Supplier Focus: Nightlights DJ & Event Services

Here at Whitewed, we love seeing businesses grow, and we are lucky to have so many talented and ambitious business owners on our directory. 

This month we asked Whitewed Approved Nightlights DJ & Event Services to tell us about their DJ and entertainment business and how they've kept going during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Alastair Craig of Nightlights DJ & Events Services is Berkshire based and is a highly experienced professional wedding DJ, providing LED Dance floors, Photo Booths, Uplighting, Selfie Wizards and Pods.  Craig spent many years working in IT which has been invaluable to him in the development of his business, as well as helping him to adapt throughout the last 11 months.

Here Alastair shares what makes them different and what they've been up to over the last 11 months to keep their business going as the Coronavirus pandemic hit...

Tell us about Nightlight DJ & Event Services, the person behind it and what you offer

Nightlights was established in 1990 by myself, Alastair Craig, and over the years I have developed the business to concentrate on offering the finest DJ entertainment for weddings and corporate events.

What was your business light bulb moment?

The light bulb moment was when I was thrown in at the deep end and asked to spin a few tunes at a bar in Ibiza when the DJ didn’t turn up. I was only there on holiday with a good friend of mine and with some encouragement we stuck it out doing a week at the bar… and here I am today having just past my 30^th year as a DJ.

What made you take the plunge and go for it?

Since starting in 1990 the DJ business was part time as I had a career in IT, but I have always maintained a professional attitude towards the business which in turn has led to some great opportunities with working with some of the nicest venues in my area. The real plunge came in 2018 when I was made redundant from my permanent role in IT and I felt that I need to have a change and decided to take that leap of faith and continue as a full time DJ.

Photography Credit: Shane Webber Photography

What have you loved so far?

The best part of running my business is that I engage with people from all walks of life and visit so many interesting venues.

What challenges have you faced that you weren’t expecting? How have you overcome them?

Covid-19 has been my greatest challenge for the business. With a healthy book of work for 2020 / 21 & 22, I have seen this disappear, from revenue, during the current crisis. I have been exceptionally lucky that I have only refunded one couple for a cancellation, with everyone else postponing to new dates.

Has there been anything that you were expecting to find tough but it’s not been that bad?

Covid-19 is in doubt the toughest part of running the business. I have had to revaluate my personal situation but in reality have learnt new skills via assistance from my local business hub.  Having transferable skills meant I could jump back into IT as an alternative revenue stream, which has helped me personally as well for the business to keep it going.

A little birdie tells me you’ve been super busy during lockdown, do tell us all about

With the advent of technology I have managed to change part of my business to be available online. The Selfie Wizard traditionally has to be on site at the event for it to work, but unlike the traditional photo booth or magic mirror, we can now offer this service remotely so everyone can see your pictures as well as upload there own via a very simple web interface – all this from a mobile phone.

How important is your community of wedding supplier friends to your business?

The supplier community is important and to interact on forums is essential to get your name out there for recommendations. I always will try and work with other suppliers to get the best outcome for our mutual client.

Who cheers you on?

My family… But really my clients that I talk to encourage me to strive and do my best for them, although they don’t know it. I always take those golden nuggets on board through client meetings and go that extra mile to make the final delivery of my service special, something that they will remember.

What’s your proudest moment in business?

As a DJ my proudest moment was being asked to DJ at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol for the VIP after party for the Spice Girls, but my real achievement is my overall business as it is still going strong and onto bigger things after 30 years.

On another note, my ultimate proudest moment came in IT as I designed a secure file system to protect the data of Children and the Vulnerable which was implemented into 53 local authorities. It saved lives and cut the red tape and bureaucracy of departments failing to talk to each other.

Photography Credit: Fiona Forwood Photography

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

From a very early age, I always wanted to be involved in the graphic arts business as my father came from that background. Over time my design skills were not the best and at the age of 13, I taught myself how to program computers. This led me to create tools for media with either graphics or sound but later on moved in to creating routines for musicians to optimise sampled sound into their music, either for games or commercial chart releases.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Be true to yourself – do what I want to do and don’t follow. To be a success you must always be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them.

From my point of view I always strive to have 3 months income as a back up, and what a relief I did on this occasion to keep me going.

In your day to day role, what can’t you live without?

My mobile! It is the mobile office so I can respond to the messages, emails and keep up with social media when I am on the go.

What’s next for Nightlight DJ & Event Services?

A new brand identity and website for 2021 is the start of a steady expansion of the business currently in development and I am hopeful that I can roll out new plans to keep the business sustainable for many years more years to come.

Photography Credit: Paul Underhill Photography

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Thanks so much Alastair! Great to read about how you got started, just imagine where you would be now had that Ibiza DJ turned up!  We really look forward to seeing your new branding and website this year, exciting times ahead!

Hopefully you’ve found out lots of useful information from us on Nightlights DJ & Event Services, now it’s your turn to introduce yourself to them and find out how they could help with your wedding evening entertainment requirements…seriously, you won't regret it!

Happy planning!