Had the pleasure of being interviewed by a good friend of mine who's entering the events / blogger world, Tawnia Evangelina:
Check out her new blog Socielle Firefly. I was honoured to be one of the first people she's featured. Find it below :)
If you’re familiar with Toronto’s Entertainment District, chances are that at some point you have heard the name Ken Bryan. Ken is a Party Promoter, Brand Marketer, Blogger, and “One of Toronto’s most Connected Nightlife Insiders”.
I’m not going to lie – when I first started to explore the King West party scene years ago, I had mixed reviews to say the least. As much as I love to dance, have a great time and connect with new people, I tend to steer away from anything or anyone pretentious.
Then along came Ken Bryan – a breath of fresh air in the Toronto nightlife industry, and a gem of a Gemini. For a while I so eloquently referred to him as the “anti-douchey club promoter”. (Sorry Ken)
Socielle Firefly is very excited to be featuring Ken Bryan On the Fly today because he has undeniably made a name for himself in Toronto, and has done it in the right way. Anyone who has met Ken Bryan can attest to the fact that he makes an incredible first impression and is good vibes from the start! He genuinely wants to see people happy, bring people together and put on the best event he possibly can. Socielle interviewed Ken to get a better sense of what has shaped him into becoming the man he is today, how heignited his spark and what has made his brand “glow” in such a competitive industry. Oh, and in true Ken fashion, this Q & A is real, raw and quite hilarious. Enjoy!
Quick 411:
· Ken Bryan Presents
· 4Tune - Lifestyle & Event Marketing Co.
· Enspire Events
· Roosevelt Room
Up Close & Personal - Q & A with Ken Bryan
Q: 12-yr-old Ken dreamed of being a:
Rocket scientist. Seriously. I wanted to be Tony Stark.
Q: What ignited your spark to get into the events/nightlife industry and start your own venture?
I almost died from congestive heart failure and was told by the doctor to find something else to do. I was a bouncer at the time so it naturally lead me to becoming a host since I already knew so many people.
Q: What motivates you?
Making people happy. I always imagine the great time everyone will be having at my events. Whether they are interacting with brands or each other at a club.
Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
Will Smith. He fought back from bankruptcy to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world and he’s very intelligent and spiritual. He’s self-made in every way.
Q: What was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Pursuing my passions. I am DNA incompatible with settling. I want to be happy and make an impact on the world. Hard to do that chained to a desk.
Q: What was your moment of clarity/ the biggest turning point in your life?
When I was given three days to live and only had two regrets in life up until that point. I think I’ve been lucky in that I’ve never really “wanted” for anything other than the basics: love and happiness. I live my life truthfully and that gives me clarity of purpose.
Q: What is the biggest misconception about Ken Bryan?
That my life is more exciting than it actually is, that I get laid more than I actually do… and that I’m not actuallysuper shy and this is all just one big exercise in overcompensation.
Q: How have you dealt with failure in the past and how have you overcome it?
I deal with failure every day. It’s an issue for me for sure, but I’m learning to not let success get to my head orfailure to my heart. :)
Q: What do you most attribute to your success? How do you set yourself apart in Toronto?
Well, part of it is being blessed. I’m a creative person and that comes from God. The other part is genuinely caring about people and the experience they are having at my events. I think that authenticity comes through. You’re only as good as your last party as far as I’m concerned.
Q: Favourite aspect about Toronto/ your source of inspiration in the city?
Every single neighborhood and the stories they tell. Seriously. I enjoy just walking around places and looking at people, imagining their lives…
Q: What has been one of your greatest/most memorable moments since launching your career?
Taking care of the Suicide Squad when they were in Toronto. It was absolutely surreal getting to know all of them. So many little moments that add up to big things. Hanging in the trailers with Margot Robbie and her assistant, sharing a cab with Cara DeLevigne, taking Will Smith to Cabana and hanging with him and his dad on set, partying with his son. Setting up dinner resos for them, introducing them to the good people of Toronto… the whole experience was magical.
Q: If you were to do (some venture) again, what would you do differently?
Choose better business partners. (lol)
Q: Any other hobbies/fun facts about you we may not know about?
I have a Level 100 Blood Elf Monk in World Of Warcraft.
Final Q: If you could rewind the clock 10 years, what advice would you give yourself?
Believe in yourself more, love yourself more and don’t eat that chicken you’re gonna leave in the fridge in February 2016. *****
xoxo your Socielle Firefly,
Tawnia