Chattanooga Party DJ for Weddings, Special Events, Event Planning and Entertainment Solutions
About Us
My name is Dana Cooper, and I am the owner and founder of Chattanooga Entertainment Group. Chattanooga Entertainment Group is one of the most
open, honest, informative, and detailed Entertainment businesses in the market that keeps
our older generation’s “personable business practice” alive today.
Within our website, we want to provide to you as much detailed information as possible about us, our knowledge, past growth and experience, and the services that we offer for our clients. Below I will explain how I gained my knowledge in the event industry in my past years, as well as the knowledge that my husband and I both obtain today in working within Chattanooga Entertainment Group’s Weddings and Special Events.
open, honest, informative, and detailed Entertainment businesses in the market that keeps
our older generation’s “personable business practice” alive today.
Within our website, we want to provide to you as much detailed information as possible about us, our knowledge, past growth and experience, and the services that we offer for our clients. Below I will explain how I gained my knowledge in the event industry in my past years, as well as the knowledge that my husband and I both obtain today in working within Chattanooga Entertainment Group’s Weddings and Special Events.
Every Business begins with a story that is not often told….
And a good business owner shares how their business was created from their background.
Creative Growing Years
My mother, an interior designer, since I was 14 years of age, would always take me to her decorating jobs where I would sit and watch, and sometimes have to assist her in positioning, moving of furniture, and helping in placement of décor. For some reason, at that age I could not stand going to these jobs with her. Little did I know, I would grow to love the creative aspect of it, and the creativity of her career and my love of art would impact me to go into my own creative market in my future.
I went on to Cleveland State Community College to pursue an Art major at the age of 19, and began to assist my mother within her decorating jobs creating floral designs for her clients. Floral designing was just a hobby at this point, but because I grew to love it so much, loved creating things that made people smile, and the fact that her clients were so pleased with their designs, I knew that I wanted to pursue Floral Designing as my profession.
I then left college, and went full time in the Florist industry for a total of 19 years. This is before certification was necessary, and my entire years in the Florist industry were built by hands on experience in sales and customer service within Florist shops which also included Weddings and special events.
And a good business owner shares how their business was created from their background.
Creative Growing Years
My mother, an interior designer, since I was 14 years of age, would always take me to her decorating jobs where I would sit and watch, and sometimes have to assist her in positioning, moving of furniture, and helping in placement of décor. For some reason, at that age I could not stand going to these jobs with her. Little did I know, I would grow to love the creative aspect of it, and the creativity of her career and my love of art would impact me to go into my own creative market in my future.
I went on to Cleveland State Community College to pursue an Art major at the age of 19, and began to assist my mother within her decorating jobs creating floral designs for her clients. Floral designing was just a hobby at this point, but because I grew to love it so much, loved creating things that made people smile, and the fact that her clients were so pleased with their designs, I knew that I wanted to pursue Floral Designing as my profession.
I then left college, and went full time in the Florist industry for a total of 19 years. This is before certification was necessary, and my entire years in the Florist industry were built by hands on experience in sales and customer service within Florist shops which also included Weddings and special events.
Wedding Industry Growth Begins
In the Florist Industry, when you begin, it is not jumping straight into weddings as many may want, or think it does. Most florist shops consist of moving high volume product in a fast paced and long day work environment. The temperature in Florist shops is usually lower than most work environments, and your fingers remain like icicles while you work. You stand on your feet for the majority of the day. You have to know how to sell and create arrangements appropriately to fit client’s expectations and needs, learning and properly building funeral designs and everyday arrangements, cost effectiveness and shrink control, time management, learning the care of flowers as well as the longevity of flowers, learning and knowing recipes from FTD to Teleflora and other wire services, and learning to become faster to move more product. Weddings are usually not a primary focus of most florists’ shops. Weddings are usually just another part of the job that is involved along with all of the other every day duties described above. With all of this being said, and learned over the years, Weddings soon became what I loved most and became my primary passion and focus. It was my ultimate goal to remain within weddings and learn as much detail as possible about weddings throughout my life and profession.
