Meet Tyrone Apostol | DJ/EMCEE Business owner

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

Hi TYRONE, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from the Valley, Van Nuys to be exact, and my love for music started at a very young age. It began with me borrowing my brother’s Walkman while he was away at school, listening to all his cassettes. Every morning, as soon as he left, I’d run to his room, pop in a tape, put on the headphones, and instantly feel joy. Music was always playing in my life—before school, after school, or anytime I was in the car. The station didn’t matter; I just loved the way music made me feel.

Fast forward to college at UCI, I was the one rolling up anywhere with my windows down and music blasting through my Alpine speakers, playing mixes from CAS mix shows. I loved the bass and transitions in those mixes—they made me feel alive. That passion deepened when my brother’s friend Paolo invited me to check out his turntables and mixer. The moment I touched a record, did baby scratches, and tried mixing songs, I was hooked. I picked up an extra job just to afford my own set of turntables, a mixer, and a laptop. Luckily, Paolo upgraded his equipment, and I ended up buying his old set. From that moment, I was all in—skipping classes to practice DJing every day, teaching myself through trial and error. Eventually, the hard work paid off. I started noticing patterns in music, counting beats, and mastering transitions.

My first public performance was a 10-minute set at a club called Incahoots, thanks to a DJ friend who gave me the opportunity. I was so nervous—chain-smoking outside the club, sick to my stomach—but once I got on, the nerves disappeared after the first transition. Everything went smoothly until the needles got dirty, and the sound quality suffered. I panicked, but my friend stepped in to clean them, and I learned a critical lesson: DJing is about more than spinning songs; it’s about knowing your equipment and troubleshooting under pressure. That night fueled me to not only improve my mixing but also learn the technical side of DJing.

I began co-DJing events until I was confident enough to perform alone. My first solo gig was at a Hollywood bar called Cuba Libre, thanks to my friend Ernest. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. What was supposed to be a “small, chill bar” turned out to be a full-fledged Hollywood hotspot, complete with security, red ropes, and stanchions. Terrified but determined, I went on. That night, I earned my first residency, and from there, I started playing more and more club events until I graduated and moved to Chicago.

How Chicago Changed Me

Chicago marked a new chapter in my DJ career. A month after moving in with my brother, I landed my first gig through his friends, who were event promoters. The event, Green Gala, gave me a chance to introduce Chicago to an LA sound—hip-hop, club anthems, and mashups, which weren’t common in the Chicago scene. Midway through my set, the security guard who I’d spoken to earlier came over to tell me he was impressed by my vibe. His encouragement and the energy of the crowd gave me a boost. That gig opened the door to more events, including my largest show yet—a Matzo Bash at Excalibur for 1,500 people.

While in Chicago, I worked at Japanais, a fine dining restaurant, as Maître D and assistant lounge manager. This role taught me leadership, attention to detail, and the importance of providing an exceptional customer experience—lessons I apply to my business today. As a DJ, I see myself as a chef, crafting a perfect dish for my audience. The songs are the ingredients, and the transitions are the spices. A poorly chosen track can ruin the vibe, but the right mix can elevate the entire experience. My residency at Japanais introduced me to house music, which became my signature style, blending progressive house, electro house, hip-hop mashups, and top 40.

Despite my success, I knew DJing alone wasn’t sustainable, so I went back to school for Nuclear Medicine. DJing paid for my education, but it was exhausting balancing full-time work, school, and gigs. My weekends were relentless: hospital shifts during the day, DJing until the early morning, and back to the hospital with little sleep. I was burnt out, but I couldn’t let go of DJing.

Returning to LA and Building a Business

That didn’t last long. Three months after returning home, a friend asked me to DJ his wedding. I agreed, planning to buy equipment and return it afterward. But at that wedding, two guests asked for my card, leading to more bookings. Before I knew it, I was back in business, this time building something sustainable. At first, I was a one-man show—setting up, performing, and breaking down. That changed when I met my wife Sasha. She started helping with setup, breakdown, and even wedding coordination. When clients asked about photo booths, we saw an opportunity. My wife launched That’s My Girl Photo Booth, specializing in open-air and 360 photo booths. Combining her photo booth services with my DJ/MC work, we created TMG Events—a one-stop shop for events.

