Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Katzen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My earliest musical memories are with my parents and I spending most Saturday nights together, until I was a teenager of course. As early as 6 0r 7 I would be entertaining them with my impromptu dance, while also playing all their favorite cassettes and cds on are awesome TEAC sound system.
I started the DJ game a bit later than most. When everyone was hitting the rave scene in the mid to late 90’s I was in high school just in enjoying life being a cheerleader, yes still a little entertainer. I graduated in 1998 and went to a college, studied to be a Nurse. I had never yet really seen an actual DJ in a club, Most DJs were hidden and behind glass. I graduated in 2001. I got my first job the same month I turned 21, I had a coworker who was originally from Chicago and spent many years up north in SF and Santa Cruz. He was the one that exposed and schooled me on what House and Techno was. He took me to my see my first DJ and it was Mark Farina. Mark Farina was from Chicago too. When I saw him in action the first time I was really taken by his happy energy, cool music, and bobbing head moves. He was so happy and into it and he was so close I could touch him if I wanted. So, I can say with a full heart that Mark Farina and House Music changed my life. I have met many people since who have said the same thing about Mark and house music. I have heard some call House music “Their Church” and even attend Day Parties on Sunday as they would a church.
Once I begin listening to underground House and getting into older more classic techno it began to expand my mind. I picked up the sounds of the “mix”. The Mix is the actual moment when two tracks are blended together and that place in the mix became my refuge.
It became an obsession and something I just had to learn to do.
I never thought “Oh I want to be a famous DJ and Play out in clubs”. I was thinking I’m in love with this music and how it makes me feel.
The longing to mix and DJ took over completely in 2206. I searched out a DJ school in my area and after 5 weeks I could match a beat but still really couldn’t DJ full blown.
Around the same time all the right people started showing up in my life. Before I knew it, I fell into small but very established event production called Enjoy. The group began schooling me on the underground club life and what it really takes to be a good DJ.
These guys were great DJs that went on to produce their own music. By being a promoter, I was able to meet some very talented and famous in their own right DJ/Producers that were coming from all over the world to SD to play at events I was part of. This group liked my enthusiasm and knew I was well liked and could bring people out. But sadly, they never once in over a year gave me the opportunity to DJ. I needed up picking up with a larger group that were not promoter but were very talented DJs. This group’s goal was to DJ and have fun, not to fill a guest list.
This group of people jumped on the Jenny train straight away. They believed in me and encouraged me to play out even when I thought “I’m still not good enough”. When you don’t feel supported you don’t think you can do. So you never get better. And with the love and support of my new group of friends that were also in love with the same music and me, I begin to flourish. They treated me like family even endowing me with a real DJ name “DJ Jenny Jacobs”.
Before I knew it, I had 2 monthly residences in SD. One was even an all-female group. I was helping throw and play at happy day parties by the bay and had more friends and opportunities I could have ever imagined.
I took a break in 2008 and moved home to Lake Elsinore to help my father take care of grandmother, I even set up my decks in her garage and I would play when she was resting. I still needed the music, because I was still in love with music and the joy it brought to my life. As my grandmother got worse she moved into a board and care and so I moved back to San Diego. I was 29 years old now and I was entertaining the thoughts of wanting to get married.
I was getting older (So I though then) and I knew the man I wanted to be my husband was not in the undergrounds or in bars. I was encouraged to get on match by my sweet roommate So I did. I also made a vision board (Theses really work) of pictures relating to marriage. And low and behold in under 3 weeks my dream man found me. We went on one date and over the course of 10 days we both fell madly in love. We were married 2 years later and this year we are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. When we first started I was still DJing a little and I think he liked it. He even helped me upgrade my gear because how happy I made me and in turn, him.
So, in 2011 after we got married. It was in the planning and executing of the wedding that I realized how hard it was to do without help professional help. Thank God, I still had those amazing and supportive friends in my life to help me make that day happen. But it was exhausting for them and by the need of it I think we were all a bit thankful it was all over.
Even though I was now married, I still remained love with music and was still mixing and playing out here and there. And before I knew it My amazing and supportive husband began to encourage me to DJ again more regularly but more professionally, I told him “I’m a nurse 1st! A nurse who likes to DJ”. My husband looked at me and I will never forget this as long as I live and said “You can be anything you want”. I literally broke down in tears and told him no and he reaffirmed “yes you can” and held my hand.
I finally had permission to move fully into my passion for music, something that has been with me since my earliest memories. My truth now became I’m a DJ who can work as a Nurse!!
I made another vision board this one around DJing and business. And then it all started to move in a great direction. My Husband then connected me with an old friend from high school who owned Extreme DJ one of the most busy and reputable DJ services in all of Southern California. I began to work as contractor and was Djing weddings and classy parties. Within that same year with more support of my husband I opened Mix N Hits Entertainment an all-female professional DJ service. I now work part time as a nurse and full time as a DJ. I ‘m busy with weddings, parties, corporate events, fashion shows, retail and school dances.
So I would say this amazing career was 1 part me and 1 part my husband! A truly perfect MIX!!
Has it been a smooth road?
Struggles in the beginning was learning the ins and outs of wedding coordination, vendor relations and the importance of networking. This was all stuff I ended up really enjoying, and began to meet most awesome professionals in this industry. By their examples, I have been able to maintain a successful business doing what I most love. I’m constantly still pushing myself to learn how to always do it better and make the customer journey one that is enjoyable and memorable.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Mix N Hits Entertainment story. Tell us more about the business
Mix N Hits Entertainment is a female owned business that delivers the best in professional DJ and MC services, as well as fabulous lighting for all of your special events. Nothing is impossible for Jenny. She has 10 years of successful experience with weddings, birthdays, and corporate or private parties. From San Diego to Orange County and all cities around and in-between, Jenny keeps the flow of the party moving smoothly with the hand crafted playlists to match the special vibe of your function.
Jenny has the talent to deliver fun and togetherness to your festive gala. Bringing exceptional skills and focused attentiveness to you and your guests, Jenny Katzen has the positive energy that will dissolve any worries, so you can enjoy every moment. Her warmth and hospitality allows people to feel welcome and comfortable while celebrating your special event. Jenny’s versatility and ability to collaborate with your individual style, will create a remarkable time for all to enjoy.
I enjoy being around women and I create lovely friendships with these brides during the planning process. Not everyone can afford a wedding coordinator, and in me they find support, trust and assurance that I am with them every step of the way. I have firsthand experience how stressful it can be for women planning a wedding, and honestly men don’t.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see bringing in more professional, classy, experienced and compassionate female DJs into this industry. Males have by far dominated in this arena for as long as time. I want to change that by empowering women to do something in a man’s world. In a world they might have thought they didn’t belong.
I also want to start a non-profit that helps grow confidence and self-esteem in girls at the high school level. I want to expose these girls to successful women running their own business. College doesn’t equal jobs anymore and I want these young women to know how to be innovative and independent and create a life they enjoy and love living.
Pricing:
- $1195.00-$1695.00 for Full Wedding DJ service
- $150.00 per hour for Party DJ services
- $ 399.00Photo booth Rentals
- $ 25.00 and up for uplighting
Contact Info:
- Address: Mix N Hits Entertainment
101 Acacia Ave., Suite 106
Solana Beach, CA 92075 - Website: http://mixnhitsentertainment.com
- Phone: 858-366-5506
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: mixnhits
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mixnhits/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mix-n-hits-entertainment-solana-beach-2
Image Credit:
Pauline Conway Photography
Heidi O Photo
Dapper Images
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