It
is always fun to look back and see where you came from, and it
is certainly more than interesting to find out where those whom
you admire the most started out! With this in mind, we profiled
20 of Las Vegas nightlife’s leading industry members, starting
with their rise from their very first job in Las Vegas to their
now distinctly different career responsibilities of today. These
interviews are meant to serve both as well-earned recognition
of accomplishments and as profound inspiration to the thousands
of people who strive to further their careers in Vegas nightlife;
having actual living-proof examples that anyone can make it if
they are willing to put in the long hours and hard work to make
a difference in the larger picture.
Where
were you then?
When I arrived in Vegas on June 18, 2001, it was to begin Harrah's
Management Apprentice Training Program (MATP) at the Rio. As part
of the nine-month, rotational apprenticeship, I worked at every
food and/or beverage outlet on property from the Carnival World
Buffet and Club Rio to Voodoo and Napa. I scrubbed coffee urns
for the banquets department and hostessed at Fiore. Napa's Chef
Jean-Louis Palladin was terminally ill and so I was pulled out
of the program for one full month to work solely on his first
benefit dinner. The restaurant unfortunately closed. A victim
of the post-9/11 hiring freeze, I was sentenced to spent the first
seven months of 2002 as an assistant manager at the Carnival World
Buffet before escaping to Club Rio, where I remained for over
a year and inadvertantly started my nightlife career.
And where are you now?
I am the Las Vegas Weekly's Nightlife Editor, owner/publisher
of TheCircuitLV.com, a consultant, and a freelance writer with
an overly-ambitious to-do list. I've written for the LA Times,
OK!, Us Weekly, Remix and on AOL's VegasPopular.com as well as
for Greenspun Media Group's Las Vegas Life and on Vegas.com. I
am currently the Vegas editor for UrbanDaddy.com and recently
penned the nightlife section of the The Unofficial Guide to Las
Vegas 2009, my first book appearance. I've guest-judged cocktail
competitions including the Food Network's "Throwdown With
Bobby Flay" and the United States Bartenders Guild's regional
and national finals, painted the town red with MTV Australia's
show "Full Tank" and appeared on LasVegasWeekly.com
to present "Xania's Clubinar", a tongue-in-cheek look
at the Vegas nightlife landscape.
But mostly, I just drink and write.
While you were working at the Rio, where did you see yourself
down the road?
I was at a near-panic attack the day I was told I'd have to sign
a two-year contract at the Rio. I never saw myself staying that
long. Once I got my feet on Vegas soil, I thought I would end
up in fine dining management and intended to continue my college
concentration on beverage by getting at least my level one Sommelier's
diploma. Still might... Beverage is still my passion--that has
not changed.
Did you have any expectations that you would be doing
what you are doing now?
Never in a million years. And yet sometimes, because it feels
so right, I think I must have always known. I've been writing
since, well...since I learned how to write!
If you could go back in time, what might you have done
differently?
At Club Rio, I worked myself into the ground, and into the cardiac
ward of UMC with pneumonia. While I still work just as many hours
today (more even), I work smarter and more efficiently, get more
sleep and excercise and get out of town whenever I can be spared.
I definitely wish I'd taken as good care of myself then as I do
now.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your
success in the future?
Write everything down. If something inspires you in the moment,
write it while you still feel that passion, before it fades. Write
often and don't worry about what you'll do with it because you
can always rework it later. Buy a website or start a blog and
write for no one and everyone, even just for yourself. And when
you find a good fit and a good voice, hang on to that sucker for
dear life!
Exactly how many contacts do you have in your cell phone
/ PDA at this moment? About how many did you have then?
Right now I have 690 but then –relic that I am – I
still also use an old school datebook and multiple address books!
Then, probably around a hundred or so.
Where
were you then?
I
was a promoter. My first company was called Top Secret Productions.
I threw my first big event at the Sands Hotel and Casino in a
ballroom. I did everything from make the flyer, promote, bookings,
arrange an art show, and play host.
And
where are you now?
Vice President of the N9NE Group. I protect, develop, and enhance
the brands we own and operate.
While
you were throwing events back in the day, where did you see yourself
down the road?
Owning a casino,
hotel, restaurant, lounge, club, indy film theater, and hair salon.
