For many individuals and business owners, the new year usually opens up new opportunities. Especially in the Coachella Valley; January marks the unofficial start to “the season.” Entrepreneurs are usually busy placing ads in local newspapers and online while others are creating radio and TV commercials. I have found that one of the most effective ways to promote one’s business is the old fashion method of handing someone a business card and introducing yourself and your company at a mixer. Verbally sharing your passion for what you do for a living with a prospective client or with another industry professional that may refer your business to someone else, can sometimes be your best return on investment (keeping in mind most mixers cost $5 to $10.)
Just over a year old, the Coachella Valley DJ Association is a group of local DJs and entertainers who meet each month to network and explore local venues. The mixers are held on the last Wednesday of the month and usually run from 5:30 to 7:30. The CVDJA has recently opened the mixers up to all event professionals who work in the hospitality and event industry to broaden the networking. Aside from several business cards, you might also want to bring your appetite to sample the complimentary appetizers which are usually sponsored by the host venue and can sometimes turn into a tasty dinner. The DJ Association mixers also include a chance to win raffle prizes which are donated by industry professionals and can definitely be worth your while.
This month the CVDJA mixer will take place January 30, 2013 at the ShareKitchen (formally Buddy Greco’s Dinner Club) located at 68805 E Palm Canyon Dr in Cathedral City (between Date Palm Dr. and Cathedral Canyon Drive.) An intimate venue, ShareKitchen can comfortably seat 36 guests in the dining room, 12 at the bar and around 75 when standing for a cocktail-type party.
The original brain child of ShareKitchen is Executive Director Angela Ganus, who found herself a few years ago in need of kitchen space to cater an event. Eventually with the help of longtime friend Haddon Libby, the project took shape opening in September of last year. More than just an affordable kitchen for rent by the hour, ShareKitchen is a small business development center focused exclusively on building profitable, sustainable food businesses through their incubation program.
The ShareKitchen venue is available to rent for all “Petite Events and Private Parties” and can either be booked with one of their ShareKitchen caterers or on a B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Caterer) basis. The venue can be rented furnished or unfurnished. ShareKitchen also has a Beer and Wine License.
If you come to the CVDJA mixer January 30th, you can also learn more about the series of low cost workshops ShareKitchen will be offering in the future ($10-$15 per workshop.) Chad Gardner of Dash and a Handful Catering will be providing the appetizers for the evening along with James Rosen of Biscotti da Giacomo who will provide samples of his bite size but mouth-watering biscotti.
Anyone who is interested in more information on ShareKitchen can contact Angle at: angela@sharekitchen.org or call (760) 459-4259. If you would like to know more about the Coachella Valley DJ Association, call Craig Michaels at: (760) 619-3276.
Written By: Craig Michaels
Musical Affair Entertainment

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