In the Florist Industry, when you begin, it is not jumping straight into weddings as many may want, or think it does. Most florist shops consist of moving high volume product in a fast paced and long day work environment. The temperature in Florist shops is usually lower than most work environments, and your fingers remain like icicles while you work. You stand on your feet for the majority of the day. You have to know how to sell and create arrangements appropriately to fit client’s expectations and needs, learning and properly building funeral designs and everyday arrangements, cost effectiveness and shrink control, time management, learning the care of flowers as well as the longevity of flowers, learning and knowing recipes from FTD to Teleflora and other wire services, and learning to become faster to move more product. Weddings are usually not a primary focus of most florists’ shops. Weddings are usually just another part of the job that is involved along with all of the other every day duties described above. With all of this being said, and learned over the years, Weddings soon became what I loved most and became my primary passion and focus. It was my ultimate goal to remain within weddings and learn as much detail as possible about weddings throughout my life and profession.
Florist Industry Profession Comes To an End
In 2008, as much as my love was in the florist industry, I knew it was time to make a career change because my family needed me more at home. Within the Florist Industry, what a lot of people do not realize, as much as it seems like a glorious job to have, it is very hard work, long hours, and most holidays away from your family. While searching for a new career path to have more time with my family, and still remaining in the Florist Industry, I had a friend that used to sing karaoke with me, another one of my hobbies, where he stated, “You would be great at hosting karaoke shows”.
Not realizing there was a market and demand for this, I thought I would give it a shot. I began practicing at home, and then began hosting karaoke shows in small restaurant locations. The show locations began to grow, and I began to learn that there was a possibility of a new small business opportunity ahead of me. I remained working with wedding and Holiday design jobs with contracting clients to keep my love of that alive, but my primary income at that time began to come more from the karaoke shows, and gigs.
In 2008, as much as my love was in the florist industry, I knew it was time to make a career change because my family needed me more at home. Within the Florist Industry, what a lot of people do not realize, as much as it seems like a glorious job to have, it is very hard work, long hours, and most holidays away from your family. While searching for a new career path to have more time with my family, and still remaining in the Florist Industry, I had a friend that used to sing karaoke with me, another one of my hobbies, where he stated, “You would be great at hosting karaoke shows”.
Not realizing there was a market and demand for this, I thought I would give it a shot. I began practicing at home, and then began hosting karaoke shows in small restaurant locations. The show locations began to grow, and I began to learn that there was a possibility of a new small business opportunity ahead of me. I remained working with wedding and Holiday design jobs with contracting clients to keep my love of that alive, but my primary income at that time began to come more from the karaoke shows, and gigs.
A (KJ) Karaoke adventure begins and grows
My karaoke shows grew and so did a new learning process. Using appropriate equipment for sound quality and learning it, tuning each singer to fit their vocal quality and range, having enough equipment to cater to more than one singer, learning KJ programs and how to appropriately tag karaoke CDG files to create song books, and last but not least learning to not be fearful of speaking in public settings… Little did I know so much would be involved, but I enjoyed learning all of these things, and became very passionate about learning more.
My karaoke shows grew and so did a new learning process. Using appropriate equipment for sound quality and learning it, tuning each singer to fit their vocal quality and range, having enough equipment to cater to more than one singer, learning KJ programs and how to appropriately tag karaoke CDG files to create song books, and last but not least learning to not be fearful of speaking in public settings… Little did I know so much would be involved, but I enjoyed learning all of these things, and became very passionate about learning more.
DJ requests begin
I didn’t begin to DJ because it seemed like a “cool” job to do. This actually began by customers of our karaoke shows requesting to hear dance music when there was a pause in singing, and being that I did not like “dead air” anyway, I always made it a point to play music in between singers to help keep the air and entertainment alive. Therefore, the DJ’ing quickly became a huge part of my karaoke shows. In the learning process, I learned what music the customers were responding too, and when times were appropriate for particular music to be played throughout the evening.
