In this episode of "AWESOME People", Iman Huschmand has a wide ranging conversation with Aras, who is best known for being Canada's celebrity Persian DJ...DJ Bliss. Born in Shiraz, Iran, is a place known for its rich culture, producing some of the greatest wine, mystics, and an entertainer who encompasses the wonders of Shiraz, DJ Bliss. At the age of 7, Aras got his first taste of the thrills that come with being an entertainer, where he had the opportunity to perform a handful of magic tricks in front of his entire school, which turned out to be a great success. Without knowing, the entertainment seed and passion was planted in Aras’ heart and soul. Fast forward to the age of 14, Aras and his loving family decided to move to Canada, and at the age of 17, Aras decided to join his high school’s radio station, Jag Radio as the schools official DJ. This is where the budding musical mystic would start to hone his craft, ensuring all his listeners were “partying right”. After having a taste of DJing at his high school, Aras went on to compete in the YUMCW, and placed 2nd overall out of the fourteen contestants battling it out for the ISAYU. It was this competition that nurtured the little seed that was planted in Aras’ heart and soul as a boy, and blossomed into the full-bodied and smooth sounds of DJ Bliss! Aras is the founder of Mehmooni, and travels the world, sharing his sweet sounds, spreading joy and touching the hearts and souls of his listeners, as his genuine passion for music is felt through his awe-inspiring mixes. DJ Bliss is also Canada’s first ever Persian celebrity DJ, which has given DJ Bliss the opportunity to perform with the likes of: Shahram Shabpareh, Kamran & Hooman, Andy, Ehsan Khajeh Amiri, Benyamin, Dariush, Ebi, Black Cats, Mansour, Siavash Ghomayshi, Elcid, Radio Javan, Morteza, Sami Beigi, Siavash Shams (sahneh), Carl Wolf, Craig Smart, Tania Zygar, and many more. Music aside, Bliss has been involved in a multitude if different ventures. He founded Push it Marketing Inc in 2009 as a full service marketing company. And is a co-founder and owner of Graffiti Exhibiting Bar Experience in Ontario as of 2019. A popular concept bar featured in different outlets, where music, street art and amazing food bring people from near and far together. Aras has been hosting TV shows on Ten TV, Radio Javan and is currently working with the Manoto TV, the most watched entertainment oriented Farsi speaking outlet outside of Iran. His journey is just beginning and he aims to help as many others as he can on his path forward.  SHOW NOTES: Introduction of DJ Bliss [1:12] Combatting the Corona virus lockdown as an entertainer and business owner [10:35] Entertainment and hospitality business owners need to adapt now more than ever [28:00] Aras’ plans for his restaurant and how they have changed trying to ride out the storm [34:00] How artists and other creatives have been impacted by quarantine [44:00] Rapid Fire Questions [48:07] Closing remarks (be kind to earth and each other) [59:00]  QUOTES: “You have to make things work for the audience to enjoy themselves without them realizing there’s every any hiccups. Making that happen, you learn a lot about how to deal with people and who your type of people are and who aren’t.” [8:16] “We have to start thinking how we’re going to live moving forward. By just sitting on our asses and saying ’things are going to get better’ nothing is going to get better.” [15:37] “This is the time where you have to start getting creative; you have to start thinking outside of the box.” [28:25] “Any entrepreneur that want’s to survive this storm, they have to get creative. The only way to survive this is to get creative. The money alone isn’t going to be the issue […] you’re still going to have to figure out how you’re going to repurpose your space a