer music, production, photography, but you've expanded things a bit. And you and I were going to talk about that, but tell us about this expansion, in your offerings.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 19:51

Well with the, the building that I built last year, it's kind, I call it like the multiplex so I can kind of house all of my businesses inside of the multiplex. So I have the, the wood shop to where I can do the carpentry work with Jackson Park Creations. We also have the recording studio area where we can do music recording, voiceover work. And now we're expanding into doing some podcasting to where we could offer like a space for people to come and podcast, but I'm also gonna get into some podcasting myself. My podcast is gonna be called. And diverse is di or DIY D I E verse. So it's like, you know, if I have like musicians on there, cause you know how they say like a rapper, if they spit a verse, they killed it. So it's like, Killing the verse. So it's called diverse. But I'm also going to expand that into, interviewing, different type of entrepreneurs and stuff as well. That way we can kind of blend entertainment and entrepreneurship information all in the same time. But we also have the photography studio where we offer, Brand photography. We also can do like promo videos out there. And then we have a upstairs area. We call the lounge at Jackson park, and it's almost 900 square feet with a bar three big screens, smart TVs, led smart lighting and everything like that. And we can also use that area, whether it be for photography. We can do small business meetings. We could do seminars, we could do private event. Stuff like that. So, I mean, we're trying to really be the one stop shop when it comes to Rip Studios or the Jackson Park Complex.

Dex: 21:27

That is what's up. See, y'all no matter what business you're in. Eventually you're in the real estate business and part of the real estate business is developing and this guy just didn't stop at one thing, now he's into my arena. Podcasting. He'll take over out don't mind, but but it's, uh, it's crazy, man. You know, you took your own advice, there's always another level and you just keep taking it there, man. And more

Darnell Jackson Jr: 21:56

You always gotta be willing to take it up one more time.

Dex: 21:59

Yeah, definitely. Definitely. So, you know, with that million dollars that you plan on making with this, can I order my Porsche now? Or should I wait or wait till the next model? What are we gonna do here? Are we gonna, are we gonna put the

Darnell Jackson Jr: 22:10

You gonna have to wait till, you know, when I get my feet wet with the auto group and everything like that, we're looking to see what we can get for.

Dex: 22:16

Oh, legally binding agreement. You heard it here first. Y'all you heard it here first. what? So what are, you know, besides expanding into podcasting, how are you expanding your business? Cuz you also do the credit for, small businesses in personal

Darnell Jackson Jr: 22:35

Yeah, well, we do the consultation, so we don't actually offer like credit repair or credit servicing as much as we do the consultations and we help people, obtain the information and knowledge that they need to, where they can. Get this stuff rolling themselves. We do, we also can help with business setup and establishment and, and get you set up to where you can start establishing business credit and we give you tools that you need. So you can, if you have any challenges on your personal credit, you can, properly correct those. So that's one of the things I'm definitely passionate about is financial literacy, especially in our community to help our community members use credit as a tool and not be as not, not be afraid of. And, and not let you know credit use them. I think that's gonna be one of the major, things that our community needs to step up in when it comes to, empowering ourselves and getting that economic equality and stuff, when it comes to other, other, groups of people

Dex: 23:32

Yeah. I mean, you can use it as a tool or you can be enslaved to it. And it's, it's crazy because it really is economic enslavement, with some of these rates. Basically anything over 5% on most things is just it's it's getting into the weeds man and not the good weed either. So.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 23:55

yeah, so I enjoy, I'm actually speaking. It's an event that my partner, Philip ed, he, he hosts up in Rome, Georgia once a month called the Winner's Circle. So I'll be speaking at the Winner's Circle in Rome. And then I also host the food and finance event every month on my property, where my partner, who's a private chef Hawk, you know, he cooks and, you know, we educate people on different aspects when it comes to entrepreneurship or just financial advice altogether. So on September 18th, we'll be doing our next one. And we'll be talking about, sales funnels for websites and automation. We'll also be talking about, business leadership and just personal development, leadership skills and stuff as well.

