Clay Clark Spins Success At Growing DJ Connection
By KENDRA BLEVINS
Associate Editor
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUER: Clayton Clark stands next to the wall of history at the DJ Connection suite. His major goals for this year and next are to empower leadership in the company as well as provide motivational speaking to area businesses and schools.
KENDRA BLEVINS for GTR Newspapers
“Welcome to DJ Land.” That plaque is on the door that leads to one of the best places to work, if you have a good attitude. Clayton Clark, owner of DJ Connection, is in the business of training people to have good attitudes. But this is only one of his talents, as he was awarded the 2007 State of Oklahoma Young Entrepreneur of the Year and named as one of the top 40 entrepreneurs under 40 by a local magazine. DJ Connection was voted as Tulsa’s Top Wedding Vendor for 2006.
DJ Connection is continually growing with sales passing the $1 million mark for 2007 and that number is the projected outcome for 2008. The company has 46 DJ’s who work at 60 events a week in Dallas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
“Our company is upwardly mobile. You have to participate or be ejected like a virus,” says Clark.
From the first phone call the client makes to DJ Connection to the last dance of the night, every step is designed and scripted. Each DJ is rated after the event and the scores add up to a ranking. Josh Smith has the longest tenure at DJ Connection, six years, and is also one of the highest rated DJ’s, next to Eric Cooper.
“He and Josh fight back and forth for the top rank,” says Clark.
The highest ranked DJs answer the phones and try to carry the excitement and joy to the first consultation.
“We want our customers to be filled with joy,” says Clark.
He recently appointed Daniel McKenna as casting director to oversee the surveys and communication between DJs.
“I find good people and we’re always hiring because we’re looking for the best people out there,” says McKenna. “I support our guys and am the contact for all the DJ’s for suggestions.”
McKenna started at DJ Connection in February 2008 and says it’s a lot of fun.
“The atmosphere is great. You can’t go wrong when you’re having fun with people.”
Jason Bailey started with DJ Connection four years ago while he was at Northeastern State University working on his computer programming degree. He is now vice president.
“I actually run the day to day operations, manage the sales team, work with the product manager and also answer all the emails. And try to take over the world,” he says.
“It’s my favorite job of all time. I’ve never wanted to go anywhere else. It’s extremely fun and lets you be as creative as you want to be,” Bailey says.
Clark’s father, Thom Clark, recently joined the team in accounting.
In the front of the office is what Clark calls the Bridal Boutique. Basically, a soon to be wed couple can choose a photographer, such as traditional photographer Chad Moss or the ultra creative Thompson Photos, hire a videographer at Cherished Traditions, set up beverages and hire a DJ all in one spot. Out of the 60 events DJ Connection does, 80 percent are weddings. DJ Connection also does Halloween parties, birthdays, new years and corporate events. Call (918) 481-2010, or go to Djconnectiontulsa.com for more information.
Updated 08-25-2008
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