In a crossroads with my DJ business, I need some help.

I dont see why not ?
combining both business, it means opens up to more gigs, plus those two in lines with each other anyway, its like fast food joint these days, combining KFC & tacobell under one roof, each maintaining its selling points, but both food can be made under one roof =)

I would totally not limit yourself to just adding weddings. Although “mobile DJ” to me doesn’t limit when or where I play, I have yet to really seek out wedding gigs. Once I do start to seek out other gigs, it will be all sorts, corporate Christmas parties, weddings, anything that goes on in my area will be in my target.

Make sure that you’re prepared, with the proper gear and skills, for whatever you venture into. Having a bad show could hurt you more than you’d think. DJTLM had a video on taking gigs which you don’t normally do, or playing music that you don’t normally play. Good into on that channel, check him out.

Before I start really looking to do weddings, I have my sights set on having backup gear, that means a second setup for DJing, either a mixer and CD players or a second laptop and controller, and also at least one spare powered top, in case one decides to fail, or gets knocked over again but doesn’t fare as well as the last time that happened. I also have more uplighting on my list of gear to get. Uplighting is something that I plan to use to help me get those wedding gigs, once I hit the wedding show circuit. At this time I don’t have the gear to offer the services I think will make me stand out in that area, so I’m sticking to what I’ve been doing already. If a friend or referral asks me to do a wedding, I will likely take the gig, but not until I have talked with them and explained fully what I can and can’t offer, and also not without taking a backup along. For now, my backup is the fact that my powered tops are just that, and I COULD play on just one if I HAD TO, I also have a backup source ready to go on the aux input of my controller, in case I need to reboot or something. Add to that an analog mixer in the truck, and a borrowed pair of CDJs, for something like a wedding.

In the near future I plan to pick up some wireless mics, lapel type and also a handheld, along with a mixer(live sound type) that will allow me to record. This, like uplighting, is one of the things that I plan to use to sell my wedding services. Being able to mic up the official and bride/groom, and put that over PA speakers so everyone can hear the ceremony, would be a big plus. Add the ability to record the ceremony and also to play the vows during the couple’s first dance, and I think I have a couple things to offer to help me stand out from the rest of the DJs in my area.

I eventually plan to branch out into doing lighting and SR for live shows, so most of the gear on my list serves multiple purposes. These same things could be used for corporate parties, seminars, etc.

Keep us posted, and let us know how things progress…. Oh, and depending on the name you’re using, you may or may not want to “relaunch”… if you’ve made an impact locally, and people know your name, you might want to keep it… there could be a number of factors involved there, let us know what name/s you’ve been using and are considering. For instance, I’ve been using Benewah Beats for my name, not the name of a DJ, but the name of my mobile entertainment company. I don’t call myself DJ (insert name here), instead go by my real name. Depending, this might work out for you, by using your current DJ name for referring to yourself, and having a name for your company as well. Again, let us know what name/s you have been using and are considering and we might be able to give more input. My two cents would be that there is no need for having two separate companies, that seems like a lot of unneeded hassle doing two sets of licensing, tax, banking, insurance, and other papers. Also, equipment purchases would have to be for one or the other it seems, not sure how “sharing” inventory and overhead between two companies would work, when you get down to the nittty gritty as far as the taxman is concerned.

Lots to think about, I feel for you as I’m also in the process of growing and moving beyond private parties and a bar now and then, and into doing more upscale gigs. Definitely not to be taken too lightly. Best of luck to you, and definitely keep us posted…