Dex: 24:35

Oh man. That's what's up. That's what's up. It's funny. Cuz my next question was gonna be how are you scaling? But it seems like you're doing more to help the community, but that's not the only thing that you've done to help the community. Tell me about your, your run.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 24:52

Okay. Yeah. Well, so I, I did run for Bartow county school board earlier this year. I did make it past the primary, but I feel like we definitely, we, we made some noise and we, we talked about some subjects that, our opponent and stuff was not talking about or other opponents that were in and other, Districts and stuff they, they weren't really talking about. But over the last, 20 years or so, I've been giving back to the Bartow county community and some of the surrounding counties and stuff as well. Volunteering at FCAs putting together back to school, drives where we gave away, school supplies, provided entertainment, haircuts, and hair dressing for, for students going to Flowering Branch children's shelters to donate our time and efforts, and some, some gifts and stuff as well. Also going out to, Murphy heart's children, orphanage out in Cedartown. Just gathering clothes to take to the homeless feeding people when we can. So, I think it's important for everybody to, to try to, to give back to their community, in, in some sort of way, even, you know, if you don't have the time or, you know, you don't have, you know, truly the passion or you don't know how to get started, you could just donate. To certain, nonprofits or organizations that's out here doing the work. It's no need to try to reinvent the wheel. If you can try to, donate some time or donate some, some items or clothing, some money and everything, and just try to do your part. Cause I feel like when we all do a little bit, we can make a big impact.

Dex: 26:21

Man. I know y'all heard that. It's it's, it's funny, cuz that's what I do. That's what I try and do with this podcast is make an impact, get information of people that need to hear it. And I feel like you drop some Sage on us, man. I can't thank you enough

Darnell Jackson Jr: 26:39

I.

Dex: 26:40

yeah, I, I can't thank you enough, dude. But in case people needed to get ahold of you and thank you themselves. How do they reach out to you, man?

Darnell Jackson Jr: 26:50

Man, you can reach out to me. Well, you know, I have multiple websites, but definitely you can follow me on Instagram at Darnell Jackson Jr. Saying for Facebook is Darnell Jackson Jr. If you wanna learn more about the, event group it's CAJ Event, Group.com or you can also go to cajlegacygroup.com to learn about any of the financial, things that we're doing. We're actually, opening up, 10 slots for a mentorship group called the Foundation Mentorship with Jody or Darnell and Jody, which is my wife. So, we're taking on 10 mentees that we can kind of hold their hand and help get everything up and going for 'em, and help them set up their foundation so they can, go after whatever it is that they want to go after. As far as like mentor, entrepreneurship and everything like that. So everything from, business set up to business establishment, business credit, personal credit, how to start, other passive income streams and stuff like that. So that's definitely something that people can look up on our, website, cajlegacygroup.com

Dex: 27:53

man. Okay. Uh, just so everybody knows I'm gonna have that in the. Show notes and stuff. You're gonna be able to get direct links to my man right here. And, bro, I can't, I can't thank you enough, man, for dropping some really good advice and stuff. I really hope people, reach out and, and get some good info from you because I feel like you got so much more, but we only gave you 30 minutes, man.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 28:17

All right. It's fine, man. I appreciate.

Dex: 28:19

Yeah, definitely. Definitely. Well, thanks again for being on the show, for my man, Darnell, this is your boy Dex and stay with us. We will definitely keep bringing you some of the best in the black community, as far as leaders, entrepreneurs, and the hustlers that make it happen because each one really does need to reach one. And we will give you one every week, every Friday. So make sure you go to our website intheblack-podcast.com. Sign up for the next show. We will have contests and polls and eventually merch. I don't know exactly how soon I'm gonna get into merch, but there's definitely gonna be that. And if you want to support the show, the best way to do is to share with a friend, let them know about the show and, and follow my man Darnell. So again, for Darnell, I am Dex. This is in the black and we are out. You guys have yourself a great day.

Darnell Jackson Jr: 29:13

Peace.