All on the same property. A small boutique hipster spot that is
always sold out and the best scene in town. Not there yet, but
I am getting there!
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
This is all
I’ve ever thought about doing. 9 months out of high school,
I had started my promotional company and I have been doing this
ever since . . . I actually thought I would be owning a lot more
by now to be honest. But I am in no rush. I am taking my time
and doing everything right . . .
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I am quite
happy where I am and where I am going. I would not want to go
back and change a thing. Who knows what else may change by changing
something that has already happened. Haven’t you ever seen
those sci-fi movies when someone tries to change their past or
future? It never ends good, so lets just let sleeping dogs lie
. . .
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Party as
hard as you work. There’s no point in any of this, if you
don’t get to stop and enjoy what you are doing once in a
while.
Exactly
how many contacts do you have in your cell phone / PDA at this
moment?
1,000,000
. . .. mmmmuuuuuahahahahaahahaahah (global domination means you
have to know a lot of people!)
Where
were you then?
My first job
was at Nirvana pool party at Green Valley Ranch’s Pond in
Summer 2005. I was a promoter/host and also ran the front door.
And
where are you now?
I’m
the Director of Promotions for TAO Nightclub, TAO Beach and LAVO
Nightclub. I run and manage all of the promotions for the venues
and also manage the promotion team at all venues. I have been
with TAO since the opening over 3 years ago as a promoter. I have
been the Director of Promotions since March 2007.
While
you were working at Nirvana, where did you see yourself down the
road?
In the position I am in now. When I first started, I was very
fortunate to work with people who I could learn from in this industry.
I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now if it wasn’t
for these individuals.
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
Absolutely.
Everything I have done since starting in this industry has pointed
to the position I am in now. All of the outreach, networking,
and forming relations were for this purpose.
If
you could go back in time, what would you have done differently?
Managed my
time better between work and play.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Have your end destination in clear focus. Break down the steps
for achievement and take them on with integrity, honesty, and
hard work. The Las Vegas nightlife industry won’t overlook
that.
Where
were you then?
In 2001 I
was waiting tables at a tiny locals place off of Sahara and Durango.
And
where are you now?
I work in
entertainment marketing for the TAO Group. My responsibilities
are a mixture of celebrity relations, public relations, marketing
and advertising for TAO, TAO Beach, and LAVO.
While
you were waiting tables, where did you see yourself down the road?
I knew I wanted
to be on the strip doing something with celebrities and events.
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
I knew once
I found the right group of people to be around that I would eventually
get where I wanted to go.
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I would have
paid less attention to negative people.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
I started
at the bottom and worked up from there, if you stick around long
enough your consistency will carry you through.
Where
were you then?
My first job
here was a cocktail waitress position at Palms, from September
2002 –December 2002. I was barely 21, so I didn’t
have too much experience when I started. In December of 2002,
I got a job to open Tabu as a VIP attendant [cocktail waitress],
where I got the best training I could wish for!
And where are you now?
Currently,
I am the Operations Manager of ND’S Space, a new nightclub
opening at Palazzo early 2009. I started working with ND’s
in March of 2008, and I am responsible for oversight and supervision
of all aspects of Night club operations including but not limited
to: food, beverage and service quality, cost and expense management,
personnel hiring, training and development, strategic planning,
marketing strategies, maintenance and the enforcement of company
systems and controls.
Considering
that my club is still in construction phase, I am involved in
setting up everything from ground zero, including interior design
and functionality, inventory purchasing, staff auditions and training,
vendor and sponsorship agreements etc.
While you were working at The Palms, where did you see yourself
down the road?
I have set
my goals up pretty high! I always wanted to have an ownership
in a club or nightlife venue. It takes a lot of work and determination,
but I will get there someday.
Did you have any expectations that you would be doing
what you are doing now?
Yes, in a
way. When I was a cocktail waitress for Tabu, I loved my job -
the money was great and the job was easy - but I didn’t
want to stop here. I felt that I could do a lot more in this industry,
and wanted to use my skills, education, and dedication to prove
it. I took a management position at Studio 54 that came with a
lot more work, responsibility, and even a huge pay cut; but I
couldn’t have been a happier person – nothing worth
having ever comes easy!
