2027 Presenters

gearAshley started DJing at 16 in Los Angeles. Since then she has played Disney movie premieres, Carnival Cruise Lines, NFL and F1 events, nightclubs, festivals, weddings, corporate functions, and silent discos. She now runs an agency based in Scottsdale and Las Vegas that books talent nationwide. The agency focuses on female DJs and strong project management.

Ashley's presentation at MBDJ Con is titled:
The DJ Company Hack: Low Overhead, High Returns.

Most of us got into the DJ business because we love music and entertaining. Somewhere along the way, we turned into warehouse managers for our own companies.

At the 2027 Mobile Beat DJ Con in Las Vegas,  Ashley Thompson, known as DJ Desire, will show you how to get out of that cycle. Ashley is the founder and CEO of Desirable Entertainment. Her session is called "The DJ Company Hack: Low Overhead, High Returns — Scaling your DJ Company to Multiple Markets with Low Inventory and High Profit Margins."

Her model starts with a foundation built on a high-standard roster. Each DJ is more than just talent, they are a self-contained production unit. They bring their own pro controller, booth, speakers, wireless mics, and lighting. That means no warehouse, no vans, and no gear depreciation on the books. Yearly independent contractor agreements and strict non-solicitation rules protect everyone. Leads always go back to the source, which builds trust with partner companies and DJs alike.

Then comes the "Revenue Stack," five ways to profit from a single event:

1. **Talent commission:** a 30% agent fee on bookings.

2. **Production markup:** 10–20% on extras such as stages, CO2, and photo booths from local AV partners.

3. **Travel management fee:** a 10% "peace of mind" charge for out-of-state logistics.

4. **Working DJ income:** you keep 100% when you perform with your own gear.

5. **Strategic partnerships:** commissions and coordination work, such as her role with Sound Off silent disco.

You'll also learn about her "Remote PM" workflow for running a multi-state operation from home. It uses a single invoice for the client, a detailed run-of-show sent to DJs and vendors weeks ahead, and a "no photo, no pay" quality rule. DJs are paid within 24 hours of their report. Most companies take 30 days, and that fast pay helps keep good people.

Finally, Ashley explains how a clear niche, "The Female DJ Company," made her the first call for med spas, women's retail brands, and femme-forward events.

Her takeaway is simple: your value isn't in the gear you own. It's in the experience you curate and the logistics you simplify. Stop being a gear owner and start being a business owner.

Ready to work smarter, not heavier? Join us at Mobile Beat DJ Con. Grab your spot and come ready to rethink how you build your DJ business.