Official Entertainment, is a New York- based nightlife entertainment company, which consists of booking world-renowned DJ’s, Celebrity Host, and famous recording music artists. This company also promotes local bars, lounges, nightclubs and even some concerts within the Long Island, Queens and New York area.
Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
My name is Omar Bonilla and I am an event coordinator in the nightlife entertainment industry. My business is based out of the Long Island, New York area and my office is a home-based business as most of my work and marketing is done via computer. I’ve been in the nightlife industry since 2005 and now do this full time. My business is mainly that of marketing which caters to those who are social and are interested in the nightlife industry within the ages of 21-40 years old. Now those are the ages that mainly attend my events that I coordinate, but of course as long as the crowd is over the legal drinking age of 21, they are all more than welcomed to attend my events. My business consist of booking world renowned DJ’s, Celebrity host, and famous recording music artist. We also promote local bars, lounges, nightclubs, and even some concerts within the Long Island, Queens, and New York City area. My ultimate goal is to expand my business and services all within the United States and possibly all across the globe once I build my company up to that level.
Q: Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: As mentioned, my name is Omar Bonilla, i am 26 years old male born in New York and come from hispanic background. I started working for sales related jobs at the age of 18 and the skills that i’ve learnt and build over the years is what convinced me that i can be my own boss and start my own business. So i started to educate myself within the nightlife industry since I was always interested in being in the social scene, and right away knew that this is what i wanted to make a career out of. One of my major lifetime business achievements is being promoted to a general manager for one of the biggest direct sales and marketing company in the US. Working for this company is what helped me build my communication, sales and managment skills needed to go on my own and start my own company. I am a experienced entrepreneur in my line of business but everyday I learn something new and I try to gain as much knowledge, which helps me grow as a businessman and as a person.
Q: What ignited the spark in you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: Well, I’ve always been a social person who enjoyed nightlife. I’ve always wanted to own a business of my own. So I started promoting nightclubs and really enjoyed. The fact that we work (make money) while having a great time makes me happy. It started off as a side hustle, but now that I see the potential and I have been hosting nightlife events, I decided to do this line of work full time.
Q: How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good and loyal employees are very important, and they play a major role in the nightlife industry. Without a good team, there’s only so far that you can get in this business. While it might seem like it’s a one man show when it comes to being a nightclub promoter, the truth of the matter is in order to have long term success, it’s important to hire partners & a good staff and have everyone participate in marketing the events. So the answer is, good co- workers will determine your long term success.
Q: What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Ans: Stay in school. School is very important. I wish I had the chance to go to school for some sort of business training, managment & marketing. I kind of just learned on my own & on the go, just by observing what other successful people in my line of business did. So I had to overcome lot of adversity and make adjustments in my marketing strategies to get the skills right. School would have sharpened my skills and have made me that much more valuable in my line of business. So stay in school, Treat others as how you would like to be treated, and set your goals. Only you can determine your own destiny. The power of the mind is the strongest tool you own. Use it wisely, and you will be able to accomplish anything you want to in life. Once your successful, lead by example and help others to become successful.
Q: If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: I would have stayed in school. Its one of my biggest regrets, but its also one of my goals to go back. You are never too old to go back to school and learn. Knowledge is power.
Q: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Knowledge, Determination, & Discipline
Q: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: It all depends, each situation is different. It’s all about how you re-evaluate each situation & what you do to correct it. It’s all part of the learning process.
Q: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: I work for about 5 hours per day, pretty much 6 days per week.
Q: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans: The freedom that it creates. It’s still not at the level in which I would like it to be. But that’s the ultimate goal, and that’s what I strive to do. To work hard now and set my family up for freedom & success.
Q: What motivates you?
Ans: The thought of being successful and having the freedom to spend more time with your family & loved ones motivates me. And to be able to set up the next few generations in my family for success & be remembered for that. Also, to one day help other people reach the same level of success for their family. Helping others become successful is the true definition of success.
Q: How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: It’s always good to brain storm and write your ideas. Once you have a few different options, the next step is to weigh out the pros and cons. Once you do that, then you can determine which idea is the best fit for what your trying to accomplish.
Q: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: My biggest fear on a business level would be, not being able to provide for my family. I’m sure that’s any family man’s greatest fear.
Q: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Long term success starts with a long term plan. And within this long term plans should be a series of short term goals. While its always great to dream of the big picture, try not to get side-tracked & try to accomplish your goals in the order that’s needed to reach your long term success. One step at a time!
Q: Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: Well in my line of business, there’s not much capital to get started. Now, of course you have to spend money in order to make it, but I sort of got away with starting my company with a very low budget.
Q: How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Customer service is the key. Being able to communicate and relate to my customers has helped me a lot in my business. Always collect customers data and information, keep in touch with them and always offer your “VIP” Customers special deals to keep them coming back to you.
Q: How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: Fortunately for my location, my line of business gives me the comfort to work out of my own home.
Q: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: I believe each person has his/her own way to deal with things. It’s always good to focus on your weakness and perfect your strengths. Hard work, sacrifices, determination, discipline, respect, & loyalty plays a huge role in becoming successful.
Q: What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)
Ans: Any Zig Ziglar, OG Mandino, or Anthony Robbins book inspires me. The list goes on and on but those are three of my favorite success coaches
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: I believe in determining my own destiny and being able to make the decisions that I feel is best for my company and for my family.
Q: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: That would be decision making. Working for someone else, you pretty much have no control of your financial income and you are always answerable to someone. Some people feel comfortable taking that route which is perfectly fine if that’s how they prefer to do things, and some people (like myself) decide to take the other route- Be your own boss!
Q: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Social media marketing, Mobile marketing, email marketing, and flyer distribution seems to work best for me in my line of business.
Q: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your leisure time?
Ans: Out of work, I’m the average Joe. Hanging with friends and family, watching movies, going on vacations, pretty much I enjoy doing any outdoor activities.
Q: What makes you happy?
Ans: Making others happy, gives me ultimate satisfaction.
Q: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Time! Sometimes work prevents you from carrying out certain activities but that’s one of the sacrifices you need to make when your running a business.
Q: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: I admire any and every company that relates to marketing and advertising. I try to take bits and pieces from all the major companies out there inculcate that into my business.
Q: Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
Ans: 10 years from now, still working. 20 years from now definitely retired.
Q: If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
Ans: I think you guys pretty much did a great job !