If you could go back in time, what might you have done
differently?
Not a single
thing! I have loved every day of it. Of course, everyone faces
challenges and makes mistakes; success lies in dealing with problems
promptly and thoroughly and learning from your mistakes.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your
success in the future?
First and
foremost – this industry is very demanding and to succeed,
you have to be a WORKAHOLIC. Do not expect success to come to
you, it takes a LOT of hard work to get it. Forget the true meaning
of such words as “vacation, weekend, and holiday”
as you won’t be having any of those, and these are the times
when you will have to work the most while other people rest and
relax.
A good education
certainly comes in handy, although I believe that logic, common
sense, and street smarts are equally as important, if not more.
It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education
than to have education without common sense. People generally
do not lack strength, they lack will, and you should have plenty
of both.
Where
were you then?
My first
Las Vegas job was a front desk clerk at Bally’s. I started
right after high school (Summer of ’02) and transferred
to the Paris Hotel about a year later. I learned the basics of
hotels and casinos there. I checked in, checked out, settled hotel
bills, worked with the casino hosts on comps for guests, learned
the night audit, and most importantly learned how to interact
with guests that were upset and looking for resolution. It was
a great school for learning how to read people and turn potentially
negative situations into positives.
And
where are you now?
I’m
the Assistant to the President (George Maloof) at the Palms. It’s
hard to describe my day-to-day as it is always different. I get
to work with every department in all facets of the hotel and casino.
I like to think of what I do as business development because everything
I’m involved in does just that, constantly develops our
business. Whether that be making sure our celebrity clientele
are happy, our guests renting the big suites have everything they
want, doing property tours for MTV so we can make sure the VMAs
go to plan, or the seats in the Mint are the right height, or
the temperature in the casino is just right…I get my hands
on as much as I can. I am learning from the best, most hands on
owner.
While
you were working at Bally’s, where did you see yourself
down the road?
It really
didn’t take too long for me to fall in love with hotels.
Ever since I came to Vegas as a little guy visiting my grandparents,
the Strip always fascinated me. I always saw myself as someone
walking around a property ensuring everyone was happy. I love
the scene in “Casino” where DeNiro is narrating the
checks and balances of the casino floor, “the dealers watch
the players, the pit boss watches the dealers, the shift manager…”
I always wanted to be DeNiro.
Did you have any expectations that you would be doing
what you are doing now?
I really
do have the “Dream Job.” I have a very A.D.D. approach
to work, I don’t do well with monotony. I never thought
I would enjoy work as much as I do. I always hoped to work my
way up in the hotel industry but I never imagined working as closely
with the executive team and owner at my age.
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
Pursue my
modeling career? Ha! I really can’t say that I would have
done anything differently. I look at the mistakes I’ve made
and I learned from those. Had I not made those mistakes, I wouldn’t
be where I am now. I love where I am now and am happy with the
path I took to get here!
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Get your
hands dirty.
You have to
know what it takes to implement an idea. Anyone can have great
ideas. Putting that idea in motion is more difficult, especially
if you aren’t willing to get your hands dirty. One of the
most important things I’ve learned from George is implement
and follow up. I still have to learn how to be more effective
at that. And remember where you come from. I have seen too many
people that forget that. If nothing else, I want to be remembered
as someone who treated EVERYONE with respect. I’ve seen
a lot of people get into a great gig and forget how they got there.
Where
were you then?
In 1987, at
the age of 19, I was playing Football at UNLV and used my best
friend’s ID to get a job at Stakeout bouncing, and I even
created a line to go upstairs to the "VIP." My first
casino job came later in 1991 as a Pool Attendant at the Mirage.
And
where are you now?
I am Vice
President of Rick's Cabaret, a publicly traded Adult Nightclub.
While
you were bouncing at Stakeout, where did you see
yourself down the road?
I remember
going to the big Penthouse Suite inside of Caesar’s Palace
looking at Flamingo and saying “I am going to run this town
someday.”
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
Absolutely
not!
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
Stayed out
of Marketing and stayed in operations at Bellagio.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Yes, don’t
let people direct your career take control of your own
path and hold the line.
Exactly
how many contacts do you have in your cell phone / PDA at this
moment? About how many do you think you had back then?
