Today we’d like to introduce you to David Akao.
Hi David, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
DJ Dave started as something I honestly never expected to turn into a business. I’ve always loved music, and I eventually decided I wanted to learn how to DJ for myself. I started teaching myself the basics, taking lessons, practicing at home, and slowly getting more comfortable behind the decks.
I’m also not really someone who naturally goes out every weekend or is always at parties, so DJing has become a way for me to push myself outside of my comfort zone. It gives me a reason to get out, meet new people, have fun, and experience different events and environments that I probably would not have otherwise. The fact that I can do all of that while also making some side income has made it even more rewarding.
My first opportunities were smaller events, fundraisers, and community gatherings around Wichita. From there, things started growing through word of mouth. I began DJing university events, fitness events, parties, weddings, and other community events, and I realized pretty quickly how much I enjoyed being able to bring energy to a room and help create an experience people remembered.
What started as a hobby has now grown into DJ Dave ICT, a legitimate side business that I’m continuing to build. I’ve had the opportunity to DJ everything from packed campus events to weddings, fundraisers, and local events, while continuing to improve my equipment, music library, emceeing, and overall performance.
I still consider myself early in the journey, which is probably the most exciting part. Every event teaches me something new, and my goal is to continue growing DJ Dave throughout Wichita while staying focused on what made me enjoy it in the first place: good music, meeting people, having fun, and creating a great atmosphere.
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?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges early on has been securing equipment and building up everything I need for gigs. I started out borrowing speakers, and that came with some learning experiences of its own.
I’ve had speakers go out during gigs, speakers overheat during hot outdoor events, my laptop die, and even had my laptop blow off the stand during a windy outdoor gig. I’ve also made plenty of smaller mistakes along the way while learning how to manage different venues, crowds, equipment, timelines, and unexpected situations.
At the time, some of those moments were stressful, but they have all been valuable learning experiences. Every gig has taught me something new about being more prepared, having backup plans, taking better care of my equipment, and staying calm when something does not go exactly as planned. I’m still learning, but I think those challenges have helped me become a better DJ and more confident in handling whatever gets thrown at me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
DJ Dave ICT is an open-format DJ business based in Wichita. I DJ a wide range of events, including weddings, university events, fundraisers, fitness events, private parties, community events, and more. I enjoy being able to adapt to different crowds and environments rather than limiting myself to one specific type of event or genre.
One thing I think I do well is reading the room and knowing what songs to play at the right time. I try to bring a calm but fun approach to every event and make sure the music fits the crowd, the moment, and the overall atmosphere. My background in coaching has probably helped me more than I realized in these environments because I am used to communicating with different personalities, bringing energy when it is needed, staying composed, and adjusting quickly based on the people around me.
Because of my background working with athletes, students, and the community, I have also been able to use DJing as another way to connect with people. Some of my favorite events have been fundraisers and community events where DJing can help bring people together while supporting a good cause.
Brand-wise, I am probably most proud that DJ Dave has grown organically. It started as something I wanted to learn for fun, and it has gradually turned into a real side business through relationships, referrals, and people giving me opportunities to DJ their events. I am still continuing to invest in better equipment, improve my skills, and learn with every gig.
Ultimately, I want people to know that DJ Dave ICT is about helping create a fun, memorable experience and making sure the music adds something meaningful to the event.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would definitely say I enjoy taking risks, especially when they push me outside of my comfort zone and give me a chance to grow.
DJing my first wedding felt like a risk because there is a lot of responsibility that comes with being part of such an important day. DJing the Delano Parade was another risk because it was an event with thousands of people walking through, which was a much bigger audience and environment than I was used to at the time.
At the end of the day, I would do both of those things again without hesitation. I had a blast, learned a lot, and gained confidence from both experiences. I think that is how I try to look at risk in general. There is always a chance something does not go perfectly, but some of the best experiences I have had have come from saying yes before I felt completely ready.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/djdaveict
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/djdaveict
