Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in event planning but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with David Calzaretta, President & Founder of Magnificent Events & Entertainment, located in Meza, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Magnificent Events & Entertainment produce events and book talent and live entertainment for private and corporate events, weddings, and festivals. We also are the exclusive agency for the nationally renowned cover band Maggie Speaks, which has performed in 13 different countries and 34 different states. We also book Celebrity Talent for many of our private clients. Many Fortune 500 companies utilize our services, but we also work with anyone that is having an event and needs entertainment.
Tell us about yourself
I graduated with my degree in accounting from Indiana University and passed the CPA Exam. I have always had a creative side and a passion for performing and producing. I started the band Maggie Speaks as a hobby when I was 24 years old, but I always ran it like a business. After two years, I was able to quit my day job and focus on playing music. As Maggie Speaks became more popular, we began to scale. I now own six different casts of the group based in Arizona and Chicago. We do over 400 shows a year all over the world. Each day I am motivated by the fact that I have had boring 9 to 5 jobs, and whether I am performing or producing an event, I can make other people forget about their jobs for a while and put smiles on their faces.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have built a program called Celebrity Sit-In, where world-famous singers perform their greatest hits with Maggie Speaks as the backing band. I am one of two bands in the country to successfully build a program of this magnitude. The clients love it, and selfishly for me, I get to perform and work with many of my idols from when I was growing up.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The uncertainty of the entertainment business is a challenge. Entertainment is disposable or discretionary income for clients, so depending on how well the economy is doing often shapes what kind of year you will have. The pandemic created many challenges, losing all of our work because live performances were not possible. We have persevered, though, and continue to thrive in the private event market.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Follow your heart, and your wallet will catch up.
- When you first start, establish and document your procedures so you can replicate them when the time comes to scale.
- Keep your sense of humor, and remember that no one ever died wishing they had spent one more day in the office. Take time for yourself and your family, as tomorrow is never promised to anyone.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://magevents.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnificentevents
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnificent.events
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcalzaretta/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.