Meet Ben Richardson of Ben Rich Productions, STEAM Renaissance, and Super Bee Rentals

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Richardson

Ben, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My greatest joy is being a father to three incredible children! I love you, Eusavio, Zion, and Zoe.

As a child, I was filled with curiosity about how things worked, how they were built, and how they functioned when electricity was introduced. I spent countless hours playing video games. In fact, I had three televisions, each connected to a different gaming console (Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Sega Genesis). While immersed in these virtual worlds, my sisters played an eclectic mix of 80s and 90s vinyls in the background. Little did I realize that I was developing a passion for music and absorbing the rhythmic patterns and melodies of these songs, which would later become my signature sound. My parents played soul music from the 70s and 80s on Saturday mornings, featuring artists like Luther Vandross, The Temptations, The Spinners, Sade, Earth, Wind & Fire, Dazz Band, and Cameo, among others.

Math was my favorite subject in school. I discovered this during the first grade when I found it easy to grasp the concepts of multiplication and division. I progressed to exponents and powers in the second grade and was fortunate enough to be selected for the Talented and Gifted program, commonly known as TAG. A bus would transport students from school to another school during part of the school day, where they could engage in more advanced and challenging work and projects that went beyond the curriculum.

In high school, I participated in both basketball and track. In 2000, our basketball team achieved a remarkable victory, winning the State Championship. I played the role of starting point guard during my sophomore year. Seeking guidance on my future career path, I met with my school counselor, and the outcome was that I would pursue an engineering degree. With this decision, I applied to an engineering program and graduated with a 4.1 GPA, showcasing advanced studies in Physics, Math, and English.

During spring break, a high school friend of mine embarked on a college tour to Prairie View A&M. We were instantly captivated by the vibrant atmosphere and the genuine Southern hospitality that permeated the campus. It was a truly unforgettable experience.

During my sophomore year of college, I secured an internship in the INROADS, Inc. program, which led to an internship with Kansas City Power & Light and an Electrical Engineering internship. After graduating with honors, I accepted a full-time position as an Electrical & Controls Engineer at KCP&L, where I worked for 10 years before transitioning into education and teaching coding and engineering to students from Pre-K to 8th grade.

While working as an engineer, I also embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, starting my first business as an event and wedding photographer from 2007 to 2010. My passion for music then inspired me to launch a DJ services business in 2009, which has flourished and continues to thrive after 15 remarkable years! I’ve had the privilege of performing at events for renowned artists such as Al B. Sure, DaBrat, Lil Duval, Case, Tech N9ne, and Janelle Monáe. My DJ services seamlessly blend and mix music from diverse genres, including soul, R&B, Hip Hop, country, pop, and jazz.

Currently, I am the proud owner of three thriving businesses, operating as a fully independent and self-employed individual. STEAM Renaissance provides educational services focused on STEAM, coding, engineering, and technology education for students of all ages. Super Bee Rentals offers a convenient car rental service through Turo, catering to visitors exploring Kansas City and embarking on road trips to nearby cities and exciting adventures. My rental fleet includes a Tesla Model 3 and a Jeep Gladiator. Ben Rich Productions, my passion project, is my DJ company where I can express my love for music through the joy of creating the perfect atmosphere and ambiance for celebrations. Through rhythm, I strive to create the desired mood and elevate the overall experience for those who attend my performances.

In addition to my teaching responsibilities as a middle school science teacher at Brookside Charter School, I manage my other businesses concurrently. I am currently working on a significant community project that I am excited to unveil next year, aiming to make a positive impact on the community.

A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incoporated.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been anything but a straight path. Along the way, I’ve worked on developing self-care and self-confidence, drawing on books, prayer, meditation, and a daily practice of gratitude. Navigating the corporate world felt like being caught in a relentless race for the next title, which eventually led me to a pivotal realization: I wanted to create my own path. I wanted to build something that aligned with my passions and allowed me to make a difference in my own unique way.

Today, I’m the proud owner of three businesses that I run with purpose and dedication. Each one is an extension of the things I love and would gladly do for free because they reflect my life’s purpose and bring me joy. Stepping away from the security of a corporate role was daunting, but over time, each leap became less intimidating, opening up new levels of freedom and fulfillment.

Now, I’m no longer trading hours for income. I’ve gained the priceless opportunity to invest my time in meaningful work and, more importantly, in truly living.

As you know, we’re big fans of Ben Rich Productions, STEAM Renaissance, Super Bee Rentals. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
–Professional Background–

17 years as a business owner
13 years in the electrical utility industry
8 years in STEAM education
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University
MBA focusing on Computer Network & Security from Park University

–Ben Rich Productions, LLC (DJ Ben Rich)–

DJ Ben Rich is a multifaceted professional based in Kansas City, Kansas & Kansas City, Missouri, offering a range of services that blend his engineering expertise with his passion for music and education.

