Our Story at NewSwivel

Every company has a beginning. Ours started in my sister's basement.

My name is Matt, and NewSwivel began as a passion project with my friend Bill. We'd spend hours talking about music, recording interviews, and dreaming about what we wanted to build. Eventually, those conversations turned into something bigger—a DJ company focused on creating unforgettable events.

While I was driven by the vision of building the business, Bill discovered his passion for running events and became our Lead DJ. Together, we set out to create a company we could genuinely be proud of.

Neither of us came from traditional entertainment backgrounds. We were engineers and programmers, and we approached the business the same way we approached technology: build better systems, solve problems, and make things easier for people.

Since launching in 2022, NewSwivel has booked more than 300 events, grown our profits by 150%, expanded our team with talented DJs and photographers, and grown from a single office into four offices in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Every milestone has been the result of hard work, constant learning, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Built Around People

Starting a business isn't easy. In the beginning, our biggest challenge was finding clients. Today, our biggest responsibility is maintaining the same level of quality as our team grows.

Our philosophy is simple:

• Make the planning process easy.
• Be honest about what clients can expect.
• Never sacrifice quality for convenience.

Many people don't notice the hundreds of small details that make an event feel effortless—but we do. That's where we spend our time. Every system we build, every meeting we hold, and every improvement we make is designed to give our clients an amazing experience.

As we've grown, I've also learned that great companies aren't just built on talent—they're built on trust. Learning how to understand people, recognize their strengths, and give them opportunities to succeed has become one of the most rewarding parts of leading NewSwivel.

Technology Meets Creativity

Before starting NewSwivel, I spent over ten years as a software developer. That experience has shaped everything we do.

From building our website and marketing systems to creating videos and automating client communication, technology allows us to spend less time on paperwork and more time focused on our clients.

We've invested heavily in professional Denon DJ equipment, lighting, sound systems, and production tools so every event meets the standard we've set for ourselves.

Behind the scenes, our scheduling, planning, and communication systems keep our entire team connected and organized, ensuring every event runs smoothly from the first inquiry to the last song of the night.

A Community That Built Us

No business succeeds alone.

Over the years we've been fortunate to build friendships with venue owners, photographers, wedding coordinators, neighboring businesses, and countless vendors throughout Michigan.

People like Debbie, a wedding coordinator in Northern Michigan, helped open doors and became a trusted friend. Venue managers who've welcomed us back year after year have shown us what quality service looks like from the other side of the event. Even our neighbors in our office building have shared advice about business, leadership, marketing, and growth.

Most importantly, our own team has continually exceeded every expectation I've had. Delegating events used to be difficult because I struggled to trust others with something I'd built from the ground up. Today, our DJs and photographers consistently deliver incredible experiences for our clients, allowing NewSwivel to grow without compromising what makes us special.

Looking Ahead

NewSwivel is evolving beyond an entertainment company.

Our next chapter is focused on education and community. We're building a DJ school designed to help aspiring DJs develop their skills, grow their confidence, and build careers in an industry we love.

We believe great DJs aren't just made by buying equipment—they're built through mentorship, experience, professionalism, and a genuine love for music.

Whether we're performing for a wedding, producing a corporate event, mentoring new DJs, or collaborating with local businesses throughout Grand Rapids, our mission remains the same:

Create incredible experiences. Build meaningful relationships. Leave every event better than we found it.

We're grateful to every client, vendor, teammate, family member, and friend who's helped shape NewSwivel into what it is today.

And we're just getting started.