Conversations with Richard Favela

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Favela.

Richard , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As far back as I can remember, music has always been a part of who I am. My journey began when I was just two years old, when my dad bought me my very first vinyl record: Thriller by Michael Jackson. According to my parents, I would listen to it and sing along all day long. Little did anyone know that this early love for music would eventually grow into a lifelong passion and career.

By the age of 10, I was already finding creative ways to bring my musical dreams to life. I remember taking apart a stereo and rearranging the pieces to make it look like a DJ setup. I even put together a makeshift lighting fixture using a flashlight mounted to a shiny piece of wood. With my homemade equipment, I DJed a small family gathering, proudly creating my own little version of a professional DJ experience.

My passion continued to grow in high school, when I met my friend Chris Torres. He had two turntables in his room, and we would spend hours practicing, experimenting, and learning the art of DJing. This was also when I began building my own vinyl record collection, which became an important part of my identity as a DJ.

After graduating from high school, I started working at Disneyland while pursuing my passion for music on the side. I began DJing fraternity parties for students at Cal State Fullerton, hauling two turntables, house speakers, and crates of vinyl records wherever the music took me.

Around that time, I heard about open DJ nights at Proof Bar in downtown Santa Ana. I started making appearances and sharing my skills with the local music community. While many DJs were transitioning to laptops and digital music, I was still spinning vinyl. That dedication to the old-school art of DJing helped me stand out.

One night, a friend I had met at Proof Bar asked me what my DJ name was. I didn’t have one. I was simply there for the love of music and had never really thought about it. Since I was one of the few DJs still spinning vinyl records and my name was Richard, someone came up with DJ Vinyl Riche. The name stuck, and I embraced it.

After some time, I took a break from performing and returned to experimenting with turntables in my room. Then one day, my dad asked me why I had stopped DJing and suggested we get back into it. He mentioned that a friend of his was having a party and needed a DJ. Without hesitation, my dad took the initiative and purchased a pair of CDJs from Amazon. He even helped convert a couple of household speakers into something resembling DJ speakers. Now married with two beautiful kids, Ricky and Victoria, we were back at it.

That opportunity opened the door to booking weddings and house parties. As I began taking on more events, I realized that if I wanted to turn my passion into a serious business, I needed to invest in professional equipment and elevate the experience I could offer my clients. I started purchasing proper DJ gear, reinvesting in the business, and going all in.

A major turning point came when my beautiful wife Tina asked me if I followed a DJ on Instagram named DJ Bebo. She encouraged me to reach out, learn from him, and see if I could shadow him at an event. I took her advice, contacted him, and was fortunate enough to receive a response.

I had the opportunity to shadow DJ Bebo and his brother, Fernando, at a wedding. I was amazed by their professionalism, the quality of their production, and the level of experience they brought to an event. I knew that was the level I wanted to reach.

What happened next changed my journey. After spending that day together and barely knowing me, DJ Bebo saw something in me and decided to bring me onto his team. I took that opportunity seriously, listened to his advice, and continued investing in myself and my business. I began adding uplighting, cloud effects, cold spark machines, CO₂ guns, photo booths, and other enhancements that could transform an ordinary event into an unforgettable experience.

Fast-forward to today, and what started with a two-year-old listening to Michael Jackson on vinyl has grown into something much bigger. I now have a large van branded with my company logos, company shirts, professional equipment, and the tools needed to bring the energy, atmosphere, and production that today’s events deserve.

I’ve also reached a point where I can collaborate with and send out other talented DJs to represent my company, allowing me to serve more clients while continuing to build the brand I’ve worked so hard to create.

Looking back, I’m reminded that this journey has never been just about music or equipment. It’s been about passion, family, mentorship, taking chances, and believing in myself even when I was just a kid building a DJ setup out of an old stereo and a flashlight.

My dad helped reignite the passion when I needed it most. My wife encouraged me to connect with someone who could help me grow. DJ Bebo gave me an opportunity to learn and take my business to the next level. Every chapter has played a part in getting me where I am today.

DJ Vinyl Riche is more than a DJ name. It’s the story of a lifelong passion turned into a business, built one record, one event, and one opportunity at a time.

And this is only the beginning.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. Having to learn how to not only control lighting and special effects but knowing how to read and control a is a challenge. Learning to have the ability to stand out from all other Djs in the same area has been tuff.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Customer service is what sets me apart from others. I believe that customer service is the most important part when someone is willing to invest and hire you for their special events. The pressure is always there but the need stay professional and deliver what they expect from you is where I come in as a professional DJ.

What does success mean to you?
Success in the Dj world to me is rocking a wedding and not dreading it once. Its never work or a job if its something you love to do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djvinylriche/