Once I became very active in Karaoke and DJ combined, and taught myself the appropriate technology involved in sound, I knew it was time to create a business entity, and strive to bring my past wedding expertise within my new business.
I didn’t begin to DJ because it seemed like a “cool” job to do. This actually began by customers of our karaoke shows requesting to hear dance music when there was a pause in singing, and being that I did not like “dead air” anyway, I always made it a point to play music in between singers to help keep the air and entertainment alive. Therefore, the DJ’ing quickly became a huge part of my karaoke shows. In the learning process, I learned what music the customers were responding too, and when times were appropriate for particular music to be played throughout the evening.
Once I became very active in Karaoke and DJ combined, and taught myself the appropriate technology involved in sound, I knew it was time to create a business entity, and strive to bring my past wedding expertise within my new business.
Chattanooga Entertainment Group is formed
The time had come to create the business entity and focus primarily on the new business, and let the separate Florist job go. The business was growing quickly from day one booking weddings, birthday parties, reunions, dances, corporate functions and many other types of events
through word of mouth and the internet.
In our first years in business, I learned the In’s and out’s and do’s and don’ts that are quickly learned in any starting business, and the outcome has been phenomenal. Chattanooga Entertainment Group has grown to be a strong, educated, personable, and professionally built wedding and event business
“built on a foundation of experience” where we care whole heartedly about our clients wedding and event needs and expectations.
Over the years we have learned so much, and want our prospective clients to know that we put forth our all within every event as if it were our own.
The time had come to create the business entity and focus primarily on the new business, and let the separate Florist job go. The business was growing quickly from day one booking weddings, birthday parties, reunions, dances, corporate functions and many other types of events
through word of mouth and the internet.
In our first years in business, I learned the In’s and out’s and do’s and don’ts that are quickly learned in any starting business, and the outcome has been phenomenal. Chattanooga Entertainment Group has grown to be a strong, educated, personable, and professionally built wedding and event business
“built on a foundation of experience” where we care whole heartedly about our clients wedding and event needs and expectations.
Over the years we have learned so much, and want our prospective clients to know that we put forth our all within every event as if it were our own.
Emcee separate from brought DJ brought within CEG
Knowing that two bodies are better than one, I decided to take the business another step forward and provide other service options within my business. My husband, Paul Cooper, whom is an active member of Toastmasters International, quickly became my top choice to host as my emcee because of his public speaking expertise, and being my husband, I could depend on his presence.
This also has allowed me to focus primarily on building client music lists, updating our libraries in music and karaoke, time to build event timelines to fit each client specifically before their event, and given me the time to focus on the “day of the event” for accurate timing, queuing, and flow of music.
Not only does Paul emcee for our company, but he has also taken on the primary role of coordinating and assisting other coordinators for the day of events, assisting in direction of bridal parties, attendees, families, and event and venue hosts (in our or their built timelines) to
ensure in the accuracy of the flow of the event day.
Knowing that two bodies are better than one, I decided to take the business another step forward and provide other service options within my business. My husband, Paul Cooper, whom is an active member of Toastmasters International, quickly became my top choice to host as my emcee because of his public speaking expertise, and being my husband, I could depend on his presence.
This also has allowed me to focus primarily on building client music lists, updating our libraries in music and karaoke, time to build event timelines to fit each client specifically before their event, and given me the time to focus on the “day of the event” for accurate timing, queuing, and flow of music.
Not only does Paul emcee for our company, but he has also taken on the primary role of coordinating and assisting other coordinators for the day of events, assisting in direction of bridal parties, attendees, families, and event and venue hosts (in our or their built timelines) to
ensure in the accuracy of the flow of the event day.
Timeline Management ~ Itinerary
And its importance to Chattanooga Entertainment Group
Time-line management is something that is very important to us. There have been times during some of our past events over the years where we found ourselves getting together the bridal party, special event speakers, bride and groom, family members, etc. ready for their special event moments
even when a hired coordinator is already involved.
