Why
he made the list: There are people in life who wake up
early in the day dead set on challenging themselves to accomplish
something truly great in the course of their next 24 hours. And
when it comes to working within Las Vegas nightlife (often until
the sun is peaking over the mountains each morning), it is rare
to find someone who also manages to enjoy great successes during
the "normal" part of the day. Enter John Lewis. As a
well known UFC fighter, celebrity event promoter, and nightlife
impresario - John has painted his name all across the United States
and has made it damned clear that he is only getting started.
For the past
month, John has been out of state, out of the country, and undoubtedly
pursuing a higher state of concious while vacationing in some
of the most remote beaches on our planet. Fortunately, when it
comes to the list of the 31 Most Influential People in Vegas Nightlife
- no island is too remote to get ahold of someone for an interview.
Without further adeu, I present John Lewis:
JC:
How long have you lived in Las Vegas? If not from here originally,
where did you move from and what brought you here?
JL:
I have lived in Vegas for 12 years now. I moved here to open my
martial arts academy as a professional fighter. At the time there
were no other Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools in Las Vegas so I knew
that I had a good shot at a successful business. I am happy to
say that we are still open and stronger than ever today!
JC:
How did you get your start in the nightlife industry?
JL:
I started my own fighting league called the World Fighting Alliance
(WFA). My concept and slogan was “Where
The Fight Club Meets The Night Club.” I came up with
this idea because I felt the shows out there, besides the fights,
were very boring and lacked any real entertainment value. I wanted
people to get dressed up and good looking to go to my events.
I wanted to be able to get beautiful women there and into the
sport of MMA. At the time the nightclub industry wasn’t
my specialty. The biggest name in the nightclub business at that
time was John Huntington. He was, and still is,
50% owner of the original Club Rubber and Pimp “N”
Ho brands. I figured that I had the MMA world on lockdown, and
he had the nightclub industry on lockdown - so we became partners.
It worked like a charm. We became the standard for what a show
should look like. Live DJ’s, go-go dancers between fights,
live performances from famous artists, and most importantly incredible
fights with some of the best names in the business.
One day John
Huntington had a weekly promotion he was about to begin doing
at the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and he asked if I
wanted to help him for a few extra bucks per week. Sounded fun
and challenging so I accepted. I took to it like a fish to water
and have never looked back since. First as a member of the N9NE
Group family for 2 years, then moving on the ever-powerful Pure
Management Group as their key special events booker and promotions.
JC:
What challenges did you face to get to the level of success you
are at now?
JL:
It’s not that I faced opposition from others. People
always take to me. My challenges come from my desire and need
to have many major projects in action at once. I like to have
my hands in as many positive projects as I can handle, and I can
handle a lot. If I am not working on achieving a new goal at every
moment, I feel as if I am wasting time. Time is the only thing
in life we have no control of. Once it’s gone…it’s
gone. So, I always ask myself, am I spending time or wasting time?
To spend time on something, or someone, that makes you happy is
a precious gift, but to waste it is ignorant.
JC:
What do you feel your most important accomplishments
have been thus far?
JL:
Getting to the stage where I am more financially successful
running my own company (John Lewis Entertainment Group) than someone
else’s, and the fact that I have been able to achieve that
in a relatively short amount of time.
JC:
Do you feel that your UFC background has helped your successes
within event promotion? If so, in what ways?
JL:
I know it has. It gave me the kick-start I needed. Being a professional
fighter and MMA champion for all of those years established my
name as an individual to be respected. I am kind and loving to
everyone around me, but people know what I am capable of. When
I began promotions it was like when Oscar De La Hoya
starting his boxing TV show. He was liked, and respected, and
people gave him a chance. If I get a chance, I won’t allow
myself to fail.
JC:
Talk to me about motivation. What keeps you at the top of your
game, and inspires you to constantly innovate?
JL:
I love to create things and constantly challenge myself. I don’t
believe there is anything I can’t do. I am doing very well
now adays, but I still wake up early and hungry every morning.
My dreams and goals are not average; they are very high for myself.
JC:
Where do you see yourself and your business being in
five (5) years?
JL:
It is all about ownership and investment for me. My company is
a machine. I am the only promoter and special event man that does
events all over the United States. Las Vegas, Miami, New York,
Atlantic City, Atlanta, Chicago - and that is just the icing.
I am doing over 12 events each month in various cities and my
reach expands daily. My next level is definitely [venue] ownership.
I have been offered partnership in many new clubs and business
ventures.
JC:
Alright, you’re going to need to think back for
this one. Most memorable thing that you’ve experienced so
far in Las Vegas nightlife?
JL:
You see a lot in this industry. People at there best and
worst. Beautiful women, incredible events, sick money spent, and
even sicker money earned. I wouldn’t know where to begin
with that question. It’s never ending in Las Vegas especially.
JC:
I frequently have people emailing me requesting that I talk more
about fashion, style, and the luxury of Las Vegas nightlife. With
that in mind, how much a part of the image of “Vegas Success”
do you feel that a glitzy ride and a sharp wardrobe play?
JL:
As you know, one of the key elements of my business is
fashion. I do a lot of fashion-based events. I have clients like
Emporio Armani, La Perla, Hugo
Boss, Ed Hardy, and many more. I love
fashion, and whether I am wearing rock & roll attire or an
Armani suit I enjoy dressing up. With all that said, some of the
most powerful people in Las Vegas you could never pick out of
a line up. I guess everyone has there own style, some like to
hide it and some like to flaunt it.
JC:
Tell us your favorite Clothing Brands and Automobiles?
JL:
I'm very diverse when it comes to dressing. Everything from Armani
to Monarchy and Affliction. I love it all.
Your
Take On Things:
JC:
What do you think are the most important elements a nightclub
should have to help ensure it’s customers get their money’s
worth?
JL:
First and foremost great service, a polite security staff, great
DJ’s, a great flow to the club, a unique presentation to
separate it from the rest, and did I mention great service? That
is the order of priority to me when it comes to giving a person
a good nightclub experience.
JC:
What are the top five clubs in Las Vegas according to
you?
JL:
Pure, Tao,
Body English, Jet,
and Tryst in no specific
order.
JC:
All things considered, where do you see Las Vegas nightlife going,
and do you like the direction you see it headed in?
JL:
I think it is obvious that Las Vegas is the US leader in
nightlife. No one can spend the money we do or present the experience
that we can. You watch TV and all you see are Celebs at Las Vegas
venues. The real venues like Pure
and Tao have too much
money and they are not afraid to use it. I think Vegas will continue
to set the bar in nightlife around the world.
JC:
What is your LEAST favorite thing about the Las Vegas nightlife
industry? Why?
JL:
There is no culture here. No diversity. The only difference
between the clubs are the décor. I would like to see more
variety in the venue choices. That is one thing I like about the
Playboy Club. At least they had a fresh concept
that you can not experience anywhere else in Vegas.
JC:
It’s 5AM and you’re hungry, where are your favorite
late nightspots?
JL:
I am all about Rainbow Bar and Grill.
Best soup in the world.
JC:
What advice would you offer tourists wanting to go out?
JL:
Make a local friend or don’t be afraid to spend a little
money to get into the club faster. Don’t waste your evening
in line. Oh yeah…and please dress right.
JC:
What else should be included on JackColton.com
to better prepare tourists for their trip?
JL:
Give them my email. If they come through you I
will take care of them. lewispromo@hotmail.com.
Much Respect,
Jack
Colton
Colton@JackColton.com
