Today we’d like to introduce you to Serhii Pustovit.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
SoundMN was founded by two partners: myself, Serhii Pustovit, and my business partner, co-founder, and DJ, Maksym Moroz, also known as DJ Maximor.
Our story actually started before we came to the United States. Back in Ukraine, around 2019, we began working in the event industry, providing DJ services, sound equipment, lighting, and technical support for weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, and other celebrations. Maksym was working as a DJ, and together we started building a small but growing event production business.
Then the war in Ukraine changed everything. Like many people, we had to make very difficult decisions very quickly. We were forced to leave most of our equipment behind. Some of it we were able to sell, some we gave away, and some we simply had to leave. In November 2022, we left Ukraine and came to the United States.
We were very fortunate to meet kind people here who became our sponsors and helped us start our new life in Minnesota. When we arrived, we already had a dream of rebuilding our event business in the U.S., but honestly, we had no clear idea how we would make it happen. We came with only about $2,000, and while our sponsors helped us with housing and basic needs in the beginning, we did not have money to invest in business equipment.
For the first year and a half to two years, we worked delivery jobs using an older car, learned the language, adapted to life in America, and slowly tried to understand how business works here. After that period of adjustment, we were finally able to finance our first professional sound equipment.
From there, we started building SoundMN step by step. We created our website ourselves, learned how to run online advertising, and started very small — spending only about $3 to $5 per day on ads. Even that small budget helped us get our first few clients. Every dollar we earned, we tried to reinvest back into better equipment, marketing, and the growth of the business.
Our official start was at the end of May 2025, so in reality SoundMN has been operating fully for a little over a year. During 2025, we continued to grow steadily. We went from spending a few dollars per day on advertising to investing much more seriously into marketing. We also invested around $40,000 into equipment during that year. We were always careful and practical with every purchase. Because we came from a background where we had to build things wisely, we often looked for good used professional equipment when it made sense, so we could save money without sacrificing quality.
Today, SoundMN has grown into a much stronger event production company. We provide sound, lighting, microphones, karaoke systems, DJ services, low fog, uplighting, and full event setup for weddings, corporate events, seminars, community events, private parties, and more across the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. We have served clients not only in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, but also in cities like Rochester, Albert Lea, and other parts of the state.
Now our equipment inventory is large enough that we can support multiple events on the same day, and we have started collaborating with other DJs and technicians because the demand has grown beyond what just the two of us can cover alone.
As SoundMN continues to grow, we also try to give back to the community whenever we can. We understand how important support can be, especially when you are starting over or going through difficult times. That is why we have provided sound equipment and technical support free of charge for several nonprofit and community organizations, including DAP, Adopt a Husky Minnesota, and Minnesota Dignity Collaborative. We are still a young company, but we believe that business should not only be about growth and profit — it should also be about helping people, supporting good causes, and being useful to the community around us.
For us, SoundMN is more than just an equipment rental company. It is a second chance to rebuild what we started in Ukraine, to bring our experience into a new country, and to create something valuable not only for our clients, but also for the wider community here in Minnesota.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, and even now we still face challenges almost every week. Starting over in a new country was difficult by itself — new language, new rules, no credit history, no business connections, and very limited money in the beginning.
One of the biggest struggles was rebuilding everything from zero. In this industry, equipment is a huge part of the business, and we had to slowly buy sound systems, lighting, microphones, cables, stands, transportation, and backup gear step by step. For a long time, we worked delivery jobs while saving money and learning how to build a business here.
There were also emotional challenges. For example, during the ICE raids in Minnesota, it was honestly stressful to keep driving and working, even though we are here legally and have all our documents. Situations like that remind you how vulnerable it can feel to be an immigrant, even when you are doing everything the right way.
Another challenge is constantly learning new rules, systems, and expectations. We always try to follow the law and do things properly, even when it makes some services harder to offer or less competitive in price. For example, certain special effects and event services require proper permits, insurance, or licensing, and we would rather say no to a service than provide it the wrong way.
So yes, the challenges were there from the beginning, and they still exist today. But I think that is normal in business. We try to stay patient, keep learning, solve problems one by one, and build SoundMN in a way we can be proud of.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about SoundMN LLC ?
SoundMN LLC is a full-service event sound, lighting, DJ, and AV company based in the Twin Cities and serving clients across Minnesota.
We provide professional sound systems, wireless microphones, lighting, uplighting, karaoke systems, DJ services, low fog, projectors, projection screens, and complete AV setup for weddings, corporate events, private parties, seminars, conferences, fundraisers, community events, and other special occasions.
At this stage, we are focused on being a full-service company. That means we do not simply rent out speakers or lights for pickup. We help clients choose the right setup, deliver the equipment, set everything up properly, test it before the event, and pick it up afterward. In the future, we may add self-pickup rental options, but right now our focus is on providing a reliable, professional, start-to-finish service.
Because we come from a technical and event background, we understand that every event is different. A small ceremony, a karaoke night, a corporate seminar, a conference, and a large wedding reception all need different solutions. We try to be honest with clients about what they actually need, instead of selling the biggest package just because we can.
We are especially proud of building a company that combines professional equipment, practical pricing, and personal service. We are still a young business, but we care a lot about reliability, clear communication, and doing the job the right way.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is a changing concept. It depends on the stage you are in.
In the beginning, success meant building our own website and buying our first two speakers. Then success meant getting our first client through advertising that we set up ourselves, not through friends or personal connections. After that, success became growing our equipment inventory, getting more bookings, and eventually finding DJs and technicians who could work with us and grow together with SoundMN.
But one thing has never changed: real success for us is seeing an event go smoothly because of our work.
It is when clients do not have to worry about the sound, the music, the microphones, or the technical side of the event. It is when everyone can hear the ceremony clearly in the middle of a field with no power outlets nearby. It is when the speeches are heard, the reception sounds good, people are dancing, and the whole event feels natural.
Sometimes success is not even about receiving a compliment or a thank-you. Of course, that always means a lot. But the real success is when you can look at the people at the event and see that everything is working the way it should. They are present, they are comfortable, they are enjoying the moment — and they do not have to think about the technical side at all.
That feeling is success for us.
Pricing:
- Basic sound packages start at $400, including delivery, setup, sound check, and pickup within our standard service area.
- Wedding and event sound + lighting packages typically range from $700 to $1,500+, depending on the equipment, event size, location, and hours needed.
- Karaoke packages start around $800 and may include sound, microphones, TV/screen, setup, and an operator.
- Corporate AV, seminars, projectors, screens, and microphone setups are quoted based on the venue, schedule, and technical needs.
- DJ services, low fog, uplighting, and specialty lighting are available as add-ons or part of a custom package.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundmn.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sound_mn
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/soundmn.events
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QA34x3BiXY1Nfi7M8