Right now
I am at about 18,000. Around then? We didn’t have cell phones,
only pagers.
Where
were you then?
Actually,
I didn't start my life in Las Vegas working on the Strip at one
of the nightlife venues. I headed for colder climates and a higher
elevation, taking a position as a snowboard instructor at Mount
Charleston during the fall of 1997.
Basically,
I taught visitors and locals the sport of snowboarding. And it
was actually a great time for winter sports when I started my
job due to the fact El Nino had wreaked havoc with the weather
and brought so much snow to the area. It was probably the best
snow Mount Charleston has had to date. I stayed at the ski resort
until the spring of the following year before journeying toward
the warmer climates in Vegas.
And
where are you now?
I'm the managing
partner at Tryst nightclub inside Wynn Las Vegas and Drai's After
Hours at Bill's Gamblin' Hall. I will also hold the same position
at our newest venue, XS nightclub and Botero Steak at the new
Steve Wynn-owned property Encore, when it opens in late December.
My role as
managing partner involves multiple responsibilities. I manage
our talented VIP Services staff and oversee all facets of our
nightclub operations. And at the same time, I ensure everyone
from our local nightclub visitors to A-list celebrity clientele
has an incredible experience with us when they visit our venues.
While
you were working at Mt. Charleston, where did you see yourself
down the road?
I had known
what I wanted since I lived in Hawaii. I wrote down everything
I wanted from cars to the home I lived in, wasn’t sure about
the job as long as I was successful.
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
That's a
tough one.. Spent much more time with my family, not worried as
much what other people would think about me.
Do
you have any advice for those looking to mimic your success?
Stay honest,
have integrity, ethics and be humble regardless of how you are
portrayed. People with those stand out in this city. Be nice to
be everyone, you never know what they may end up being. They might
be your bar back one year and your boss the next.
About
how many contacts do you have now, and an estimate of how many
you had then?
Too many,
but in 11 years it’s been a revolving door. You find that
nightclub life has a shelf life with customers, when you have
something people want everyone wants to know you. Back then not
too many, just close friends and family.
Where
were you then?
I started
out working security for House of Blues eventually moving through
the ranks of management during my four year employment with them.
And
where are you now?
Director of
Nightclub Operations/Managing Partner – I over look the
day to day operations of Tryst/XS/Drais
While
you were working at House of Blues, where did you see yourself
down the road?
Hoping to
make to the general manager position of the nightclub at that
time, but really seeing myself moving to a small town living a
more simple life fishing in a pond driving my beat up pickup trunk.
Did you have any expectations that you would be doing
what you are doing now?
Not to begin
with, but as I grew and matured in the nightclub business my goals
and vision of my future grew as well.
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I would have
tried harder to spend more time with my family.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Don’t
do it for the money, do it for the success – regardless
of the job that you have, be the best and it wont go unnoticed
Exactly how many contacts do you have in your cell phone
/ PDA at this moment? How many do you think you had back then?
Less then
a 100 then, and now 1000+
Where
were you then?
My first
job in Vegas was bussing tables at Tabu in Feb of 2003, right
when it opened. I worked there until summer of 2005, and learned
a lot about Vegas nightlife as a result. My job responsibilities
were to assist the waitresses with the bottle and table service,
and to socialized and party with the guests. Oh yeah, I also flirted
and grinded with drunk girls there!
Where are you now?
I am the
Mood Director at TAO Nightclub, and it is actually very hard to
'explain' what I do. I take something that is already really fun,
and I make it even ‘funner,’ if that makes sense.
I am a promoter, a waiter, a host, a babysitter and an entertainer.
I'm kind of the 'party mascot' of TAO. The jester, the clown,
the in-house talent!
When you were working at Tabu, where did you see yourself
down the road?
When I first
moved here, I was so excited to just have a job in a nightclub,
I really didn’t think about what my future would be like.
I really still don't think like that. People ask me questions
like that all the time. I don’t even know what I'm doing
next week!
Did you have any expectation that you would be doing what
you are doing now?
I guess I
could have always seen myself doing something like this. I make
a living being myself. Mood Directing isn't just my job. It's
not even a career, it's more than that, it's who I am. Luckily
the people at TAO [Jason Strauss], found a way to tap into my
personality, and make it work for their nightclub.
