"Not Everyone Deserves Access": The Controversial Strategy Behind Chicago's Biggest Nightlife Success | EF EP 124

Most people think inclusivity is the key to building a successful venue or event. Dom Brown built his empire doing the exact opposite - and he's not apologetic about it.

As the founder of Porn & Chicken (Chicago's most legendary weekly party), owner of Never Have I Ever bar, and touring manager for Green Velvet and Shermanology, Dom has one controversial principle: not everyone deserves access to everything.

While other promoters were chasing numbers, Dom was implementing no-phone policies in 2010 and hand-selecting who could enter his parties. The result? A cultural phenomenon that grew from 150 to 5,000 people weekly and is still talked about fifteen years later.

Key Takeaways:

• Why saying "no" at the door created safer spaces and legendary experiences
• How the no-phone policy became Dom's secret weapon (years before it was trendy)
• The psychology behind why exclusivity creates more demand than inclusion
• The difference between being seen vs. creating genuine experiences
• Why artists need to give authentically to the community before expecting anything back
• How door hosts became the "ethos" of successful parties
• Why themed events require every element to serve the overall experience

The Controversial Truth: Dom openly admits "I am discriminating" - and explains why this approach built multiple successful businesses while creating genuinely safe spaces for marginalized communities.

Actionable Strategy: Learn why your standards aren't gatekeeping - they're brand building. Discover how scarcity creates value and why the most powerful word in your vocabulary might be "no."

Stop chasing everyone and start curating intentionally. Hit play to learn how exclusivity became Dom's path to building a legendary career in dance music.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx