9021Mom: Beverly Hills DJ Brings the Beats

Everybody loves a party and Beverly Hills High School senior Omid Soumikh is the one to make you feel like dancing. When he was 15 years old, he launched Dj Krisp—with a lower-case "j"—and four years later his business is stayin' alive. 

I've had the pleasure of knowing Soumikh and recently sat down with him to find out how he did it.

Soumikh's love of music and sociability inspired him to seek out older DJs for their knowledge.

"I wanted to be like them," he said. "They took me under their wing while I learned the business. They invited me to their gigs to watch and learn." 

With his family's support he got things off the ground.

"My uncle helped me buy a $3,000 DJ system," Soumikh said. "I promised to pay him back in 18 months."

Good to his word, he earned more than enough to repay his uncle. His mother drove him to his jobs until he got his license.

Soumikh's first gig was a sweet sixteen party on the recommendation of a family friend. He gave out his business cards and through word of mouth was hired for graduation parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, private parties and business events. He brings his DJ system, which includes speakers and his Mac Book Pro equipped with Serato software that plays back sound files from traditional vinyl turntables. 

"I read the crowd to choose which music to play: Hip House, House, Electro or Dirty Dutch," Soumikh said.

Dedicated to his job, Soumikh works every Saturday night. On a busy weekend he can do several four-hour gigs. With the help of friends who volunteer their time, his business continues to grow. Facebook, Twitter, and MediaFire, in addition to word of mouth, are his marketing strategies.

I asked Soumikh about his plans for the future. With a big smile he said he would continue to grow Dj Krisp.

"I hope to travel around the world, headlining clubs, attend Santa Monica Community College and transfer to Harvard," he said.

Soumikh's parents remain his staunch supporters who are impressed by their son's earning power. Kudos to this entrepreneurial young man who dares to live his dream and inspire other young people to do what they love.

Omid Soumikh can be contacted at 310-500-5713 or djkrispy@yahoo.com.

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