If you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I don’t
think I would have done anything differently if I could go back
and change anything. No regrets. Except for the triplets from
New Zealand. I couldn't walk straight for 2 weeks. I guess I regret
that night.
Do you have any advice for those looking to mimic your
success?
Be yourself.
Be funny. Be nice. You can get away with A LOT if you're nice
and funny. And drink. A lot. Party!
How
many contacts do you have at this very moment?
910 numbers in my blackberry right now. 887 girls. 23 dudes.
[Editor's
Note: I need to see proof of this!]
Where
were you then?
I was a barback
at rumjungle from November 1999 to March 2001.
And
Where are you now?
I am Director
of VIP Services at Tao nightclub. My responsibilities are to manage
and monitor weekly schedules of the VIP host department, establish
local outreach and hotel locations for the individual hosts, mentor
the new or up-and-coming members of the team, and determine who
sits where in each of our 130 tables.
Back
when you were working at Rum Jungle, where did you see yourself
down the road?
When I began
in the industry, owning a successful promotion company was the
main goal and most natural progression towards ownership. Not
until Light opened was VIP Hosting seen as a position of high
profile. It was much less-structured and corporate so you had
to make a name for yourself without any guidelines on how to do
it.
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
I had expectations,
but there were certainly many hurdles along the way. Hard work
and persistency are the greatest virtues. If you don’t have
thick skin and a good work ethic, the nightclub business isn’t
for you. The ability to swim against the current isn’t strength,
it’s a requirement.
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
There is nothing
that I would change, but a common mistake that people make is
trying to do too much or make too much too fast. Never turn your
back on the people who helped you get to where you are and as
long as you are honest and upfront with your employers you won’t
burn the bridges you need to cross in order to stand on that other
side of the street you want to be.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Take it slow
and be patient. Your success comes from the people you take care
of, the better you treat someone the more referrals you will get.
The most common mistake hosts starting out make is milking the
customer dry when they can. Think long term.
Exactly
how many contacts do you have in your cell phone / PDA at this
moment?
Now I have
exactly 7,013 in my Blackberry, and an additional 30,000+ in email
database. Then probably 300 or 400, including beeper numbers!
Where
were you then?
I was a busser
at Hard Rock Cafe in January 1993 and worked my way up to being
a server. This was before moving over to open the Hard
Rock Hotel as a manager at Mr Lucky's in 1995 along with Keith
Leavitt of Pure and Jason Cooper of LAX.
And
where are you now?
Currently, I am the VIP Services Manager for Angel Management
Group of Las Vegas. My responsibilities vary, but involve being
at any of the venues that we work with in the United States.
While
you were bussing at the Hard Rock Café, where did you see
yourself down the road?
At the time
I was playing baseball for UNLV and was hoping that my athletic
career would take off. But after being injured while playing in
the minor leagues, I returned to finish school and was the lead
server and (the first) VIP host at rum jungle before ultimately
joining the Pure Management Group at Bikinis, and then eventually
helping to open ICE Nightclub
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
I'm not surprised
that I'm still in the industry looking to excel. As the money
got better, my expectations got greater!
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I would choose
my battles in keeping better hours, definitely backup my phone
weekly, and get an assistant to help keep my database current.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Be sincere,
have a reliable and hard working reputation, befriend your clients,
always follow up, and seek advice from those that have already
mastered the position you want.
Exactly
how many contacts do you have in your cell phone / PDA at this
moment? About how many do you think you had back then?
Over 1,000
in my phone and 25,000 emails. I only had a pager until 1995,
so who knows!
Where
were you then?
When I first
moved to Las Vegas in the fall of 1999, I couldn’t get a
job anywhere so I actually started working for a food delivery
company called "Waiters on Wheels." I would pick up
food from local restaurants and deliver them to people’s
homes, it was awful!
And
where are you now….
I have never
really much been into "titles" or anything like that,
but my business card says VIP Services Manager @ Christian Audigier
Nightclub. I really just see myself as one small part in a great
team @ PURE Management Group. We really have the hardest working
host team in Vegas. We work hard together each day to give our
guests an amazing experience at all our venues.
