Meet Rodrigo Alvear of Windy City Mix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodrigo Alvear.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been DJing since I was in 8th grade (1992). My mother bought me some DJ equipment from a friend of hers who needed to get rid of it. So since 8th grade up until junior year in high school it was pretty much a fun hobby. I DJd a lot of family and friend’s house parties for fun. It was not until senior year in high school where I really got interested in the DJ scene with the really cool – fun music and girls loving it so it seemed really cool to be a DJ at that point in my life. My high school gave me a chance to DJ the school’s annual bonfire and that’s where DJing started to become a super big interest with me. After high school I DJd at a lot of clubs in downtown Chicago and pretty much remember being busy about 6 days a week from club to club. That’s where I learned to cater music to all different types of cultures and the genres that kept them on the dance floor. Fast forward to the year 2000, about 8 days before my daughter was born in June, I remember my current employer was merging all departments in just one department and unfortunately, I was one of the employees that was let go. I was panicking knowing I had a baby on the way and was living in an apartment that I had to pay for and what not. However, throughout all my years, I have always read books, watched videos and basically researched on how to make a “simple” DJ hobby into a full blown DJ business. So in August of 2000 – that’s when I took the jump and created what is now “Windy City Mix”. A company with 8 of the best DJs in Chicago that provides the best Mobile DJs, Photo Booths, Monograms, Custom Lighting and Red Carpet Backdrops. Though out the years, I hit so many walls but I never gave up or quit. I was determined to prove people wrong and that just a “simple” DJ can make it a full blow business. A “simple” DJ back in 1992 fast forward now to a nice small business making a little over $120K a year!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a huge struggle. I had so many people laugh at me and tell me that a “simple” street DJ will never be a successful business. I had family members laugh at me, friends look away and tell me I was crazy but I never gave up. I read a lot and did tons of research to ensure my success. Every time I was pushed away and laughed at – it gave me more fuel to prove people wrong. I remember people constantly telling me to get a “real” job, whatever that meant. All my hard work has now paid off to where I can live comfortably and provide for my family. This has to be the coolest job ever. Going to party with different people every week except we get paid for it! Like a wedding crasher except we are actually invited to go party with them. Week after week after week, what an amazing job, huh?! We create the soundtrack to a client’s memorable event! People go back in time and relive their “memorable events in their past due to music! Greatest job ever!

Please tell us about Windy City Mix.
Windy City Mix is a company with an office located in the Northwest side of Chicago that provides Mobile DJs, Photo Booths, Custom Monograms, Custom Lighting and Red Carpet Backdrops for all types of events. We are pretty much known for the way we create and fill up dance floors for all types of cultures. We believe that DJing is much more than just playing music, especially when doing weddings which is what we specialize in. Weddings are like playing in the big leagues, no room for errors and we only get one shot at getting things perfect for one of the couple’s most memorable days of their lives. We are known for the company that DOES NOT just press play and sit behind some turntables. We actually help coordinate the event with the client and get involved as much as we can. Kind of like event coordinators on the day of the event.

I am most proud of the reputation we have earned as one of the best DJ companies in all of Illinois. We have won several awards from Bride and Grooms as well as an award from the “Best of Chicago Business” organization. I even have had the honor of co-authoring a book with Julie Halloway called the “Entrepreneur within You Vol. 3” which is a great read for people trying to start up their dreams of owning their own businesses.

I believe one of the biggest things that sets us apart from others is obviously the great work we do but also the great customer service we provide our clients. Many people ask, why customer service? You’re a DJ, but little do they know that customer services is what makes a client comfortable with our services for their event. Our job is not only to play music but to make a client feel good about their event and assist them in coordinating an event. One of the biggest duties we have is to be honest with a client and let them know what happens if they go this route or if they go that route and from there the client can make their educated decision.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite childhood memories was on Friday and Saturday nights back in the 90’s wanting to stay in and record the hot mixes on the radio on cassettes. I would be ready to press record during the mixes and pause during the commercials. Believe it or not, I still have plenty of those old classic cassettes at home somewhere.

Contact Info:

• Address: Windy City Mix
  1921 N. Harlem Avenue
  Suite 104
  Chicago, IL 60707
• Website: www.windycitymix.com
• Phone: 855-248-9649
• Email: party@windycitymix.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/windycitymix.com
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/windy-city-mix-entertainment-chicago-2

Image Credit:
Sprung Photography, Jolie Images.