Most DJs complain about not getting booked. Sarat, a drone pilot and DJ, created his own bookings instead. In just one year, he grew his sunrise sets from 30 people to 400+ people by building the scene he wanted to be part of.

Starting with nothing but a unique perspective of Chicago from his drone footage and a love for melodic house music, Sarat created sunrise events that serve a community craving something different from traditional club experiences. His story proves that when you stop waiting for permission and start solving real problems for real people, growth happens organically.

Note: Apologies for the shorter episode format - we lost some footage due to technical issues from the flood, but the story and insights remain powerful.

Key Takeaways:

• Why starting with 10 people is better than waiting for the perfect moment
• How to identify gaps in your local scene and fill them yourself
• Using your unique skills and perspective to create something original
• The power of consistency and respect in building sustainable events
• How word-of-mouth marketing outperforms paid promotion
• Why authentic experiences attract the right community
• Building something that serves people rather than just promotes yourself
• How to evolve your concept while maintaining your core audience
• The importance of contributing something beautiful to your community
• Why morning events create different energy than traditional nightlife

Want to create your own events? Get my complete 9-part DIY Pop-Up Party Guide for $25 - everything from permits to promotion, venue negotiation, content creation and more. Grab it here.

Stop waiting for opportunities. Hit play now to learn how to create the scene you want to be part of.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx