We had the good fortune of connecting with DJ Brian Howe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DJ Brian, what do you attribute your success to?
1. Prioritize Networking Over Advertising

Networking is one of the most valuable tools in building a sustainable and respected brand—often more impactful than traditional marketing or advertising. Developing a strong reputation and becoming a recognized name in your industry opens doors that ads alone cannot.

It’s essential to build a network of trusted peers within your industry and local market. Mutual referrals are incredibly powerful, and those relationships often become the foundation of long-term success. Attend networking events, introduce yourself, and put a face to your brand. Be authentic in your approach—don’t focus on selling. Instead, focus on connecting. When people trust you and understand what you bring to the table, they’ll naturally feel comfortable referring your services to others. Trust and consistency are the foundation.

2. Refine and Focus Your Services

Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, identify the core strengths of your brand—what truly sets you apart. It’s perfectly fine to offer multiple services, but it’s important to define your primary focus. Select up to three key offerings that represent your brand’s excellence and build your identity around them.

Ask yourself: What do I offer that’s unique in my field? How do I communicate that clearly to others? What makes my approach or execution stand out? When your brand has a focused message, it becomes easier for clients—and referrals—to understand and remember you.

3. Be Strategic and Consistent on Social Media

A strong social media presence is a vital part of today’s professional ecosystem. Start by understanding your target demographic and identifying which platforms they’re most active on. Then, make sure you’re showing up consistently in those spaces.

Engage with industry-specific groups and pages—not just to promote, but to participate meaningfully. Offer advice, share your experiences, and become a valuable resource. The goal isn’t just visibility, but credibility. People are more inclined to work with or refer professionals they trust and recognize as experts. It takes time to build that presence, but consistent, thoughtful engagement on social media can turn your audience into advocates.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a full-time music producer working from my dedicated home studio. After many years as a full-time special event DJ, I’ve transitioned to focusing primarily on music production. Today, I DJ selectively for a limited number of events that align with my artistic interests, while devoting most of my time to producing music for a diverse range of clients across multiple industries.

My core client base includes:

1. Major Record Labels and Artists
I work extensively with traditional record labels, primarily remixing tracks for professional DJs to use in their live sets. My regular clients include all major labels as well as independent artists. While I’ve collaborated with a broad spectrum of the music industry, my ongoing work centers around the mainstream artists heard on radio and streaming platforms. I find it deeply rewarding to take a popular track, infuse it with my creative vision, and then hear that remix played in clubs, on the radio, or in DJ sets around the world. Knowing that my work contributes to the global DJ and dance community is incredibly fulfilling.

2. Fitness Brands and Professionals
Since 1995, I’ve produced custom music for the fitness industry, supporting group fitness classes, workout videos, and instructional content. My clients have included some of the most recognizable fitness brands in the world, such as Beachbody, FitTV, OrangeTheory Fitness, Lifetime Fitness, Burn Bootcamp, F45, CorePower Yoga, Title Boxing, and more. If you’ve participated in a group fitness class or seen a fitness-related commercial or workout video, there’s a good chance you’ve heard my music in the background.

3. Film, Television, and Commercial Licensing
I’ve licensed and produced music for major television networks and shows, including Oprah (Harpo Productions), Discovery Networks, ABC, CBS, and others. My work has also appeared in national commercials and feature films. This is an ongoing area of my business, with my original compositions regularly licensed for reality TV programs in the U.S., U.K., and across Europe.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Estes Park is always a must. We’d spend the day exploring all the charming shops along the main strip, take a guided tour of the historic Stanley Hotel, and top it off with some great food and a scoop (or two) of ice cream.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is another essential stop—it’s iconic, world-renowned, and a perfect place to soak in the natural beauty and cultural significance of Colorado.

For my beer-loving friends, we’d head to Fort Collins for a craft brewery tour. The city is home to some of the best breweries in the state, and hopping between them is always a great way to spend the day.

In Denver, we’d stop at Union Station for drinks or lunch, and take some time to walk around and enjoy the city’s atmosphere. In the evening, I’d bring them to LoDo (Lower Downtown) to experience Denver’s vibrant nightlife—plenty of energy, great bars, and music.

And of course, we’d take a scenic drive up I-70 to experience the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. Along the way, we’d stop in Idaho Springs for a bite—maybe some pizza or local comfort food—while taking in the mountain-town charm.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to my longtime colleagues—and friends—John Ski and Beau Sanchez of Howe Eventful. These two have been instrumental in helping shape the foundation of our entertainment and event production company from the very beginning.

Their dedication, talent, and belief in the vision were vital to building the reputation and momentum that Howe Eventful enjoys today. I truly believe the brand wouldn’t be where it is without their unwavering support and contributions.

I’m incredibly proud to pass the torch to John Ski, who is now taking the lead as the new owner of Howe Eventful. I’ll remain in an advisory role, supporting him as he continues to evolve the brand with his own vision—while honoring the values and standards that have defined us from the start.

Beau Sanchez continues to play a critical role as Director of Operations. Though he tends to work behind the scenes, his presence is often felt at networking events and throughout our projects.

Because of the strength of this team, I’ve been able to step away from the special events side of the business and return to my roots as an artistic DJ. I’m now focusing on public events that reignite my passion and remind me why I fell in love with this craft in the first place.

Website: https://djbrianhowe.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/djbrianhowe

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djbrianhowe

Facebook: https://facebook.com/djbrianhowe

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@djbrianhowe

Other: Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/djbrianhowe/

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