Business & Tech
Small Business Q&A: DJ Neezy Entertainment
This East Cobb disc jockey works to get all party goers on the dance floor.
Ben Needle, a.k.a. DJ Neezy, admits, "I just love music and I love dancing. Being a DJ brings revenue and good times together for me."
When not at a birthday party encouraging small children to wiggle their hands in the air, Needle may be teaching social studies at a Cobb County high school or teaching Hebrew and Judaic studies to 6th graders at . Or you might find him revving up the crowd at an event, like he did yesterday when he played music at .
Needle's alias, DJ Neezy, is derived from a name his Kell High School students gave him when the class produced a rap video as part of their studies.
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"I asked my students what I could do to help them learn better and one young man suggested we make a music video. We did and it was fun."
In 2002 Needle earned a Master of Education at University of Georgia and then was hired by Kell, which made Needle a founding staff member of the school. Kell recently celebrated his 10 year anniversary at the school.
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Q. What's the best thing about your job?
A. I get to help people create lasting memories and fun events. From 5 years-old to 95, we have a blast. If I'm not tired at the end of a party then I'm not satisfied. I'm very active. The best work out is playing a birthday party for little kids.
Q. What is the best thing about East Cobb?
A. I moved to East Cobb in 1987. It's a community that continues to thrive. It's a great place to have a good time and to raise a family. People really work hard to help out local businesses. The East Cobb Snobs Facebook page has been good to me.
Q. Why did you choose to open your business in East Cobb?
A. I live here. I don't have a storefront but I do have a general area of service. It's a great place to be.
Q. Why did you pick this kind of business?
A. Growing up I went to a lot of bar and bat mitzvahs and there was always music in the house. It's really nice to be able to make money and have fun.
Q. What are some of the services you offer that people may not know about?
A. It's a great entertainment opportunity for every age, every occasion. I meet with clients before the event so that I know what they want and can create custom events for them.
Q. When did you start your business?
A. I was all geared up and started booking and working my own parties in 2010.
Q. How did your business get started?
A. Steve Bond is a friend who works at my school. He is a DJ with his own business, Steve's Party Music. I learned from him. Steve was the one who told me that I'd be a great DJ. I learned the technical aspects of the work and then it was time for the bird to leave the nest. We still DJ some big events together.
Q. Do you have advice for anyone who'd like to start a small business in this area?
A. Find something that you love. Work ceases to be work; a job ceases to be a job if you are doing something that you love. When I'm driving to class to teach or driving to a party I'm excited and thinking, 'this is going to be great.'
Identify what makes you tick and get involved in that and you'll be in good shape.
Q. Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know?
A. Anytime is a good time to have a party. Any party, any place, any time. Call me when you need a DJ.
