A Mistake Made Twice is a Decision

What if the secret to growing a wildly successful DJ company had nothing to do with music… and everything to do with mindset, systems, and mentorship?

In a recent episode of The Million Dollar Multi-Op Podcast, host David Osborne sat down with Long Island’s own Anthony Sevdinoglou—owner of High Voltage Entertainment—to unpack how he built a thriving DJ business with deep community ties, long-term repeat clients, and a team-first philosophy.

Whether you’re a solo operator or running a 7-figure entertainment brand, Anthony’s journey offers practical wisdom for anyone trying to scale beyond the booth.

The Spark: From Discman to Destiny

Anthony’s DJ journey started like many others—pure chance. In 2001, a gym buddy invited him to spin CDs at a college graduation party. Armed with two Sony Discman players, no real gear, and zero expectation of pay, Anthony discovered a lifelong passion. The payoff? A crisp $27 and the realization: “Wait—I can actually make money doing this?”

💡 Takeaway: Fall in love with the craft first. Passion powers your growth long before profit does.

Systems, Scaling & Self-Leadership

By 2005, Anthony had launched High Voltage Entertainment, not just as a brand—but as a replicable system. Using numbered CDs with identical tracklists, he ensured every team member could step into an event with total confidence.

But his biggest shift came when a mentor told him: “Put down the mic.” That moment changed everything.

“I realized I wasn’t supposed to be an employee of my business. I was supposed to run my business.”

This mindset led Anthony to build a scalable company where he was the last to be staffed—not the first.

Tools That Built the Business

What fueled his growth? A blend of education, street-smarts, and emotional drive.

Anthony has a marketing degree, theater background, and master’s in both business education and special education. He worked as a mortgage broker in his early 20s, learning how to close deals—and, more importantly, how to listen.

This experience taught him how to:

Read the room (and the client)
Ask meaningful questions (“What’s your vision?”)
Build trust with empathy over ego

💡 Takeaway: Your past jobs, even the non-DJ ones, are training for your future success. Everything is transferable if you’re paying attention.

Building a Legacy, Not Just a Business

Anthony isn’t chasing status—he’s building something deeper: a legacy of connection.

He now performs weddings for former Sweet 16 clients. His goal? To be part of families’ lives across generations. High Voltage isn’t just a service; it’s a relationship.

That only works if your team buys into the vision. And Anthony’s approach to team building is simple but powerful:

Hire for mindset, not just talent
Create space to fail safely
Debrief mistakes and build systems to avoid them again

As he puts it: “A mistake made more than once is a decision.”

If He Had to Start Over…

Anthony says he’d:

Build relationships first. Reach out to local vendors, DJs, and planners—not as competition, but as collaborators.
Seek mentorship. Join Facebook groups, attend expos, listen to podcasts. Be a sponge.
Stay humble. No matter your experience, there’s always something new to learn from someone else.

💡 Takeaway: Your network is your net worth. Start with people, then build the business.

Action Steps for DJs & Multi-Ops

Here are five things you can apply from Anthony’s journey today:

Audit your systems. Can anyone on your team step into your shoes tomorrow?
Revisit your “why.” Are you still chasing validation or building a business?
Invest in education. Take a class, attend a conference, or learn from someone outside the DJ world.
Make it okay to fail. Build a culture where mistakes become systems.
Connect, connect, connect. Schedule one coffee or Zoom call this week with a fellow vendor or business owner.

Final Thoughts: Your Legacy Starts Now

Anthony’s story reminds us that scaling isn’t just about gear, bookings, or revenue—it’s about impact. The kind that lasts from Sweet 16s to weddings to baby showers.

So wherever you are in your business journey—solo operator or scaling multi-op—remember:

“It’s not about being the star. It’s about building the stage for others to shine.”