While you were delivering meals, where did you see yourself
down the road?
I saw myself
not delivering food anymore!
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
I was a bartender
and promoter in college in Virginia Beach, VA, so I knew I would
be back in the bar and nightclub business. I certainly never knew
it would go this far.
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
Actually,
nothing. I have lived the life of 10 people and have met so many
guests that have become some of my closest friends. Each and every
experience has been great.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Stay away
from the Nightclub business! Just kidding. Don't expect overnight
success. The harder you work the luckier you get.
Where
were you then?
My first job
fresh off the plane from New Jersey was as a busser at the Hard
Rock Café on the corner of Harmon and Koval. Talk about
getting into a young and crazy group of people who showed me how
to party at work and about the town!
And where are you now?
I am the Promotions Manager for Angel Management Group of Las
Vegas, which also includes managing promotions department promoters
and our Jr. hosts, and monitoring our online reservation system
Venuedriver.com. I started with AMG in March of ’08 after
leaving my 5 year tenure as Director of Promotions for Pure Management
Group. I’m still with AMG and temporarily assigned to help
create and structure a new promotions department for AMG’s
HOME Nightclub venue in St. Louis. In what is a completely different
market, but making it happen!
While
you were working at the Hard Rock Cafe, where did you see yourself
down the road?
I was attending
U.N.L.V. and continuing my Assoc. Degree in Broadcasting, so,
to be honest, it was my first move away from home and I had no
idea what to expect.
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
Only after
completely going out constantly and meeting so many people that
worked in the nightlife industry who eventually became friends,
roommates, and business associates who began to offer me jobs.
If you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I would without a doubt have saved more money and also kept better
track of clients and friends contact information.
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
It comes down
to work ethic. Be sincere and treat both peers and clients well
and always follow up. Work hard, stay loyal, stay focused, and
great opportunities will come your way.
Where
you were then?
When I was
14 years old, I worked as a busser at my father’s Blueberry
Hill Family Restaurant. My job consisted of the typical cleaning
of tables, stocking materials and supplies needed for service,
attending to customer needs, assisting the waitresses and all
around being a helping hand whenever it was needed.
And
where are now?
I am now President
and CEO of Whispering Giants, a non-traditional marketing company
that was launched in March of 2008. We offer a variety of scopes
of service specific to our client’s needs and currently
represent 15 clients from various industries such as non-profit,
healthcare, automotive, entertainment, hospitality, fashion and
dot com. I am responsible for day-to-day operations, business
development, developing tailored marketing strategies for our
clients, and am responsible for the execution of marketing strategies
as well as client service while guiding the company’s overall
growth and direction.
Back
when you were working at Blueberry Hill, where did you see yourself
down the road?
As a 14 year
old, I didn’t think too much about down the road. It was
when I hit my early 20’s, while I was putting myself through
college and working as a captain waiter at several top notch restaurants
on the strip, that I finally began to start looking down the road.
I ventured into nightlife and began developing, marketing, and
producing events. Though I knew that I had a great knack for it,
and felt that I was accomplished and well-respected in the industry,
I knew it wasn’t really what I would want to do as I matured.
The creativity
and the marketing aspect of these events and programs became all
consuming to me. When I finally understood the essence of what
made me happy and what I enjoyed doing, the path down the road
became much clearer. I later left the nightlife marketing business
and returned to college to pursue a formal degree in marketing
and advertising.
Did you have any expectations that you would be doing
what you are doing now?
Yes. I am the kind of person who goes directly after what he wants.
It is rare that I do not, and I never give up! Relentlessness
and persistence are tattooed invisibly on my chest!
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I would have
found a better balance in my life at an earlier age. I am thankful
that I have it now. Life is made up of work, family, social times
and quite personal times. When all these things are able to share
balanced time in your life, it is great and this is something
that you have to consciously work towards. If you don’t,
one thing or the other can certainly dominate the plate. It took
a while but I have a better grasp on this concept than ever before!
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
Try and look
at life with an optimistic attitude, and digest all of life’s
ups and downs with ease. Try to embrace everything, both good
and bad. Master the art of “the approach.” Go after
what you want. Never give up! Any and everything is possible.
