From Booking to Owning with Dan Millen

Last Life Ever

In this engaging episode of 'Last Life Ever,' co-hosts Jeff Holst and Jillian Sidoti reconnect with old friend and club owner Dan Millen. The trio dive into Dan's fascinating career evolution from being a booking agent and musician to owning multiple nightclubs and producing numerous musical events annually. The discussion covers Dan's experiences working with famous musicians like Slash and Bret Michaels, the importance of having reliable business partners, and the critical role of legal agreements in business ventures. They also explore the idea of opening a tiki bar, the intricacies of managing nightlife businesses, and the balance between risk and reward in the entertainment industry. Jillian and Jeff cap off the enriching conversation with dream collaborations and potential future meet-ups.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:08 Dan Millen's Background and Career

00:42 Reconnecting with Old Friends

02:29 Current Ventures and Operations

04:10 Memorable Experiences with Famous Musicians

06:00 Dreams of Owning a Tiki Bar

08:58 Managing Nightclubs from a Distance

17:23 Legal Complexities in Business Partnerships

17:50 The Importance of Written Agreements

19:03 Handling Business Risks and Unexpected Events

21:25 Promoting Shows and Managing Risks

21:38 Leveraging Industry Tools and Networks

26:15 The Art of Mitigating Business Risks

27:22 Dreaming Big: Starting a Tiki Bar

30:42 Guitar Talk and Future Plans

32:13 Final Thoughts and Future Meetups