From Real Estate to Music: A Spontaneous Opportunity
It was the end of spring, and summer was just around the corner. The fresh smell of opportunities filled my lungs, and I was more excited and driven than ever before. My real estate journey was taking off, and I was ready for whatever came next.
One day, I received a call from a former colleague from my days of selling boat party tickets. He told me he had passed my number to two guys who were looking to rent a place together. They were new to the island, fresh faces, and DJs with no local connections. They needed a place where they could live, work on their music, and—hopefully—not bother the neighbors. Immediately, I knew the challenge: I had to find them a spot where they could play their music freely, without complaints.
After some digging, I found the perfect place for them. A villa, perched on top of a hill in Wardija, with breathtaking views of the countryside and distant sea. It was quiet, rural, and most importantly, a space where they could throw parties, play music, and feel completely free without disturbing anyone. A pool, incredible sunsets, and total privacy—it was everything they needed.
The day of the viewing came, and crazily enough, they arrived with their luggage. Trusting my former colleague’s glowing recommendation, they had packed everything, ready to move in on the spot if the place was right. And it was. As soon as they saw the villa, they were hooked. Right then and there, we signed the contract.
After sealing the deal, I was ready to leave when curiosity hit me. “So, guys, what’s your plan now?” I asked, expecting them to have a clear direction. But instead, with their strong French accents and a shrug, they said, “I don’t know. We’ll apply for some jobs and see what comes.”
That’s when the wildest idea hit me. Spontaneously, I turned to them and said, “But you’re DJs! You should be playing gigs, not working random jobs.” They looked at me, clearly lost, and replied, “Yeah, but we don’t know anyone here yet. We don’t know how to get gigs.”
Without hesitating, I blurted out, “What if I be your manager and get you gigs?”
One of them turned to me, half-joking, and said, “If you can get us three gigs a week, you’ve got a deal.”
Without a second thought, I said, “Deal!” I had no idea how I was going to pull it off, but I was determined to make it happen.
I immediately pulled out my phone, opened Google Maps, and started searching for clubs and bars in Malta. I found a list of places, and each one had a phone number. Without missing a beat, I started calling.
“Good afternoon, this is Yusef, Talent Agent. How are you today? I have two skilled DJs who just arrived in Malta, and I’m wondering if you’d give them a chance to play at your club.” To my surprise, the first club said, “Sure, bring them Tuesday at 9 PM, and we’ll see how good they are.”
I booked their first gig right there on the spot. I couldn’t believe it.
The adrenaline kicked in, and I kept going. “Good afternoon, this is Yusef, Talent Agent…” Club after club, I made the calls, and by the end of the day, I had booked them five gigs for that week and six for the following week.
From there, it only got bigger. They played all summer long, rocking some of the biggest venues in Malta—Café Del Mar, Numero Uno, Gianpula, and even some underground clubs in Paceville. I even managed to get them a gig at a private villa party where models were having a photoshoot for a new business promo. It was a legendary time, and the craziest part? I was still closing real estate deals at the same time.
What started as a simple property viewing turned into a wild ride I never saw coming. And the lesson I learned from that experience? Never leave any stone unturned. Opportunities are everywhere, and sometimes, all it takes is a little spontaneity and the courage to say yes to the unknown.
Stay tuned for next week’s story, where I’ll share how you should always trust your gut—how I turned a difficult client into one of my biggest success stories.
