my 3 coda's:
Forever Inspired by Inspiring, live it moment by moment, and follow the formula..............[Positive Intent + Compassion(directed by the positive intent) ] x Time = Growth (which is your desired goal)
BACKGROUND
By the time I left for college, I had already been a working owner in a successful mobile dj company, Rockin Tunes, an independent promoter for local bands and an on-air personality/assistant music director for Nova Southeastern University’s radio station. While attending the University of Florida, I was very fortunate of the friends I made. Each one with such diverse background, I had the opportunity to learn many perspectives and disciplines. After two years of general education classes, I saw my path before me.
It was the beginning of August 1997 when it came to me. I was tired of seeing talented artists and performers with no opportunity, simply because they were not in the right click. Something had to happen. A spotlight needed to shine, bringing about awareness of all this talent. And that’s just what I did. I began planning an event, an event to spotlight up and coming artists, djs, emcees and local charities. I researched, planned and implemented a unique campaign, uniting competitors together, all for a good cause. I found a world renown venue, SIMONS, which was highlighted in all the nightlife and club magazines at that time. I convinced the owner, Simon Semrani to rent out his club for a special purpose, to offer opportunity to not only the talented, but also the town…an opportunity of Awareness. After two months of persistence, he gave me a date, and permission to involve his competition in the event, resulting in 9 sponsors. When all was said and done, on September 18th, 1998 AWARENESS ascended on Gainesville, Florida, showcasing 11 djs, 17 artists, 2 emcees and 1 dance crew to a sold out crowd. Additionally, as promised, AWARENESS donated all proceeds to the Paralyzed Veterans Association of Florida. After this first success, I could not stop. By the time I received my Bachelors of Arts from the University of Florida, I had become a graphic designer, promoter, event coordinator and a consultant. In this first year as an event coordinator, I placed a spotlight on over 50 djs, 40 artists, 9 emcees, 3 vocalists and 3 dance crews with proceeds from all events going to the Paralyzed Veterans Association of Florida. Additionally, I consulted with several bars and clubs in the market to help expand and maintain their client base.
In August 1999 moved to Colorado to try my luck in a new market. Eager to get standing in the Denver market, I continued as a freelancer and started an online magazine called AwarenessMag.net, spotlighting electronic music, spirituality, health and the arts. Using the magazine to build relationships in my new market, I was able to set up a meeting with Greg Thompson, the owner of CLUB SYNERGY, the longest running after hours nightclub west of the Mississippi. Brought in by Greg Thompson to rebuild his clubs client base, I implemented an aggressive guerrilla marketing campaign, took over designing the flyers, booked headline talent, and updated and maintained the website. Additional Greg and I developed a community campaign, where every night upon closing, our staff, including ourselves, would do a five-block cleanup around the club. Though more then tripling the numbers on Friday from 200-250 patrons to over 800 patrons, and doubling the numbers on Saturday from 500 patrons to over 1000 patrons, the city had other plans for the clubs location. The city re-zoned the industrial are the club resided in, turning it into residential. The city forced the club to close down. Plans were made for its demolition, to make room for new Condominiums. Greg Thompson and I have communicated regularly since the closing of the club, even working on some projects together.
In January 2002, I incorporated Awareness Marketing, Inc. (A.M.I.). A.M.I. was a small marketing firm, specializing in unique marketing concepts, which offered graphic design, web site development, street level marketing, marketing materials as well as consulting. In my first week, I acquired 7 clients, 27 clients in less then 2 months. My street level marketing division really took off. Our largest client was Performance International, a festival production company. In the summer of 2002, I was hired to organize and implement a street level marketing campaign for Blues and Bones, BuskerFest and the LODO Music Festival. Our first year working with Performance International, ticket sales to the LODO Music Festival hit a record high with over 51,000 in attendance, more then 10,800 tickets sold then any previous year. Paid in advance with a retainer, Performance International, exclusively used A.M.I. for the street level marketing campaign, until I sold the company and moved back to Florida.
Upon returning to South Florida, I spent the first few months reconnecting with Family. Deciding it was time to start working again, I sought out a job with a restaurant bar to once again expand my knowledge base. I walked into Sofa Kings Sports Bar, resume in hand and spoke with one of the owners. An hour after my first interview, the GM called and scheduled a meeting with himself and the second owner. I was the new Assistant General Manager by the end of the second interview. While at Sofa Kings I took advantage of its restaurant, paying attention to how it functioned. Additionally, I helped increase guest counts 30%, in the first 3 months, through strategic campaigns. I created in-house efforts, making every guest feel like a named member of “Cheers.†I also started an aggressive guerilla marketing campaign, using word of mouth as its main tool.
After learning all I could, I moved on. Taking a few months to get back to my roots, I got back to what I do best. Promotions. I began promoting for a few Ft. Lauderdale Riverfront locations and even picked up a few DJ gigs at The Art Bar.
In February, 2006, I became an Instructor with Responsible Vendors Inc. I teach the Florida Food Handler Certification and the Florida Responsible Vendor Program courses. There are over 800 clients; including Bars, Restaurants, Liquor Stores, Resorts, Nightclubs & Lounges. As an instructor, I help educate employees about the various liquor laws in Florida, how to check IDs and protect themselves from the various liabilities. This gives me the luxury of facilitating a network with in the industry as an expert.
In September of 2007, I made my next move. PRose Promotions LLC is official. This LLC will allow me to once again help offer opportunity for small business to utilize big business marketing at small business prices. Additionally, through PRose Promotions LLC, I am developing a new AWARENESS event to take place in South Florida. The 1st AWARENESS event in 2008 will be on the AQUASINO Yacht on Friday, April 18th, 2008 (this year is the 10 year anniversary of my 1st AWARENESS event). Like in the past, this AWARENESS event will showcase local Artists, DJs & Businesses to the Florida community and individuals in the various arts communities. In fact, this event will be Promoting Community, not Competition. And of course like with my past AWARENESS events, this event will raise money for charity.
www.AWARENESSevents.com
Over the last decade, I can say that I have had one goal in mind. All my experiences have been guided by the intent of this goal. All my education has led me to this point. And so I will Pause…think…and act.
