DFW NACE

Tell us about your business or the work you do, including what you provided at the event you most recently sponsored.
I own, operate and am the exclusive DJ for MY DFW DJ – Weddings and events. I provide music entertainment for couples that are getting married as well as corporate events. I most recently sponsored our DFW Chapter NACE March meeting. As opposed to a sit down dinner, this meeting was setup as a strolling buffet. As a result, I was able to have a bit more fun with the music as the energy was different. There was movement and chatter at dinner time, so I wanted the music to match that activity. I also had the opportunity to fire up some cool “walk up” music as my colleagues approached and exited the stage, and the feedback from that was awesome!

What do you love most about the work you do?
What I love most is that I am able to provide mood-appropriate music for such a grand life celebration as a wedding. As we all know, music effects moods. There’s music that can motivate you in the gym. There’s music that soothes when things are intense. There’s also music that tells any couple’s love story. That’s what I enjoy most. Learning everything I can about a couple so that as that music plays, everyone can connect to that couple’s personal love story. I don’t believe in standard playlists. Not even for dinner or cocktail hour. Nearly every song can be about that couple and their love. The journey of learning that story and connecting the music is the first part of what I love. The end result is the icing on the cake.

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC?
I am 100% an Apple guy. Windows is an ex. I’m not a Windows hater. When it was good, it was actually great. They lost their way with Windows Vista. After that, I went Mac and never looked back. Windows has since rebounded but my tech world is so Apple-centric, there’s no need to interrupt the synergy.

When you’re not working, what are you doing?
I enjoy cooking, listening to other DJs and vacations with my wife and family.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list.
I would absolutely skydive (once) with a reputable company.

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events?
I don’t know if there’s a song I wish they would stop playing at events. I do however wish that the sentiment that a line dance will “instantly” pack the floor not be such an auto-pilot notion. It’s correct. Most line dances WILL pack the floor. But I have to think beyond those 4 minutes. I have to have a road map to the very end. Just hastily tossing on a song to appease the moment without a roadmap to the next 2 or 3 serves no one.

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?With an uninterrupted and unaccounted for extra hour, I would absolutely use it to discover new music. Keeping up with American radio hits is as easy as keeping up with a soap opera. You don’t have to find American radio hits. They will find you. They’re in commercials, they’re playing in the store, you hear them streamed by friends without effort. It’s just part of the American music landscape. But I love international music. I love EDM. I love African Music. I love Caribbean music. There just isn’t enough time in the day to keep up with it all. Yet. “the music” is what I remain most passionate about. A big part of that passion is that music is not one dimensional. So many facets. So many genres. So many sounds. So many influences. I love it all. Time is just limited.

Tell us about your business or the work you do, including what you provided at the event you most recently sponsored.

My friends call me Jenn and I am a wedding and portrait photographer. I started my business, Jennifer Crenshaw Photography, in 2010 after falling in love with shooting weddings as a lead photographer for a studio in Dallas. I was right out of college with an advertising degree and had no idea what I really wanted to do. Once I started learning my camera and creating beautiful imagery, I knew this was it, and I I’ve been shooting weddings big and small ever since I opened in 2010. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph the DFW NACE chapter and their annual awards gala at the Empire Room. The event had several moving parts for photography including a formal group photo of the board of directors, a casino game cocktail hour, and an awards presentation during dinner.

What do you love most about the work you do?

I feel like I have the best job in the world when I have my camera in hand. I’m one of those people who love to people watch, and it has given me the ability to capture true emotions at the right moments. I connect with people on a real level and create clients for life. As a small business owner, it’s been a long road, but I love that I have created a brand that I am proud of.

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC?

I’ve always been an iPhone/iMac user! I do all of my photo processing and editing on my Mac, and I must say that editing is the least favorite part of my job. 

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

When I’m not working, I’m binging Netflix with my husband. We have different schedules so when we get the chance to spend time with each other, snuggled up on the couch is where I want to be.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list

I have so many things on my bucket list but if I only get to choose one it would be photographing the Northern Lights. For the last 10 years I’ve made a yearly goal to travel to at least one place I’ve never been before, and Alaska is definitely on the bucket list of places to see. I try to combine my love of photography and my love of travel by creating personal projects for myself on trips.

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events? 

I wish they would stop playing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” at weddings. For me it marks the end of a very long day when I’m ready to go home and wind down with a glass of wine. However, if I’m at the bar or out with friends I will still sing it at the top of my lungs.

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

If I had an extra hour in the day, and these days with the virus it seems like I do, I would take a long and hot bubble bath and relax.

Tell us about your business or the work you do, including what you provided at the event you most recently sponsored.

Brite Beauty is an on-location, on-demand hair and makeup company, specializing in bridal with a flair for pOpUps. I soft launched Brite April of 2018 and we celebrated our first bridal glam in June of 2018. In 2019 we did over 100 wedding parties and countless clients. Recently I was awarded with the Fashion Group International Rising Star award in the Beauty Category. I am a Texas Tech graduate, a licensed cosmetologist for over 21 years, and wife and mother to the real modern family.  My mission to serve others well through business and leadership guides me to create, connect, and inspire every single day.

What do you love most about the work you do?

I literally love ALL aspects of the work I do. (Well almost – I don’t love answering email but who does? LOL) I love our sweet clients, the community, working with such talented artists, scaling a business; it’s all so thrilling!

Which best describes you? Iphone/Mac, Iphone/PC, Android/Mac, Android/PC?

I’m totes an Apple enthusiast and have been since 2004!

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

Ask anyone: I’m always working.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list.

Visit the Edge of Bali.

Is there a song you wish they would stop playing at events? 

Nope, I love all the cheesy dance songs! Bring on the Cupid Shuffle!

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

Working, creating more digital content for Brite. Or maybe writing. I’m finishing up a book that is written to empower women.