Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Cook.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been drawn to music, entertainment, and connecting with people. I started performing as a guitarist and singer when I was 17, playing venues around San Diego, and eventually spent more than a decade working in radio and broadcasting. That experience taught me a lot about music, production, timing, and most importantly, how to connect with an audience.
In 2004, I started TNT Entertainment. What began as a DJ business grew largely through word of mouth, referrals, and relationships I built with couples, venues, and other event professionals throughout San Diego and Temecula. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to DJ more than 1,000 weddings and events, and TNT has grown into a full-service entertainment company offering DJ/MC services, photo booths, lighting, ceremony audio, and more. We’ve also been fortunate to earn hundreds of five-star reviews, which is something I’m incredibly proud of because it reflects the experience we try to give every client.
More recently, I added another chapter to my career by becoming a Realtor. At first, DJing and real estate might seem like completely different worlds, but I’ve found that they have a lot in common. Both are relationship-driven businesses where communication, trust, preparation, and understanding people really matter.
I’m San Diego born and raised, so being able to build businesses and serve people in the community I grew up in has been especially rewarding. My path definitely hasn’t been a straight line, but every part of it—from playing in bands, to radio, to weddings, to real estate—has helped shape where I am today. I still love what I do, and I’m excited to keep building, creating, and seeing where the next chapter takes me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
answer this question for me. Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
I’ve always been drawn to music, entertainment, and connecting with people. I started performing as a guitarist and singer when I was 17, playing venues around San Diego, and eventually spent more than a decade working in radio and broadcasting. That experience taught me a lot about music, production, timing, and most importantly, how to connect with an audience.
In 2004, I started TNT Entertainment. What began as a DJ business grew largely through word of mouth, referrals, and relationships I built with couples, venues, and other event professionals throughout San Diego and Temecula. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to DJ more than 1,000 weddings and events, and TNT has grown into a full-service entertainment company offering DJ/MC services, photo booths, lighting, ceremony audio, and more. We’ve also been fortunate to earn hundreds of five-star reviews, which is something I’m incredibly proud of because it reflects the experience we try to give every client.
More recently, I added another chapter to my career by becoming a Realtor. At first, DJing and real estate might seem like completely different worlds, but I’ve found that they have a lot in common. Both are relationship-driven businesses where communication, trust, preparation, and understanding people really matter.
I’m San Diego born and raised, so being able to build businesses and serve people in the community I grew up in has been especially rewarding. My path definitely hasn’t been a straight line, but every part of it—from playing in bands, to radio, to weddings, to real estate—has helped shape where I am today. I still love what I do, and I’m excited to keep building, creating, and seeing where the next chapter takes me.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like most business owners, I’ve had to learn a lot through experience. When I started TNT Entertainment, I knew music and entertainment, but I also had to learn the business side—marketing, sales, customer service, managing expenses, building relationships, and creating a reputation people could trust.
The entertainment industry can also be unpredictable. There are busy seasons and slow seasons, changing trends, increased competition, and situations that are completely outside of your control. Building a business that lasts more than 20 years has meant constantly adapting while still staying true to what made people want to work with us in the first place.
Another challenge has been balancing everything. I’ve spent years working events on nights and weekends while also being a husband, a dad, and pursuing other opportunities. More recently, getting into real estate meant essentially becoming a beginner again in a completely different industry. That has been humbling, but it has also pushed me to grow.
There have definitely been setbacks, stressful periods, and times when I questioned whether I was heading in the right direction. But I think those experiences are also what made me better at what I do. I’ve learned that consistency, relationships, reputation, and simply showing up for people go a long way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always been drawn to music, entertainment, and connecting with people. I started performing as a guitarist and singer when I was 17, playing venues around San Diego, and eventually spent more than a decade working in radio and broadcasting. That experience taught me a lot about music, production, timing, and most importantly, how to connect with an audience.
In 2004, I started TNT Entertainment. What began as a DJ business grew largely through word of mouth, referrals, and relationships I built with couples, venues, and other event professionals throughout San Diego and Temecula. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to DJ more than 1,000 weddings and events, and TNT has grown into a full-service entertainment company offering DJ/MC services, photo booths, lighting, ceremony audio, and more. We’ve also been fortunate to earn hundreds of five-star reviews, which is something I’m incredibly proud of because it reflects the experience we try to give every client.
More recently, I added another chapter to my career by becoming a Realtor. At first, DJing and real estate might seem like completely different worlds, but I’ve found that they have a lot in common. Both are relationship-driven businesses where communication, trust, preparation, and understanding people really matter.
I’m San Diego born and raised, so being able to build businesses and serve people in the community I grew up in has been especially rewarding. My path definitely hasn’t been a straight line, but every part of it—from playing in bands, to radio, to weddings, to real estate—has helped shape where I am today. I still love what I do, and I’m excited to keep building, creating, and seeing where the next chapter takes me.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like most business owners, I’ve had to learn a lot through experience. When I started TNT Entertainment, I knew music and entertainment, but I also had to learn the business side—marketing, sales, customer service, managing expenses, building relationships, and creating a reputation people could trust.
The entertainment industry can also be unpredictable. There are busy seasons and slow seasons, changing trends, increased competition, and situations that are completely outside of your control. Building a business that lasts more than 20 years has meant constantly adapting while still staying true to what made people want to work with us in the first place.
