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Rising Stars: Meet Max De Paula, Sasha Brens and Simon Mendoza of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Max De Paula, Sasha Brens and Simon Mendoza.

Hi Max, Sasha, & Simon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Amplified Entertainment began with a simple idea: making memories with music. That vision quickly became our motto. We aim to elevate events and make them unforgettable — hence the name, Amplified.

We’ve also built an incredible team who share the same values of love, respect, and integrity. We’re all passionate about what we do, and it’s been amazing to watch our company grow. Our team’s diversity is something we truly celebrate. Reflecting the multicultural vibrancy of Los Angeles, we have team members from all walks of life — Asian, Black, Latino, White — working together to create exceptional events that cater to the needs of every client. Diversity is not just part of who we are; it enriches everything we do.

We bring a unique flavor and energy to every event. It’s not just about the entertainment; it’s about the heart and soul we pour into each and every occasion. As young entrepreneurs thriving in a city built around entertainment, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve earned recognition as one of LA’s top entertainment companies, and our journey is just beginning.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Amplified Entertainment was founded in 2019, and when the pandemic hit the following year, we had to adapt quickly since in-person events were no longer an option. We transitioned many of our events online — hosting Zoom trivia, Zoom karaoke, and even Zoom happy hours. Our virtual happy hours became a hit, and before we knew it, people were reaching out to us to DJ their Zoom weddings, birthdays and even funerals.

DJing weddings online was a unique experience. We’d create a virtual grand entrance and set the vibe for the reception, engaging with sometimes 200+ people who were attending via Zoom. While it wasn’t the “ideal” wedding reception, it was heartwarming to see how we could bring together people from all around the world who couldn’t be there physically. It was truly an unforgettable experience.

As many companies struggled and closed during the pandemic, it actually created an opportunity for us. When things opened back up, people remembered us from those events, and we ended up gaining a whole new client base. Thanks to our virtual parties, people found us and then booked us for in-person events. It was a great way to stay relevant, keep the business afloat, and connect with people in a meaningful ways.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the heart of what we do, we specialize in customizing fun, engaging, and unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s a corporate event, a wedding or an intimate celebration, we’re more than just DJs and Photobooths. From breakdancers and stilt walkers to personalized trivia nights and a life size boom box, we offer many add ons to enhance your event.

What sets us apart is our ability to custom-tailor each event to the vibe of the crowd. We’ve had the pleasure of working on everything from 85th birthday celebrations to first-year smash cake parties for babies. We are known for our personable approach, adapting to each client’s needs, and creating one-of-a-kind epic experiences. For example, with over a thousand weddings under our belt, no two weddings are ever the same. Each couple brings something different to the table, and we take the time to understand their personalities and what makes them special. That’s how we can bring their love story to life through music and entertainment.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
One of our essential qualities is that we place a high value on ethical behavior and integrity. We’re incredibly proud of the fact that we always follow through on our promises. When we commit to creating an event for a client, we deliver — no exceptions. We were once hired to create a “paper party” aka “paper show,” something we had never done before. But we didn’t shy away from the challenge. We took the time to thoroughly research the materials and the concept. We spent hours cutting custom paper designs from scratch at our headquarters. In the end, we delivered exactly what the client asked for, and the party was a huge success.That’s what integrity is all about — doing whatever it takes to deliver on our promises and exceeding our clients’ expectations.

At the heart of our business is friendship and family . We have really talented individuals who love what they do and week after week deliver fun, engaging events throughout Los Angeles and the world. So book us for your next event and prepare to have an epic time with awesome people who enjoy their job.

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