Check Out Ben Suggs’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Suggs. 

Hi Ben, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved music and entertaining my whole life. From making my own EPSN recaps with my dad’s camcorder when I was 10 or “DJing” my friends’ birthday parties in middle school with my 3-disc CD changer, I’ve always found myself playing that role wherever I go. But I never thought to make a career of it until my senior year of high school. I was tapped to do the announcements and decided to do some ad-libbing. I could hear my friend laughing down the hallway, and when I finished one of the assistant principals found and flagged me down in the hallway. I thought I was in trouble! But she actually recommended that I take a college day to check out the Broadcasting Program at Central Carolina Community College. I did and ended up attending and graduating that program. While I was there, I made loads of connections in and around the local broadcasting and entertainment industry. I went on to work in radio for a few years for iHeart Media (then called Clear Channel) in Greensboro and Raleigh – eventually getting on-air with the popular G105. But during my time in college, I became friends with a few others who were DJing local clubs, parties, and schools. Specifically, I had a friend who had his own mobile DJ company and taught me the basics of mixing, reading crowds, and the setup/breakdown process of mobile entertainment. 

After working for a few years, I began to develop my own convictions about business and had a strong network of relationships-turned-clients in my area that allowed me to branch out and start Southern Entertainment in 2006. My roommate at the time was a graphic designer and he helped me get the business started, along with being a roadie and DJ in his own respect. I benefitted a lot from some great industry mentors who would model good business and performance practices and would give me chances to work with their clients whenever they were unable to. Over the years we went from doing mostly schools and birthdays to finding a sweet spot in the wedding market. We worked often in the Triad and Triangle areas but also found that we were bringing a big city service to these in-between markets like Sanford, Pinehurst, and at home in Chatham County where we were familiar. 

While continuing to DJ, I eventually left the Radio field in favor of church ministry. In 2008 I helped a personal friend and mentor plant a non-denominational Christian church in the little town of Liberty, where I eventually moved. I was the Youth Pastor there for 9 years before transitioning to a Lead Pastor role for another church plant in 2017 in Siler City. All the while, my DJ career has continued to be a great support of that calling, using those skills and expertise in the church and community. I’ve also been able to train and network with other DJs, growing our roster so that we can expand our reach. As my pastoral commitments have grown, I’ve been able to hand over more of the business duties to my Operations Manager Patrick Dorsett, who is a long-time friend and who I’ve trained from the start in 2011.My goal is now to focus more on my church role while also being a mentor and investing in other up-and-coming DJs that will help Southern Entertainment reach and bless more clients in the future! 

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?
It has been anything but smooth! In the beginning, I would take on events for less money and in less-than-ideal situations because I needed the paycheck and I saw those events and opportunities to learn and grow. Sometimes it’s working in less-than-reputable establishments that now I would have declined. Other times it’s a demanding client or a technical / set up challenge. I can’t tell you how many times I ran to Radio Shack for a last-minute converter or cable! (I’m glad they were still open and around back then!) I’ve also had a challenge expanding with the right people. I’ve had others that want to work with me that don’t share my values and business ethics. They say, “good help is hard to find” and that has rung true for me, but I’m thankful that I’ve finally found some good DJs to work with in recent years. But I think my biggest challenge has been balancing my life as a DJ with my other callings. Being a husband, father of now 5, educator, and church planter means I don’t get to obsess 100% of the time on the art or business of being a DJ. There are times I wish I could, but I know that I’m meant to do even more. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There are many different “types” of DJ. I’ve noticed that some DJs are “performers” and in some arenas that is what is needed. Someone who attracts attention with spectacle and gives you an entirely original spin on the music they are playing. But working in the wedding and private event industry, we have to balance our own artistry with the desires and ideas of our clients. I’ve seen some DJs that say, “I don’t play requests” or “playing (fill in the blank group dance) is cheating!” but in my niche, these are vital parts of satisfying my clients and making their guests happy. I have to humble myself to the fact that my opinion about a song doesn’t matter, what matters is what it does for the people on the dance floor. I think what sets me apart is being able to connect personally with the people I work with and to adapt my playlists and performance to fit the moment. 

What matters most to you?
I see myself as a “joy curator”. I know that I didn’t write or produce the songs I play, and I may not necessarily mean much to the clients that hire me, but I always try to bring together the music that they connect to with the moment they are celebrating to give them an experience that they will remember and emotionally connect to. 

Pricing:

• $1,500 -3,000 per wedding, depending on their needs

Contact Info:

• Website: www.southerndjs.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/southerndjs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernentertainment 

Image Credits
Thad & Sarah Lawrence