Another challenge has been balancing everything. I’ve spent years working events on nights and weekends while also being a husband, a dad, and pursuing other opportunities. More recently, getting into real estate meant essentially becoming a beginner again in a completely different industry. That has been humbling, but it has also pushed me to grow.
There have definitely been setbacks, stressful periods, and times when I questioned whether I was heading in the right direction. But I think those experiences are also what made me better at what I do. I’ve learned that consistency, relationships, reputation, and simply showing up for people go a long way.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
My work really centers around people, relationships, and creating great experiences. The biggest part of that has been TNT Entertainment, the DJ and event entertainment company I started in 2004. We specialize in weddings, corporate events, private parties, DJ/MC services, ceremony sound, lighting, and photo booths throughout San Diego and Temecula.
I’ve personally DJed more than 1,000 weddings and events, and I think what we’ve become known for is being professional without feeling overly scripted or generic. Every crowd is different, so I’ve always believed a great DJ has to be able to read the room, understand the couple or client, and create an atmosphere that feels natural to them. My background in radio, live music, and production has also given me a different perspective on how to communicate with a crowd and keep an event moving.
What I’m most proud of is the reputation we’ve built over more than 20 years. Having hundreds of five-star reviews and seeing past clients continue to recommend us to their friends and family means a lot to me. In an industry where there are plenty of options, earning someone’s trust—and then delivering an experience they remember for years—is probably the biggest compliment we can receive.
I’m also a Realtor, which has become another important part of my work. Real estate gives me another opportunity to help people through some of the biggest moments in their lives. Whether someone is planning their wedding or buying or selling a home, I approach it in a similar way: listen first, communicate clearly, be prepared, and make the process as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
I think what sets me apart most is experience combined with personality. I’ve never wanted to be the person who simply shows up and goes through the motions. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, understanding what they want, and finding ways to make their experience better. After all these years, I still get excited about the work, and I think clients can feel that.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like most business owners, I’ve had to learn a lot through experience. When I started TNT Entertainment, I knew music and entertainment, but I also had to learn the business side—marketing, sales, customer service, managing expenses, building relationships, and creating a reputation people could trust.
The entertainment industry can also be unpredictable. There are busy seasons and slow seasons, changing trends, increased competition, and situations that are completely outside of your control. Building a business that lasts more than 20 years has meant constantly adapting while still staying true to what made people want to work with us in the first place.
Another challenge has been balancing everything. I’ve spent years working events on nights and weekends while also being a husband, a dad, and pursuing other opportunities. More recently, getting into real estate meant essentially becoming a beginner again in a completely different industry. That has been humbling, but it has also pushed me to grow.
There have definitely been setbacks, stressful periods, and times when I questioned whether I was heading in the right direction. But I think those experiences are also what made me better at what I do. I’ve learned that consistency, relationships, reputation, and simply showing up for people go a long way.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
My work really centers around people, relationships, and creating great experiences. The biggest part of that has been TNT Entertainment, the DJ and event entertainment company I started in 2004. We specialize in weddings, corporate events, private parties, DJ/MC services, ceremony sound, lighting, and photo booths throughout San Diego and Temecula.
I’ve personally DJed more than 1,000 weddings and events, and I think what we’ve become known for is being professional without feeling overly scripted or generic. Every crowd is different, so I’ve always believed a great DJ has to be able to read the room, understand the couple or client, and create an atmosphere that feels natural to them. My background in radio, live music, and production has also given me a different perspective on how to communicate with a crowd and keep an event moving.
What I’m most proud of is the reputation we’ve built over more than 20 years. Having hundreds of five-star reviews and seeing past clients continue to recommend us to their friends and family means a lot to me. In an industry where there are plenty of options, earning someone’s trust—and then delivering an experience they remember for years—is probably the biggest compliment we can receive.
I’m also a Realtor, which has become another important part of my work. Real estate gives me another opportunity to help people through some of the biggest moments in their lives. Whether someone is planning their wedding or buying or selling a home, I approach it in a similar way: listen first, communicate clearly, be prepared, and make the process as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
I think what sets me apart most is experience combined with personality. I’ve never wanted to be the person who simply shows up and goes through the motions. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, understanding what they want, and finding ways to make their experience better. After all these years, I still get excited about the work, and I think clients can feel that.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least about our city?
What I like best about San Diego is the lifestyle and the sense of community. I was born and raised here, so there’s a lot of personal history tied to the city for me. We have the beaches, the weather, great food, sports, music, and so many different neighborhoods that each have their own personality. I also love that even though San Diego is a major city, it can still feel like a small town in a lot of ways. Through my work in entertainment and real estate, I’m constantly running into people I’ve worked with or known over the years, and I really value those connections.
What I like least is probably how expensive it has become to live here. Housing affordability is a real challenge, especially for younger families and people who grew up here and want to stay close to their families. Working in real estate has made me even more aware of that. I’d love to see San Diego continue to grow while still finding ways to make it possible for the people who grew up here to build a life here.
Overall, though, I feel incredibly fortunate to call San Diego home. I’ve traveled and worked in a lot of places, but there’s still nowhere I’d rather come home to.
Pricing:
- $1,500 – Ceremony/Reception
- $600 Photobooth
- $500 Cold Sparklers
- $400 Uplighting
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tntmobiledj.com
- Instagram: @tnt_entertainment_sd
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realtortroycook/