DJ and Karaoke Services: DJ Ben Rich specializes in curating musical experiences for various events, including private parties, corporate gatherings, and weddings. His services feature professional sound systems, dynamic lighting, and an extensive song library catering to all musical tastes. He also offers premier karaoke services, transforming events into interactive musical experiences where guests can sing and dance throughout the night.

Music Production and Mixes: Beyond live events, DJ Ben Rich creates unique mixes and mashups, seamlessly blending genres and eras to craft engaging musical journeys.

–STEAM Renaissance–

STEAM Renaissance is an educational initiative based in Kansas City, Kansas, dedicated to revitalizing student learning through the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The program emphasizes interactive, game-based learning environments that encourage students to engage with engineering principles and the engineering design process.

Educational Resources: STEAM Renaissance offers a variety of teaching materials designed to foster creativity and critical thinking.

Educational Philosophy: The teaching approach at STEAM Renaissance centers on engaging students in the engineering design process. This involves identifying problems, brainstorming solutions, prototyping, testing, and refining ideas, encouraging students to think like engineers and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.

–Super Bee Rentals–

My Turo-based rental car service caters to visitors and residents in Kansas City, offering a convenient and flexible car rental solution for various needs. Whether you’re visiting Kansas City and need reliable transportation, planning a road trip, or simply require a vehicle for local errands or special events, I provide a range of well-maintained, quality cars to suit any purpose.

Founded in 2022, this business was born out of a passion for cars and a commitment to exceptional customer service. I aim to make car rentals an easy, enjoyable experience by focusing on flexibility, affordability, and personalized service. Unlike traditional rental companies, my Turo platform allows for easy booking, personalized vehicle options, and seamless communication.

My dedication to customer satisfaction goes beyond just providing cars—I strive to deliver an experience tailored to each renter, whether it’s offering recommendations for local spots or accommodating last-minute travel changes. Every vehicle is cleaned, inspected, and ready to drive, ensuring that renters can trust us for a smooth and reliable ride.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Analytical Problem-Solving
-Strategic Thinking: Analytical problem-solving involves breaking down complex issues into manageable parts and identifying effective solutions. This skill is particularly valuable in assessing situations quickly, weighing different options, and forecasting potential outcomes.
-Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data and metrics to guide decisions, analytical problem-solving helps refine processes, boost efficiency, and improve outcomes by systematically addressing the root cause of issues, whether in business operations or customer service.

Music Memory and Impromptu Mixing
-Strong Music Recall: A solid memory for music enables quick recall of songs, genres, and artists, essential for tailoring playlists to the audience’s mood and preferences. This talent ensures a seamless, engaging experience for listeners.
-Live Mixing Skills: Impromptu mixing is a skill that combines creativity with technical expertise. It involves adapting music on the spot, layering beats, and blending tracks to maintain a dynamic and uninterrupted flow, enhancing the overall atmosphere at events.

Customer Satisfaction
-Proactive Service Mindset: Customer satisfaction is rooted in anticipating needs and going the extra mile to make clients feel valued and heard. It’s about delivering exceptional experiences that exceed expectations and build loyalty.
-Responsiveness and Problem-Solving: Maintaining high customer satisfaction often involves managing and resolving issues quickly and effectively, turning potential problems into opportunities to reinforce trust and showcase reliability.

Relatability
-Connecting with Others: Relatability is about building rapport and trust by understanding others’ perspectives and experiences. It fosters strong connections with clients, colleagues, and students, making interactions more meaningful and memorable.
-Empathy in Communication: By relating on a personal level, this skill makes people feel seen and understood, creating a comfortable environment that enhances collaboration, support, and engagement.

Patience and Human Understanding
-Calm Under Pressure: Patience is essential in managing stress and maintaining composure, especially in high-stakes situations or when dealing with challenging scenarios. It enables thoughtful responses rather than reactive ones.
-Human-Centered Approach: Patience and understanding promote empathy and allow for more tailored interactions that respect others’ emotions, perspectives, and needs. This skill is invaluable in service roles, teaching, and leadership.

Creative Engineering Practices for Practical Needs
-Innovative Solutions: Creative engineering involves using unconventional ideas to solve real-world challenges. It combines technical knowledge with out-of-the-box thinking to create practical, cost-effective solutions.
-Hands-On Problem Solving: This skill is about translating theoretical knowledge into applied techniques that fulfill specific needs. It’s often used in developing user-friendly designs, efficient systems, or resourceful solutions that enhance functionality in everyday life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://djbenrich.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djbenrich/profilecard/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.richardson.39545464
• Other: https://turo.com/us/en/drivers/19258165
• Other: https://steamrenaissancekc.com/