Ross Friedman's business venture, initially a side hustle, flourished in just 2.5 months to generate $100,000. Despite its humble beginnings in Boston, Massachusetts, this venture is on track for a projected $2.5 million revenue by 2025.
Ross Friedman, a 24-year-old entrepreneur from Boston, found personal joy in making others happy through his business, Slacker Media Group. Established in 2016 when he was just 16 years old, Slacker Media Group has grown from a part-time, student-run venture into a successful full-time business, generating multimillion-dollar revenue.
Friedman's business, which curates unique, attendee-focused live music and entertainment experiences at the intersection of music, lifestyle, and culture, has brought in over 250,000 attendees to their events. The company is on track to do nearly $2.5 million in revenue across over 150 events this year, with over $1 million already generated year-to-date.
Identifying an Underserved Niche
Starting with teen nights, Friedman saw an untapped local demand and created events tailored for that audience. This strategic move helped him carve out a niche in the market and set the foundation for Slacker Media Group's success.
Innovating Event Experiences
Slacker Media Group positions itself not just as an event promoter but as an event curator, assembling teams of touring DJs, production designers, and marketers to craft immersive, memorable experiences. This differentiates their events from traditional nightlife, setting them apart in the competitive market.
Leveraging Nostalgia and Technology
Friedman developed two national touring brands—It’s A 2000s Party, which taps into early millennial nostalgia and drew almost 50,000 attendees across 50 cities, and Sploinky Rave, an EDM-focused experience incorporating cutting-edge tech like real-time hologram visuals debuted at AREA15 in Las Vegas.
Scaling Progressively
Starting as a side project during high school and college, Friedman gradually increased focus and professionalized operations, transforming the venture into a business with multimillion-dollar sales. He credits his success to his customer experience focus, creative branding, and technological innovation.
Building Multidisciplinary Teams
Using national DJ tours, production, and marketing expertise ensures high-quality and innovative events, allowing Slacker Media Group to stand out in the crowded live events market.
Overcoming Challenges
The pandemic presented a significant challenge for Friedman's business. However, he shifted gears and focused on learning about social media, audience growth, and brand-building. He also launched the Slacker University network, a series of targeted Instagram pages mixing school-specific content with Slacker content, to have a built-in audience to target for events once the world opened up.
Slacker Media Group saw consistent revenue right after the pandemic, with over $100,000 made in only two and a half months in fall 2021. This resilience and adaptability are testament to Friedman's entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to his business.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Friedman's best piece of business advice is to start a to-do list to organize thoughts, execute ideas, and gain a sense of satisfaction. He also wishes he had learned to hire earlier, as he was the only person working on the project full-time for most of his career.
In a Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A, Friedman shares more insights about his journey, offering inspiration and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. His story is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and innovation in achieving business success.
- Ross Friedman, the 24-year-old entrepreneur from Boston, saw an opportunity in a local, underserved niche with his youth-focused events through Slacker Media Group.
- Slacker Media Group sets itself apart in the event industry by not only promoting but curating unique, attendee-centric live music and entertainment experiences.
- With a focus on innovation, Friedman developed two national touring brands, It’s A 2000s Party and Sploinky Rave, incorporating technology like real-time hologram visuals to create immersive experiences.
- Starting as a side project, Slacker Media Group grew from a student-run venture to a million-dollar generating business through relentless focus, professionalization, and a customer experience-centric approach.
- Multidisciplinary teams of touring DJs, production designers, and marketers work together to deliver high-quality and memorable experiences, setting the company apart from competitors in the live events market.
- The pandemic presented challenges for Slacker Media Group, prompting Friedman to learn about social media, audience growth, and brand-building, leading to a $100,000 revenue surge in fall 2021.
- In terms of management, Friedman advises aspiring entrepreneurs to create a to-do list to maintain organization, structure ideas, and find satisfaction in achievements.
- He also stresses the importance of hiring early to lighten workloads and foster growth within a startup environment.
- Freidman's resilience, adaptability, and success story serve as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing the power of hard work and innovation in the realm of entrepreneurship and small-business careers, including real-estate and investing.
