Meet Suzette Richardson | CEO & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Suzette Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Suzette, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from New Orleans Louisiana, currently residing in Houston Texas since hurricane Katrina. My background impacts every decision that I make today. I’m a recovering addict (11 year, 2 months and 6 days clean from all mind and mood altering substances), I know what it feels like to be at the very bottom of the barrel. I know what it feels like to be lost within yourself…within the world. I know what it feels like to be hungry…to make a decision to choose drugs over feeding myself. I know that pain…that hurt. Because I know these feelings, it has been my hearts desire to give back…to do service work…to help others.

Mu mom raised me to never laugh at those that are less fortunate than myself. Even during my using years, I never looked down on anyone…no matter who they were, what their background or nationality. When I changed my life 11 years ago, i had the need…the desire to help people that wasn’t in a situation to help themselves…I just didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I had a change in life…a ruff patch that forced me to get an extra income… I started the DJ business. 2 years into the DJ business, the light came on and JRE Mobile Outreach was created. With the use of my funds, my best friend and few donations we feed 50 homeless men and women December 26, 2018. From that moment on, every year, I make it my priority to feed the homeless. We’ve added the mid year as well, when we give out bag lunches and bottled water as well.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I would like to say that what sets me apart from others is my genuine love for people and my passion for the business I have. I have a big heart…a good heart that don’t get lost on the surface. I’m dependable and reliable. Proud is a world that I use lightly. To know my story is to understand why I can’t afford that luxury. I am, However very grateful. I look for ways to set myself apart…to brand myself differently. People tell me all the time:” i would not do this, or do that”, “why are you doing that?’. I do that because I have a certain way that i brand my business that sets me apart from everyone else. Yes, I spend a lot of money but I give my customers what they pay for…an upgraded experience at an affordable price.

My road to becoming a small business owner has not been easy. I was forced into bringing in a second income to maintain my bills. Music has always been a love of my life, so I decided to take all the money I had saved, maxed out my credit cards and invested in some dj equipment. JRE Mobile DJ’S was born, then I added mobile hookahs about a 1 year later. For the first 2 years things ran pretty smoothly…it just took off. By the 3rd year, I was hitting some rough spots with the DJ and hookah business, while maintaining a full time job as traffic control technician. In my 3rd year, I formed JRE Mobile Outreach, I saw a need to help someone else while helping myself (to stay busy). I have been on the verge of losing everything i have several times in the 5 years that I’ve had my business. It was October of 2020 I dj”ed a wedding for some very close friends of mine..I screwed the music up really bad. That was a result of me focusing more on my day job than my DJ business. I still feel the after affects of that. When that happened, I made my decision to step out on faith.I resigned from my day job to focus on my businesses.

I have had some stumbling blocks but none that i would complain about. None that were too hard to overcome. God has put the right people in my path, have opened the right doors and made the pathway for me. I just did the foot work. Whatever was in front of me at that moment that’s what I did (if it felt like the right thing to do)

As a business owner I have learned that not everyone is like me. Everyone don’t have the heart, love and compassion that I have. I have learned that Growth is a continuing process. It’s not easy but it’s worth it all. That no matter what life throws at me, I get up and keep trying. Every no is one step closer to my yes. There will be some bad days, bad people and bad situations along the way…BUT… I have learned some core values in another entity: trust the process, one day at a time, God could and would if he were sought, how important is it, practice honesty and integrity and keep GOD first.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Believe it or not, I’m really an introvert. I love my solitude, but when I do get out, it is almost, in most cases private gatherings that friends and associates have. I have no one particular club I go to, when I do go. I just love music, a fun cozy relaxing vibe. I am currently located within The Corner Bar and Lounge 7 days a week…thats where they would have to go. lol. For eating, I love steaks and seafood, I hop around everywhere, lol. I’m spontaneous and sometimes unpredictable. I don’t have a 1 favorite spot, we’re going everywhere.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Next to God himself, Lanisha Jiles, Kimberlin Lanier, my mom, and Cassundra Black, have encouraged me when I felt overwhelmed…when i felt like it was too much…when fear would crop up, when i cried…they have been my backbone, my support, my mentors, my eyes and ears, my to go to for all most anything. I am really grateful to have them in my life. They each have played a part in who I am, what I do, how I do it and help me stay focused.

Website: www.jrecompanyllc.com | www.iamdjque.com | www.mobileoutreach.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jremobiledjs | www.instagram.com/jremobileoutreach

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JreMobileDjs

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jremobiledj | www.facebook.com/jremobileoutreach