Today, we’re both full-time healthcare workers and business owners with weekend events. We love what we do and cherish the journey that has brought us to where we are today-and continues to propel us forward. My music style reflects my journey: West Coast hip-hop blended with Chicago house, sprinkled with top 40 and mashups. One client’s review perfectly sums up our approach: “He will work with you tirelessly to make your wedding special.” I love weddings because they’re more challenging and rewarding than clubs. A wedding is like a movie, and I provide the soundtrack. Every song matters, setting the mood for every scene. It’s about creating a journey that resonates with every guest, regardless of their age or musical taste. The greatest reward comes at the end of the night, when clients and guests thank me for making their day unforgettable. Knowing I’ve played a part in such a special moment is what fuels my passion and keeps me doing what I love.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are TMG Events, a husband-and-wife team providing DJ, MC and photo booth services for all types of events. What sets us apart is our unwavering passion, attention to detail, and genuine care for our clients. While balancing full-time healthcare careers, we dedicate our weekends to creating unforgettable experiences. Our motto is simple: We set the vibes, you live it up, and We make the memories last forever.

Our journey has been fueled entirely by the trust and referrals of our clients. We’ve been fortunate to build our business organically, one relationship at a time. We truly love and appreciate each client that has come our way. In a competitive industry filled with companies investing heavily in marketing and large teams, we stand pout by focusing on personal connections and delivering exceptional service. As a small yet efficient team of two, we are proud of the impact we make on each and every event.

Running a business like ours is not without challenges. Theres no certainty, and competition is fierce. But we’ve learned that even as a small business, we can create a big impact. Time and again, clients have chosen us over well-known names because of the care, dedication, and the magic we bring to their events. One of the greatest lessons we’ve learned is to never doubt our worth= every event is an opportunity to shine, no matter the size of our business.

At TMG Events, we understand the perspective of both clients and vendors. This understanding drives us to work tirelessly, pay attention to the smallest details, and go above and beyond expectations. We know how important it is to trust your vendors, and we never take that trust for granted. Our mission is to make every event as magical and memorable as possible because we truly care about our clients and their special moments.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Our first stop for breakfast/ brunch will have to be at Cici’s Cafe in Tarzana. Their green tea Tiramisu is off the chain!! Everything from their menu is definitely a hit! After that we would check out West Field Topanga mall / Topanga Social, the Americana in Glendale, the Grove in LA, and lastly Universal City Walk.. For Dinner, we have Bavel, Yangban, Providence, and Republique.

After dinner, we’d head over to The Famous Bar in Glendale. With its new ownership, the drinks and vibes are absolutely immaculate. You will absolutely fall in love with the staff and their hospitality. To end the night, we’d make our way to Verdugo Bar, a local gem with a spacious outdoor beer garden, a stellar craft beer lineup and a newly opened pizza joint (Park Pizza) across the street that delivers fresh pies right to your table. Amazing staff as well, such a fun and chill environment to top off your night with some drinks and snacks.

If I wasn’t showing my best friend around that weekend, you’d likely find me Djing a set at the Famous or Verdugo Bar. And yes, I’d still go there even if I wasn’t working-they’re just that good!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I would like to thank God; without Him, none of this is possible. Thank you for always guiding us in the right direction and connecting us with the right people. We are truly blessed to have met such wonderful clients, vendors, and friends. I would like to Shoutout my wife, Sasha. You are the heart of our success and the force that drives me to strive for greatness and deliver the best. Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today or the people we’ve become. Your unwavering love and support inspire me every day. Together, we can move mountains and make dreams a reality. I would like to Shoutout my brother Theo! Thank you for the brotherly love and support you always show. Thank you for your constructive criticism and excitement. You’re my right hand man when it comes to bouncing ideas and channeling my creativity. I deeply appreciate your honest, unbiased feedback and the way you thoughtfully present possible scenarios- both the best and the worst- which helps me stay prepared for anything. Your influence, especially with music, has been monumental. My style and taste are a true reflection of you, for that, I am endlessly grateful. Shout out to Ernest Tamayo, for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. For introducing me to my first solo gig in Hollywood, which became the stepping stone to my residencies, I am forever grateful. Thank you Ingrid from Grand Entrance Affairs, truly one of the best weddings planners to work with always putting clients first and making their dreams into reality. A Special shoutout to Janey Pakpahan Photography, your work is truly priceless, breathtaking and unforgettable. You are undeniably one of the best photographers n the industry, and it’s always a pleasure to collaborate with you. Your ability to capture picture-perfect moments, combined with you fun and cheerful interactions with guests, makes you an absolute gem. Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to all of our clients. It has been an absolute honor to be part of your special days and events. We deeply value and cherish each of you and the connections we’ve built along the way. Your love, support, and trust- especially through your referrals- mean the world to us and continue to drive our business. From clients to friends, and now family, it has been a privilege to work with you. Each and every one of you holds a special place in our hearts, and we are forever grateful.

Website: tmgeventsla.com thatsmygirlphotobooth.com

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