Buzz Interviews Rachel Willes of DJ Rachel Z
I was attending Arizona State University when I got involved in DJ-ing for dances and clubs. I graduated with a Recreation Management degree and began working for Mesa Parks and Recreation where I created and organized numerous special events and programs. After ten years with them, I put my career on hold to have kids. I would organize events here and there and DJ weddings and school dances occasionally but nothing that would interfere with being a stay-at-home mom and raising my kids. When my oldest turned sixteen and my youngest was in 3rd grade, I realized we needed some extra money to pay for car insurance and school trips and all the extra expenses four active kids bring. By chance, I met a DJ at my husband’s work party who said he was hiring DJs to expand his business. I started doing two events a month and within three years was averaging four gigs a month with numerous personal requests for my DJ service. I broke off with the DJ factory and started DJ Rachel Z Willes LLC. I have been a business owner now for three years and I love it! I have more work than I can accept. I am the preferred DJ at three venues and two school districts. I get most of my gigs by word-of-mouth and have bookings now for late 2021. It’ll be 27 years since I first dropped a beat and it’s still way too much fun to get paid for it!