Company works to be the life of the party Universal DJ Productions going strong after two years BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG Staff Writer Adam Saber (left) and Keith Brothers are co-owners of the Aberdeen-based entertainment company Universal DJ Productions. ABERDEEN — Universal DJ Productions wants to be the life of your next big party. The Aberdeen-based company serves the tristate area and supplies everything necessary to entertain a large crowd, including dancers, DJ’s, emcees, lighting, music, photographers and more. “We’re a one party-planning stop,” said Adam Saber, 23, of Aberdeen, co-owner of the company. Saber and his partner, Keith Brothers, 23, of Rahway, started the company in early 2003 after working together for several years for other entertainment companies. Once the young entrepreneurs decided to go into business for themselves, they did a lot of research and attended a lot of seminars to learn all about the different aspects of running an entertainment company, Saber said. The first step they took was to hire twin female dancers and a male dancer. Saber participates in all aspects of the company including dancing, and Brothers acts as the emcee. The group of five performed at expos and public forums to gain attention, Saber said. They also went to the bank to get the funds necessary to purchase the best equipment they could afford, including plasmas, intelligent lights and stages, Saber said. Their efforts paid off, as it wasn’t long before people began contacting them, Saber said. In May 2003, the small company got their first big gig, a Bar Mitzvah for 250 people in Danbury, Conn. Saber said that their first real job was an unbelievable experience that left all of them in complete confidence that their endeavor would be successful. “We knew this company would take off,” Saber said. Following the event, the customers thanked them for a job well done, and told them the party was “out of this world.” It was that comment that gave birth to the company’s slogan, “taking your party to a world of its own,” Saber said. Word about the company began to spread, and soon they were getting booked left and right, Saber said. The company takes pride in being a word-of-mouth operation, he said. It shows that people are satisfied and liked the work the company did so much that they are willing to recommend us to others, he said. By August 2003, they had proven themselves as major players in the industry, leading to them getting insured through the National Association of Mobile Entertainers (NAME). NAME is a company that provides insurance for high-end DJ’s and entertainment companies. All the companies they represent have to use top-of-the-line, modern equipment, Saber said. “We had to establish ourselves,” Saber said. “They [NAME] don’t want to put their name on a bad company.” There were many things that the company was doing to make them a success. For example, they proudly work on a very personal basis. “We make sure to contact the customers periodically in the time leading up to their event. We also make home visits so the customers can see exactly what they are paying for,” he said. Saber said it’s important to get to know customers so the company can personalize the event and make sure no mistakes are made, like announcing the wrong names at a wedding, he said. The company customizes everything from the music to how the entertainers should be dressed, he said. They also plan their performances to a customer’s budget, giving people everything possible for the amount of money they can afford, he said. “We customize to your budget and to what will make you happy at the end of the night,” Saber said. In August 2004, the company was getting booked often enough for the business to expand. They hired more dancers, emcees and DJ’s, as well as a professional photographer and videographer. There are now a total of 12 employees. Saber said that when they began looking for new employees, they held intense auditions, looking for the best of the best to join their crew. “We only wanted to hire people that were worth the money the customers were paying,” he said. Saber said that it is important that the entertainers, especially the dancers, don’t blend in with the guests — they should stand out. “They should be one step better than the best dancer on the floor. As professionals they should be able to do things that the guests can’t,” he said. The emcee is also an important role. “They make your memory,” he said. Saber said that entertainers need to be versatile because they get booked for various kinds of events. He said that they need to be able to work a Sweet 16 party one night, and a 50th wedding anniversary the next. “Most big parties are once in a lifetime events. We go out of our way to ensure that the customer is completely satisfied,” he said. For more information, call (888) 577-6559 or e-mail universaldjprod@msn.com. Look for the Universal DJ Productions Web site to launch in the very near future, at www.universaldjproductions.com.