Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Mora.
Hi Juan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins about 25 years ago. My father was a dj but had already stopped djing. My father had all his turntables inside his closet but they never got out. One night, I decided to go through his closet and take out all the turntables and mixers he had. I have always had a fascination of electronics and connecting and disconnecting them. So it was only right to connect them myself. I stayed up all night playing with them. About a year later, it was my sister’s birthday and I had upgraded my dj system to a Playstation 1 and a cd player with speakers. I memorized the playstation music screen so I could cue up a song and hit play or pause whenever needed. I would continue using this system for two years until my dad got me my first official dj cd players. They were some really low-end numark cd players with built-in speakers. I used this system and did some of my dad’s holiday parties where he worked.
Word got around that I was doing events and keeping people happy with my music selections that they would call me to book me as well. During this time, we had a guy named Carlos Morales who was djing all of our family parties. I would study how he moved a crowd, how he would MC an event. My parents would introduce me to him and he would give me an opportunity to work at a place called Explosion Musical which was a cd store inside plaza fiesta. This was around 2001, I was working there as a DJ salesman. We were the only Latino store that was debuting the Pioneer CDJ 1000. I would hold training classes for guys that wanted to learn. I would also sell pioneer dj equipment. During the week, Since it was very slow, I would take my shift and just practice, practice practice. All this, and I was just 15 years old. Carlos and I would stay in touch after I left and two years later, on my sisters Quinceanera, Carlos allowed me to do a set for her party.
During this time, Reggaeton was BARELY starting to sound, and I played a set of reggaeton. This is what really sparked my interest in taking this to the next level. The way the crowd responded and jumped when I played songs gave me a great feeling. I would literally practice every day after school, weekends, anytime I had available. I got to the point where I would listen to the radio station and think of three songs that would blend well with that and practice that mix at home. I would also have my friends challenge me with some off the wall blends. This would help me get experience with different music genres and likes from different people. I continued practicing and started releasing small mixtapes out at boutiques and flea markets all over Gainesville. One day, I got a call from a girl who told me that they heard my mixtape at a party and they wanted me to make more. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. During that time, there was a nightclub called STARZONE. Fridays was all reggaeton they called “San Juan Reggaeton nights” and Saturday was more Latin Tropical. I would go as a patron on Fridays and instantly fell in love. This was the music that I played and this was the music that I listened to.
At the same time, as much as I loved it, I also thought that I could do a way better job then the djs already there. Lol, I ended up asking for the owner of the night. His name was Robert. I asked if I could be a dj at his club. He kind of gave me a cold shoulder but invited me into his office. He asked ok, where can I hear you. Lucky for him (and me), lol, I had a copy of the mixtape I released out in Gainseville, he popped the cd into the radio and started listening to some of the songs and mixes. He asked me to come back Friday ready to work. This created a special bond with Robert where He opened the doors and introduced me to alot of different people in the industry. I was a nightclub dj from 2000-2016, I was able to dj and open up for Various artists and various celebrity parties. I have always been a person that would think about my future in five years increments. In 2011, I had my first son. Kevin. I enjoyed spending time with him but with the nightclub, I would wake up tired the next day. I told myself that I would have to look for something different. Still dj but no clubs. I was already doing private events in the event space, but they weren’t as consistent as nightclubs. I started focusing my attention on corporate events, weddings and sweet 16s. I noticed that a lot of companies had the same music played at these events and I wanted to bring something different. I went from practicing daily to researching daily different trends and ideas from all over the USA. I would try to see how I can incorporate that into private events in the GA market.
Two years later, Adrian my second son was born. Now with two kids, I left the nightclub lifestyle behind and focused 100% of my time to private events. My wife Yesenia would always be my support with all my crazy ideas. She would literally be setting up equipment with me and going to every event with me as well. I would go by the stage name Dj Meatball, but one day a bride searched Dj Meatball in Google, the results showed all the mixtapes, clubs, rapper mixtapes I did for others, and she hated it. She told me she didn’t want that at her event and eventually canceled all communication with us. This triggered a thought in my head to think about a change in my name that will match what I was providing and bringing into our market. This is where K&A comes from (Kevin and Adrian) we were event professionals and wanted to provide something different to our market. No longer wearing tuxedos, no longer long banquet tables with ugly skirts, not your typical event. This is where Event Professionals came from. We knew what we were doing and providing. All our clients loved the professionalism we offered. so we decided to name our company K&A Event Professionals. 6 years later, We are one of the most sought-after Bilingual Entertainment company in GA.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road. Some of the obstacles I encountered was my past as a dj in the nightclub. I was classified as a “ghetto Mexican dj” because I played hiphop and reggaeton. People would literally search my dj name and find all the mixtapes online and didn’t want that element in their party. We had to change our image to match what service we provided. We also had to prove to people that they can trust me with their event and that I wasn’t only stuck on one certain genre. Money was also an issue. We dreamed big but the bank account said WAIT A MINUTE, lol. Equipment is expensive. I would also purchase things that wouldn’t be a good fit for us and sell it at a loss. It took some trial and error but we were able to dial in our dream setup.
As you know, we’re big fans of K&A Event Professionals. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
K&A Event Professionals was started as a need in our industry. I didn’t see myself djing in nightclubs when I got older. I also noticed a need in the industry where people were wanting more in the event space. Not just setting up a table, playing some songs, and leaving. Couples were looking for that production value. Couples wanted nightclubs at their event. So we delivered. We specialize in Weddings and Corporate Activations. We also Specialize in Quinceañeras and Sweet Sixteens, anything private event-related we crush.
We are known for our Bilingual Work, we are also known for our special effects, creating special memories, and bringing a PARTY to their event.
What sets me apart in my opinion is the connection we have with all our clients. Private events can be stressful and our job as an entertainment company is to entertain, be the fun part of the event. With that in mind, we make everything we do from planning to executing as fun and easy as possible to our clients. I’m also a people person. all our clients feel like family on day one of communication with us. It just makes the event alot more personal for us. We also don’t treat a client like a paycheck, we care about what the vision is and how we can execute that vision into a reality.. it is our branding… YOUR DREAM EVENT A REALITY
I’m proud to say that we are one of the most sought-after Bilingual Entertainment companies in GA. We don’t advertise, we dont market. Our business is 100% word of mouth… when clients and vendors hear about K&A Event Professionals, They know exactly who we are and what we bring to the table.
We are a Bilingual Latin Entertainment company who services the GA area. We offer Photobooths, Lighting, Dj, and Nightlife services. We are a Husband and Wife Team.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Advice I would give to someone young wanting to get into the industry is to GO FOR IT. Don’t stop working on you and your dream. I had a lot of negative comments said to me. If I listened to that, K&A wouldn’t exist. If you have a passion for something, go 100% for it and work as hard as you can to make that passion a reality.
One thing I wish I knew when I was starting out. It’s ok to ask for help, I also just wish I had someone who was in the industry give me some type of insight or help. Ego is something that allowed alot of companies to ignore my request for help. I make it my mission to remember that and help any and everybody who has questions because I know how hard it was for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: Booking@KAEventProfessionals.com
- Website: www.KAEventProfessionals.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/KAEventProfessionals
- Facebook: Facebook.com/KAEventProfessionas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kaeventprofessionals