Even if you have a coordinator involved, it is pertinent that your Coordinator is in direct communication with your DJ about all the special
events on your event day. We have to know (roughly) when special events are to occur, and in what order.
We are aware that a special event “time to happen” during your day can change at any moment, but it’s better to be organized with a set plan to avoid confusion and problems. If this is not done, this can sometimes cause confusion and un-organization during your event day, and that is what we do our best to help keep from happening even if you already have a coordinator.
And its importance to Chattanooga Entertainment Group
Time-line management is something that is very important to us. There have been times during some of our past events over the years where we found ourselves getting together the bridal party, special event speakers, bride and groom, family members, etc. ready for their special event moments
even when a hired coordinator is already involved.
Even if you have a coordinator involved, it is pertinent that your Coordinator is in direct communication with your DJ about all the special
events on your event day. We have to know (roughly) when special events are to occur, and in what order.
We are aware that a special event “time to happen” during your day can change at any moment, but it’s better to be organized with a set plan to avoid confusion and problems. If this is not done, this can sometimes cause confusion and un-organization during your event day, and that is what we do our best to help keep from happening even if you already have a coordinator.
If you already have a coordinator booked, how we can still help you and not step on your coordinator’s toes?
If you already have a coordinator booked, we completely respect their authority, and have no problem working with them on what your event timeline involves that they have built. We also ask the same respect as some may sometimes think we are trying to take over their job. That not being the case, but because your Itinerary is needed for us to build your music list from beginning to end, and to know what is happening when, this is why it is so important to us.
If you have a separate Coordinator outside of Chattanooga Entertainment Group, please ask your Coordinator to send us your Itinerary, and if anything changes to let us know prior to your event day. On your event day, If we see that our help is needed, we will respectfully ask your coordinator where they may need our help. It is our job to know timing, for what, when, where, who, what there name is, and how to pronounce their name correctly… as should be any DJ’s position. Everything described here are items on the Itinerary that we prefer having prior the day of your event.
If you already have a coordinator booked, we completely respect their authority, and have no problem working with them on what your event timeline involves that they have built. We also ask the same respect as some may sometimes think we are trying to take over their job. That not being the case, but because your Itinerary is needed for us to build your music list from beginning to end, and to know what is happening when, this is why it is so important to us.
If you have a separate Coordinator outside of Chattanooga Entertainment Group, please ask your Coordinator to send us your Itinerary, and if anything changes to let us know prior to your event day. On your event day, If we see that our help is needed, we will respectfully ask your coordinator where they may need our help. It is our job to know timing, for what, when, where, who, what there name is, and how to pronounce their name correctly… as should be any DJ’s position. Everything described here are items on the Itinerary that we prefer having prior the day of your event.
Pricing
Chattanooga Entertainment Group provides the best and affordable Entertainment pricing market for weddings and special events for the services that we do offer. We offer multiple packages customized to fit every event for their specified needs. Packages can be emailed to you by completing our online contact form within our contact us page.
Chattanooga Entertainment Group provides the best and affordable Entertainment pricing market for weddings and special events for the services that we do offer. We offer multiple packages customized to fit every event for their specified needs. Packages can be emailed to you by completing our online contact form within our contact us page.
Illness or Sickness of our main staff
In case of illness or sickness, we do keep extra help available if it is needed. Fortunately, we have never had to do this,
but we do keep additional help as a precautionary measure.
In case of illness or sickness, we do keep extra help available if it is needed. Fortunately, we have never had to do this,
but we do keep additional help as a precautionary measure.
Booking and securing your Event Date
We require a $100.00 deposit to secure your event date. Your deposit is then deducted from your total balance given to you within your full initial quote.
Taxes are included within every package that we offer. No additional hidden fees are ever given, and are especially not given in the time that it takes for us to set up or break down, as they are included in the packages as well.
We require a $100.00 deposit to secure your event date. Your deposit is then deducted from your total balance given to you within your full initial quote.
Taxes are included within every package that we offer. No additional hidden fees are ever given, and are especially not given in the time that it takes for us to set up or break down, as they are included in the packages as well.
