Windy city workforce

This department spotlights a relatively recent addition to the workforce, focusing on the person’s educational or working background, daily responsibilities, challenges, passions, frustrations and outlook for his or her future in the field.

Name: Arman Razavi
Age: 40
Company: Music 101 / Midnight Oil Agency
www.music-101.com
Title: Owner, promoter
College Path: Bachelor’s degree in television and film production from Columbia

How you ended up here: I moved to the U.S. when I was 17, and by accident I ended up in Chicago. It was summer time, and the city was gorgeous, so I decided to stay. Little did I know the winters are brutal here!

How long you’ve been at it: I’ve been working in the nightlife industry for 22 years — for eight of those, I owned Mad Bar in Wicker Park, and for the last six years, I’ve had my promotional company.

Who you answer to, if anyone: I don’t have a boss, but that’s not to say I don’t have to answer to the people who come to my events!

Hours you expect to be at work: My work never stops. I don’t have set hours. I could be working from 8:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the morning the next day.

Breakdown of what people anticipate from you: I think people work hard all day long, and at the end of the day, they look to relax and enjoy some entertainment before they have to go back to work the next day. I provide that. Think of my job as the release valve for society. People come to my events because I give them a good environment consistently where they can forget about the stresses of the day.

What your friends assume you do all day: Most of them think I have the easiest job in the world. Someone should make a reality show about my life. It is no walk in the park. But I feel lucky since I do what I love and I get paid for it.

Best perk: Come on, take a guess!!!

From a party and music perspective, Chicago is… a little behind the times. We have great artists in this city who have to leave town to make a name for themselves. We have some of the most innovative pools of talent here. But most of the population is stuck in what is being played on the radio, which has not changed since the early ’90s! Step outside the box, try something new. You just might like it.

I know it’s a good day when... I see the crowd happy, smiling, drinking and dancing.

Things can get tense when... moderation goes out the window. Too much of anything is not good. Well, maybe except money!

I have trouble dealing with… people who live in a big city and constantly want to complain about everything. Those who think their rights override everyone else’s. If you want the quiet life, move to a ranch in Texas. Don’t try to remake Chicago in your own image. This might be the Midwest, but it is definitely not Iowa City.

What are most people looking for when planning a party? Being in the right venue is always the most important thing. Somewhere where the service is good and the guests are treated politely. Music is another factor. Most of the venues in Chicago offer the same kind of music. So people tend to get picky about which venue has the right music. Lastly, the vibe. Bottle service people look for where they can see and be seen. The dancing crowd looks for the best sound system and dance floors. Sport fanatics look for the biggest TV screens. It all depends what you’re into.

What might you change if givin the chance? I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been a great life with all of its ups and downs. I’ve done more in my life than any five people combined and gained a lot of experience. I’m thankful for that.

One of my best events recently was… I always enjoy my boat parties in the summer. A 4th of July boat party is by far one of my favorites. I like taking people out of the usual indoor surroundings. I want to own an outdoor club. There is nothing like dancing under the stars.

One of my favorite up-and-coming bars or clubs I’ve come across recently is… Vain. They just opened up last week at 2354 N. Clybourn. It’s a tri-level club with a 30-foot waterfall. I’m taking over their promotions, and I’m pretty excited about it. I love new venues. They always exude a sense of adventure.

Where can you go from here? The sky is the limit. We are working on starting events in other cities and countries. I’m also itching about getting my own venue going.

Why you have a smile when you come to work: How can I not? My job is to create memories for people. Things they will remember 10 years down the road. I know married couples that met at my events. If you had a job like that, you would smile too.

Advice for joining the field: It’s a hard job, it is long hours, hard on relationships and a whole of lot of politics. If you don’t have good people skills, experience, organization and a thick skin, stick to your day job. If you want to learn the business though, there is no better way than just doing it. They don’t teach this stuff in school.

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