Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianne Matsuura.
Marianne, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started DJing around Los Angeles in 2008. After DJing for a few years, I found myself frustrated playing music in the bar scene. I wanted to expand somehow and spread my love of music to a bigger and more diverse audience. That’s when the idea of an ice cream truck with a built in DJ booth came to me. The idea and its image was planted in my head so vividly. I became obsessed with the idea and I just knew I had to create it. It took a year of hard work and planning and in 2012 I launched Sweet Beats as LA’s first DJ ice cream truck.
Today Sweet Beats has evolved quite a bit. We no longer sell ice cream and we specialize in mobile DJ services for public outdoor events. One of my proudest moments for Sweet Beats was playing at Dodger stadium for a pre game event on top of a custom built stage for the truck. We got to spread joy to thousands of fans in a sea of blue. Growing up in LA and being a Dodger fan, it was a blessing and an amazing experience to give back to the community in this way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. It took many years of learning and evolving through trial and error. One of the challenges we faced was changing from a DJ ice cream truck to solely a DJ truck. Selling ice cream was more difficult than I initially expected. We first started out as if we were a food truck, parking on random streets and trying to attract a crowd with our music and sell our ice cream. People loved us, but they would hang out by the truck just listening to music and did not buy anything. We worked long hours only to come home with less than $30 profit. I knew this would not be sustainable.
It was tough letting go of the ice cream aspect of the business but in the long run it’s been the right choice. Since we now focus on our DJ services, we’re able to play for larger audiences like at festivals and block parties. Selling ice cream would have limited us to being parked at sidewalks and sound ordinances.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sweet Beats – what should we know?
Sweet Beats provides DJ services for any type of event. We specialize in DJ services through our vintage DJ truck, a 1957 Ford step-van retrofitted with a full sound system and DJ booth. What sets us apart is that we like to mix the modern with the new. Although our truck is retrofitted in a modern way, we also curate our music to bring classic favorites with new and modern sounds. What I am most proud of as a company is the joy and inspiration we bring to others. When people see this little vintage DJ truck blasting music, they get lit up with joy. It’s really why we do what we do.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
We have the most amazing team of DJ’s and MC’s.
DJ Rytoast has been my biggest partner in Sweet Beats for the past 5+ years. She’s been instrumental in creating the Sweet Beats brand and also expanding the company in every way.
Mudlux and DJ Josh Solis are two team members responsible for expanding our client base and bringing our level of professionalism to where it currently is.
DJ La Flaca Lee, our newest Sweet Beats team member, brings us energy, hip hop style and sensual sounds through her music.
Contact Info:
- Website: sweetbeatsLA.com
- Phone: 310-806-2697
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: sweetbeatsLA
- Facebook: sweetbeatsLA
- Twitter: sweetbeatsLA
Image Credit:
Jester Jungco, Jason Woolway, Jamais Vu
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