The Secret Business of Nightclubs
120,124
Published 2024-04-06
Every city has nightclubs - social venues where people can mingle with strangers, dance with friends, and escape the monotony of life in an environment of darkness, music, and chaos. As businesses, all nightclubs face the same challenge every week. If you’re a club owner, how do you make your nightclub desirable? How can you make your nightclub pop on a regular Thursday, Friday, or Saturday without headliners?
The answer is promoters. Promoters are the invisible men and women who work tirelessly to turn clubs from slow, empty venues into packed, exciting destinations every week. Cities are defined by their nightlife and Chicago is home to some of the best clubs in the world.
In this Modern MBA exclusive, we’re diving deep into the secret world of nightclubs and club promoters. We’ll ride along with 3 of the city’s leading promoters in Derrick, Jay, and Eric, observe their hustle, and learn the strategies that they use to throw the hottest parties in Chicago.
Eric Boss: www.instagram.com/ericbosschicago/
Jay Birt: www.instagram.com/Kidj8y/
Derik Epling: www.instagram.com/Mr360amn/
🙏🏻 Thank you to William Sumner Noël for making this episode possible. If you're looking to go out in Chicago: www.instagram.com/Noeltookit
💬 Join the Modern MBA community: www.reddit.com/r/modernmba/
☕️ Support Modern MBA on Patreon: patreon.com/modernmba
0:00 Laws of Nightlife
1:39 Sponsor Break (Kajabi)
3:25 Principles of Promotion
12:51 Designed for Scale
23:27 Clubs Over Tab
All Comments (21)
-
Right now, Kajabi is offering a free 30-day trial to start your business if you go to kajabi.com/modernmba 0:00 Laws of Nightlife 1:39 Sponsor Break (Kajabi) 3:25 Principles of Promotion 12:51 Designed for Scale 23:27 Clubs Over Tables Eric Boss: www.instagram.com/ericbosschicago/ Jay Birt: www.instagram.com/Kidj8y/ Derik Epling: www.instagram.com/Mr360amn/ Thank you to William Sumner Noël for making this episode possible. If you're looking to go out in Chicago: www.instagram.com/Noeltookit
-
Thumbnail got me thinking it's a VICE video lol
-
Can’t wait for the wendover collab on the logistics of supply chain of girls to clubs lol
-
Damn Modern MBA pulling out the disclaimer for this one
-
The whole subsidizing women thing really gives new perspective to the saying "if the product is free, you are the product"
-
Jay is professional but Eric is a true craftsman
-
It was nice having you brother, you are welcome in the chi anytime ☝🏻
-
@ModernMBA Great video and awesome experience my guy. Glad you were able to see our world behind the scenes. Really appreciate working with you, thanks for everything! See you in May!
-
The professionalism from these promoters surprised me, but it really shouldn’t have. I’m sure the scummy ones get weeded out fast, while the ones who take it seriously make good money for years
-
Thanks for having me! Love working with you and plan on working with you in the future.
-
The club scene is so far removed from what I like. Going to a club is sounds like an absolute nightmare...but this video is so fascinating.
-
Loved this format! It’s not theoretical breakdowns and spreadsheets which is great on its own but this is on the ground and gives real perspective. And draws parallels to other businesses which is genius. This channel is doing the work for real! Would be interesting to look at the macro of nightlife as a business as the newer generation is reportedly not going out as much.
-
I actually LOVE this format. Seeing multiple different people and the ways that they work and accomplish the goals required by the industry in their own ways is so illuminating, and I really hope we get to see and meet more people this way. And kudos to everyone featured on their hard work and their future successes. :-)
-
What I was impressed with Eric's party was that the partygoers do not look like traditionally club going people. Their race and profiles seem to be out of normal crowds attracted to clubs, and his events expands the horizons for the people themselves and the club expands the clientele on behalf of the industry. Eric is really doing a phenomenal job, from what's shown in the video.
-
One of the most unique business case study. The quality is off charts.
-
I’ve watched nearly the entire Modern MBA catalogue, and this might just be the best video yet. Interesting topic, interesting angle—almost journalistic in nature. I’d love to see more deep-dive content like this!
-
Love to see Eric Boss getting his due. I’ve had the pleasure of DJing house and sushi a few times and the energy is always unmatched. He’s good people
-
I haven’t been in a night club in like 15 years but it’s so cool to learn more about how they operate. I always assumed they were sketchy and manipulative. But now I seeing that last promoter Derrick just trying to bring the party and help people have fun on a Wednesday night, I can tell it’s hard work and he takes pride in it.
-
Eric's parties seem so cool. If I wasn't introverted, a normal weekday 9-to-5 worker, and not anywhere close to Chicago, I'd check them out lol
-
I really love this particular episode because the industry isn't as transparent as others. Please make more similar videos about industries that operate and exist right under our noses!!