If and/or when anyone tells you that you can’t do something
work harder and prove them wrong! In the end, very few things
are better than that .
Where
were you then?
Five years
ago in November, I was a promoter for Mist and spent a lot of
time passing out those 2-for-1 drink coupons that help get people
into the club.
Where
are you now?
I am the Marketing
Director of The Bank Nightclub at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
I book and coordinate all of the events, work with celebrities,
help oversee the promotions and VIP Hosts, and work to keep everything
going and successful at the club.
Back
when you were working at Mist, where did you see yourself down
the road?
I saw myself
doing what I am doing now. After I worked for Mist, I worked with
Sean Christie and oversaw marketing for Caramel. At that point,
I knew that I wanted Sean’s job.
If
you could go back in time, is there anything that you would have
done differently?
Not really,
I’m happy with where I’m at.
Do
you have any advice for those looking to mimic your success?
I would say
that loyalty is probably the best advice. Just tough it out through
the hard times and it is almost always rewarded
Where
were you then?
I started
coming out to Vegas from New York City in 2001 during Memorial
Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, and New Years producing events
at various nightclubs such as Ra, The Drink, Hard Rock Pool, and
Baby’s. In New York, I was an owner of a nightclub consultation
company called CliQue Entertainment that specialized in lifestyle
marketing and nightclub consultation. I moved to Las Vegas in
2003 and established CliQue Las Vegas. Within a few months, CliQue
received a management contract with Risqué Nightclub in
the Paris Hotel handling all of the marketing and promotions for
the venue.
And
where are you now?
I’m
currently a managing partner with Angel Management Group. I act
as the VP of Marketing for the company and am in charge of new
business development.
Back
in New York, where did you see yourself down the road?
Vegas was
more about a working vacation for me, but I really never thought
to move here. Then when I started growing tired of NYC, it became
the obvious choice. After moving here, I definitely saw the potential
of such a young city and wanted to establish my company as a promotional
force in town.
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
When I decided
to move to Vegas in 2003, I had no clue what to expect. I knew
I loved working in nightlife and wanted to bring what I had learned
from NYC to Vegas. I had no idea that Vegas would blow up the
way it did and that I would be a part of that.
If
you could go back in time, what might you have done differently?
I have really
learned a lot as a marketer in the past 5 years. It was a good
experience making the amount of mistakes that I made. I was offered
a partnership with the hotel when I first started the Risqué
deal, but I felt that I was too young to be an owner and shied
away from the deal. If I knew then what I know now, I would probably
have taken the deal…
Do
you have any advice for anyone looking to mimic your success in
the future?
It’s
important to surround yourself and learn from people that have
more experience and knowledge than you do. It is really the only
way to further your career. Also, to always work harder than everyone
else and learn how to live without sleep.
Where
were you then?
I was a busser
at Border Grill while I flyered parking lots for Keith Evens,
Carlos Sanchez, and Brian Minogue. We did a party called “Sound
Bar” at House of Blues. It was cool at the time because
I loved promotions and was good at it, and felt that it was a
great way to get my foot in the door.
And
where are you now?
I am the Marketing
Director for JET Nightclub, which means I work hand-in-hand with
the promotions department, am in charge of all marketing and creative
(billboards, flyers, ads, etc), booking talent, coming up with
original event ideas, and producing and executing the events themselves.
Back
when you were bussing tables at Border Grill, where did you see
yourself down the road?
I wanted to
be a club promoter.
Did
you have any expectations that you would be doing what you are
doing now?
I knew I wanted
to throw events and throw parties. Did I think I’d be a
marketing director for a nightclub? I don’t think so. Back
then there were no marketing directors, it was all about the promoter.
I was an entertainment director at UNLV, that’s where I
learned about the production, stage setup, timeline, loading in,
etc.
If
you could go back in time, would you have done anything differently?
I would have
done it the same way. I feel like to be good at what I do, you
need to start at the bottom and really understand how to drive
business to the nightclub. You have to understand how to hit the
parking lots, do the text blasts, and do all the things that good
nightclub marketers and promoters do.
Do
you have any advice for those looking to mimic your success?
Just work
hard. There comes a point where you are partying enough and its
fun to do, but at some point it becomes your business and is something
that you can earn a living doing.
