Meet Kim Collins of Kim Collins Entertainment in North Shore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Collins.

Kim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m originally from the Midwest but have lived in Boston for many years. I started out in radio and worked on the air at dozens of stations before I decided to go to work for myself. Radio had been my passion for my entire career, starting in high school. Along with being on the air was promotional work. Glad handing with listeners had always been a favorite part of my job. Introducing concerts, promoting beer companies in clubs, broadcasting remotely from airplanes, grand openings, parades, marathons and holiday events…I loved all of it. I enjoy engaging and working a crowd. So…when radio started to die, I decided to work for myself and DJ and emcee events. Now, I mostly do weddings and corporate events and, as a woman, I’ve found that my role extends beyond just playing music. Just last weekend at a Jewish wedding that I did…complete with 2 drag queens, I spotted a woman in the bathroom with the back of her dress undone. I stepped in to help her and she said…”Wow, you wouldn’t catch a guy doing this!” Many times I find my role crosses over to wedding planner/venue coordinator and I don’t mind!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think the biggest obstacle when I started working for myself was the fear that something would go wrong with my gear. I wasn’t afraid of speaking in front of a crowd…but the thought of my gear freezing had me seriously panicked. In radio there were engineers who set everything up for you. So, when you walked into an event, they handed you a mic and you were on your way. If something went wrong, they had to deal with it! In the first few years, it was honestly, almost paralyzing. But, with time and confidence from doing a bunch of gigs, the anxiety seemed to subside.

Please tell us about Kim Collins Entertainment.
Kim Collins Entertainment came to fruition 7 years ago when I knew that my on-air job was ending as the station was changing formats. I loved being on the air…but radio wasn’t and isn’t the same. Long gone were the days of rockstar promotions…fans weren’t listening and the internet killed us. I knew that my strong suit was working a crowd and even though I swore I would never, ever work with intoxicated people at weddings again…here I am! Last week, at a Jewish wedding I did, I stepped into the bathroom and noticed that the woman in front of me hadn’t snapped the neck of her dress. Of course, I reached out to assist and she commented that you’d never see a man do that. That’s became my niche. The basket of flip flops that I bring to every wedding has become my trademark. I find myself in dual roles many times….wedding planner/DJ and venue coordinator/DJ. I think I’m a great DJ…but my passion is emceeing and working a crowd. Most people are shocked to see a female DJ and that’s what sets me apart from the other guys.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Haha…believe it or not, nothing really. I so enjoyed my time on the air and even though I said I’d never do gigs again, I’ve learned to really like it. Who knows…maybe someday radio will be back in my life and I’m certainly open to the possibility. But, it’s tough to give up working for yourself and making your own schedule.

Pricing:

• Weddings start at $1695
• Events up to 4 hrs start at $795

Contact Info:

• Address: Peabody, MA
• Website: kimcollinsentertainment.com
• Phone: 978/265-3646
• Email: kim@kimcollins.net
• Instagram: @djkimcollins1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djkimcollins1/
• Twitter: @djkimcollins

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