Young Hiphopreneur Ricky Smith brings in big bucks with parent-friendly teen events in NYC #hiphopreneur
NY teen raking in cash with parent-friendly parties
By CHUCK BENNETT
Last Updated: 10:48 AM, November 8, 2010
Posted: 12:50 AM, November 8, 2010
Comments: 18sports_story_lower sports_page quigo_lower 1482096 871776 440 225 * -->This kid has something to fist-pump about.
High-school sophomore Ricky Smith has been collecting up to $15,000 an event in cover charges for hosting drug- and alcohol-free teen dance parties throughout the city.
Called "Lost Generation," the series of parent-friendly parties attracts up to 500 teens from elite Manhattan public and private schools to lofts and clubs for a night of nonstop, juvenile booty-shaking.
"My goal was to monopolize the teen party business in New York City," said Smith, who organized five megaparties this year.
Each party -- advertised on Facebook and by individual promoters he recruited in dozens of schools -- is staffed with professional bouncers who have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to booze, dope or fisticuffs.
sports_story_lower sports_page quigo_lower 1482096 871776 440 225 * -->
Robert MillerRicky Smith
"It's like walking into a club -- usually a lot of house music and popular music you'd hear on the radio," he said. "Lots of dancing and, yes, fist-pumping."
Music is provided by aspiring teen deejays.
Some older teens scoff at the whole concept, but for Smith, a sophomore at the Professional Performing Arts School, it just means better business to focus on 14- to 15-year-olds.
They like it, he said, because older teens aren't around to intimidate them and parents, especially girls' parents, feel it's a safer environment.
Still, his budding business, which is overseen by Smith's father, Donald, has had hiccups.
His planned Oct. 30 party in a Garment District loft was canceled at the last minute when he couldn't come up with the necessary $3,000 deposit and had trouble getting the proper permits.
Smith used his Facebook page to blame the adult who brokers space for events.
What happened next was a lesson for the 40-year-
old broker, who was barraged by hateful and threatening e-mails.
He finally had to threaten to call the cops before the lower Manhattan teen told his followers to back off.
"I have a lot of admiration for him, and he has a lot of promise," the broker said. "Ricky is a smart kid but, nevertheless, a kid still."
Ricky said he doesn't see a career in the club or party promotion business.
"I want to work in math or science, my strong subjects," he said.
Comments (13)
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Angel
11/08/2010 10:42 PM
The kid has the entreprenurial spirit that I wish a lot of teenagers had. For interesting and funny life commentary please check diaries of a delusional man.
hatetologin
11/08/2010 4:51 PM
@Citydicker you must be unable to read! The kid DID NOT call the cops - THE GUY WHO STIFFED HIM called the cops! Learn to read and understand BEFORE you try to put someone down!
smith314
11/08/2010 4:37 PM
Yeah the "kid's" got promise, and yes he's still a kid but he did not throw a temper tantrum nor did he call the cops. The party did not happen on October 30th because the "guy" did not put the deposit on the space in time. And yes that is a BPC apartment, are you trying to infer something?
Ricky Smith is trying to create a safe, and parent-friendly environment on weekends where kids can still party while staying out of trouble. I don't see any other 15-year olds doing the same. Let's give him some credit rather than be critical on obstacles every businessman faces daily.
outatowner
11/08/2010 3:55 PM
The broker is just trying to belittle Ricky by calling him a kid but I'm betting the broker will never mess with him again. Kids these days have a whole boatload of social networking adults can't even begin to figure out.
wasko
11/08/2010 2:44 PM
Man! Why didnt I think of that? I love 14 and 15 year olds....
TonyZ
11/08/2010 12:20 PM
Are You Serious... Great, intelligent retort! Are you sure you're not a speechwriter for the DNC?
cityslicker
11/08/2010 12:10 PM
He had to go ask the party kids to not bother the guy because it wasn't his fault. Great STAND UP kid!!
Dainty
11/08/2010 11:40 AM
Ricky Smith is an actor on the new Electric Company show on PBS. It shows daily after 3:00 PM weekdays.
Never to young to be in business.
posted by Wyking at 8:22 AM
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