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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Wednesday, 19 April 2006 |
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One day Becky Robinson saw a kid in a pink shirt fall down at a roller-skating rink. She watched as the skate guard rolled over and helped the child.
“I could do that,” she thought.
Robinson had gone to school to become a teacher, but was running a home day-care center at the time.
She saw the skating rink as an opportunity for a fun part-time job.
It wasn’t long before she was spinning records at the rink in Ohio. The manager of the rink also owned a disc jockey company on the side. Balancing the two jobs proved difficult, so he hired Robinson as his first employee.
“He was the best boss I ever had, other than being my own,” she said.
When she uprooted herself to come to Colorado, she decided to start her own business.
Robinson now runs Midnight Music DJ Service in Loveland and specializes in weddings and parties where a variety of music is requested.
Contact Midnight Music DJ Service at
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VITAL STATS
- Name: Becky Robinson, 38, of Loveland
- Company: Midnight Music DJ Service | 613-8321 or
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- Title: Owner of Professional Mobile DJ/MC/Entertainer
- How long have you worked there? Six years as owner in Colorado and two years in Ohio under Kevin Ward of Midnight Music & Memories
IN HER WORDS
What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
Keeping up with the current music. It comes out so quick, yet so many songs/artists are just a flash in the pan. They’re loved today yet forgotten tomorrow and music is quite expensive especially— when I am dedicated to obtaining all my music legally.
Things that impress you?
Total honesty, people that can find the good in any situation and keep a smile on their face, the dance-ability of today’s contemporary Christian music, offers from clients to help me load up after an event, and good tips.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
I would either be an elementary school teacher, self-employed running a home day care, or an independent consultant for Color Me Beautiful.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
I went to a follow-up meeting once at the clients’ parents’ home, and I didn’t take my copy of the paperwork because the bride said she’d have hers. Well, she didn’t and they kept asking me questions I just couldn’t answer without reading the paperwork first. It was such an awkward meeting and totally non-productive.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
Back in College, winter break 87’ and summer break 88’ I worked in a factory that made nuts & bolts for Ford Motor Co. My job was to quality inspect these dirty parts in a sweaty hot (or freezing cold) environment, but when minimum wage was under $4, I was making $6 an hour. Quite awesome money when you’re living with your grandparents. Oh, to have those days back again!
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
I was on the dance team in high school and college, did the morning announcements over the PA system in junior high and high school and was in numerous theater productions in high school and beyond. Plus, my mom and grandparents really loved music and dancing too, so I was exposed to a big variety of music.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Being naturally high as a kite after performing an event.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
The things listed above, exercise, spend time with my family, yard work and gardening, housework, shopping, networking, reading and exploring different neighborhoods and parts of Colorado.
Family?
My husband Rick and I will be celebrating our third wedding anniversary on May 24th. I have a son, Ryan, who just turned 12 in March.
Pets?
A lab/chow mix named Rush.
Favorite TV shows.
I used to watch CSI & CSI Miami religiously, but gave them up about three weeks ago. I decided to only watch programs I felt comfortable allowing my son to watch with me.
Movies?
None really. My husband is the movie buff, but I could take them or leave them. Last week we did watch the new ABC rendition of the Ten Commandments.
Books?
I’m currently reading “This Present Darkness” by Frank E. Peretti, and trying to keep up with the ones Ryan is reading by the same author, “The Door in the Dragons Throat” and “Escape from the Island of Aquarius.” Prior to that, I had read three books by Lori Wick.
What Web sites do you have book marked?
None, but I do receive daily messages from Way FM, Teen Devotionals and plan on signing up for K-Love.
Where do you play?
Sylvan Dale Ranch, Ellis Ranch, Tapestry House, Ptarmigan and Cottonwood Club. Oh, sorry, you didn’t mean play music, you meant have fun, right? Well in that case, the beach at Lake Loveland, Water World and local parks.
Go out to eat?
At all my events. Plus, our personal favorite restaurant is Johnny Carino’s.
Favorite spot?
My back deck.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
I don’t have any employees yet, but I have been looking for that right someone and have even applied to hire a student intern.
Makes you get out of bed in the morning?
The FUN I have at every event, working with clients to plan the perfect event, making dreams come true, seeing dancers smile and or lip sync and watching young & old mix it up on the dance floor. Music is so cross-generational; it really does bring people together.
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
No, this profession has taken me completely by surprise. I went to college to be an Elementary School Teacher, planning on teaching K-2 grade. I was running a home day care so I could be home with my own child, when I started working part time at a local roller rink in Ohio. I started as a guard, and developed into a DJ. I initially thought this made a FUN part-time, on occasion job, and was completely taken by surprise when Kevin suggested I start my own business and just rent the equipment from him. Three years later, I was buying some of his used equipment instead of taking a pay check, and then moved to Colorado and promptly started my own business. Total snow-ball effect. Eighteen months ago, I was able to let go of my part-time job as a substitute teacher to focus on my business full time.
Things that don’t impress you.
Lies, broken promises, drinking, smoking, offensive music and baggy pants that let your underwear show (whether male or female.)
Any interesting anecdotes?
My favorite is about my son, Ryan. When he was about 2, we were driving in my van and he asked me, “Are you going to be a lemon?” I repeated the question to him. He replied, “No, are you going to be a lemon?”, but slower this time. I repeated it and then he repeated it, but very frustrated. Finally I said, “I’m sorry Ryan, I just don’t understand what you’re asking me, to which he replied very forcefully, “SLOW THE VAN DOWN!” “Oh”, I said, “Am I going the speed limit?”
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
My job is perfect for me. I love everything about making parties fun, so I don’t think I have any.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
Well yes and no. I own the business, but all events are customized to my clients’ specifications. I also truly believe that God is my C.E.O. so I pray, journal, read my bible, sing and sign to contemporary Christian music almost daily and open myself to receiving clear direction from HIM.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
Buy and collect my favorite music and dance.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
Other than that one time, I’m always smart; but I’m most proud of my willingness to work with all clients and the difficulties of budgeting, by offering to barter services or items. Thus far I’ve bartered with a chiropractor, nail technician, hair stylist, house painter, landscaper, dental hygienist, and received a computer up-grade and a washer and dryer. I’m currently looking to barter with a massage therapist, nail technician, chiropractor, web-site designer and a printer or publisher for brochures & business cards, but I’m also open to new ideas.
What do you do during your breaks?
The nice thing about my quality system is I can take a short break, but the music keeps right on playing. During this time I can mingle with the guests, eat dinner, dance, check in with my family via cell phone, enjoy the ambiance of the location, use the ladies room or brush my teeth, which I almost always do after eating. | Only registered users can write comments.
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