Today we’d like to introduce you to Darryl Dungee.
Hi Darryl, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I moved here from Baltimore, MD on 7-25-2019 the reason for moving was I was offered a radio position that fell through due to budget cuts. From there, I was jobless, didn’t know anyone and after just a few months here I become homeless and slept in my car of a planet fitness parking lot for a few weeks & showered there, left with no family or friends I ended up telling my mom, she put me in a hotel for a week to figure things out.
My mom and grandmother found me a house for rent, they paid for everything to get me started until I landed employment driving trucks in October 2019, things started getting a little better. I was working, networking in my field of nightlife and djing, even landed a few gigs here and there. Then came Covid in march of 2020, I was laid off and back to square one. No savings no luck.
I brainstormed for days on how to make money, the house I was living in was huge so I decided to throw weekly house parties to pay rent and other bills from April till June. I charged an entry, I sold food cooked by me, we had a DJ and drinks. I used social media and text blasts to send out invites. In June of 2020 things started opening back up and I got a call from a friend about an opportunity to throw events at a new sports bar that was opening called Jonathan’s. I began throwing events there and it took off really well. I ended up being the main promoter there for over a year.
I finally was in a good space and place. I generated so much revenue that I opened up a clothing store inside of triangle mall in November of 2020. We closed in April of 2021 due to low traffic and lack of sales but the work didn’t stop, I continued to throw events weekly. Fast forward to 2021 I expanded events all across the RDU area. In June of 2021, I was offered the general manager position of formally known mangos nightclub, another venue I threw events at weekly.
In 6 months, I contributed to generating over $350,000 in sales, In January of 2022, we decided to close our doors to remodel and do a name change. We are now fully remodeled and open as a club love a classier upscale look & vibe for all walks of life to come and have fun day or night. I’m also now the “coo”.
In between these times I’ve been able to provide for myself and my family, provide jobs for Raleigh residents and give residents a place to come and be free, have fun and meet new people. I’ve been a DJ for 22 years, an event planner for 13, I’ve traveled the world to DJ, been on multiple radio stations, a sub-contractor.
DJ for carnival cruises, provided services for fortune 500 companies, weddings, proms, b-days, and more. My goal is to continue to be the face of building up Raleigh nightlife with unmatched vibes.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way? Nothing about this road came in the form of smooth. I’ve been homeless, no money, broken relationships, friendships, loneliness, depression, became suicidal, and unmotivated.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in everything nightlife, DJ, event planner, host, and graphic designer.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My ability to light up a room in silence, playing music that creates memories for life. Changing a person’s mode from sad to happy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @followthedj
