The Sound of Storytelling

From nightlife to brand strategy, Drew Smith is building a career rooted in music and human connection

By Elizabeth Liberatore / Photo by Claudia Johnstone

There’s nothing quite like experiencing live music. The energetic exchange between audience and performer – especially when the talent is next level – is euphoric. It’s precisely the kind of atmosphere DJ Drewstyle has become known for creating across Scottsdale.

“Time disappears when I’m playing live in front of a crowd,” Drew Smith, the visionary behind DJ Drewstyle, says. “There’s nothing like it.”

A Minneapolis transplant, Smith moved to Arizona in 2024 to pursue a master’s degree in sports journalism at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. That same year, after being introduced to someone in Scottsdale’s nightlife scene, he decided to try his hand at DJing. “I showed up every Sunday night, asked questions, and took the work home with me,” Smith says. “The moment that really crystallized everything was at Lifetime Fitness. A DJ didn’t show up for a pool party, and I stepped in. No prep, no plan – just me and the decks.”

His grit paid off. Smith now holds a Friday residency at Old Town’s Estelle Scottsdale. When he’s not there, audiences can find him spinning at Lifetime locations across the Valley, El Hefe, and an expanding roster of private and corporate events.

Regardless of the venue, Smith brings the same signature open-format style. Unlike DJs who rely on curated setlists, he reads the room in real time, building each set around the crowd’s energy. From hip-hop and house to Afro house, Top 40 and throwbacks, Smith adapts seamlessly to whatever the moment calls for.

“Every set is different. That’s what makes it exciting,” he says.

Beyond DJing, Smith collaborates with brands on content strategy, social media and integrated marketing campaigns. Whether he’s behind the decks or developing campaigns for a lifestyle brand, the through-line in all his work is storytelling. This really gives his work an edge. “I approach every set and every partnership like I’m producing a story – with a clear beginning, middle and end.”

At the core of everything Smith creates is connection. “I just launched Frequency by Drewstyle on iHeartRadio,” he says. “It’s a media innovation experience that brings together everything I do: music, storytelling and broadcast.”

Community Matters

Andrew Goodwin on the joy of giving back to his hometown

By Kaylor Jones / Photo by Claudia Johnstone

Andrew Goodwin is a native Phoenician through and through. The president of Professional Piping Systems (www.ppsphx.com) – who formerly attended Arcadia High School and University of Arizona – says he owes much of his success today to the people in his community.

“One of the coolest things about building a career in Phoenix is that you continue to work alongside many of the same people you grew up with,” says Goodwin, who cites the importance of a family friend who mentored him in coatings after Goodwin left a position with Honeywell Aerospace.

“What really inspired me to stay in construction was seeing the direct impact our work has on the community. You’re building schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and facilities that people rely on every single day. There’s something very rewarding about being part of work that outlasts you.”

Recently, Goodwin joined The Thunderbirds, a nonprofit with a rich local history.

“The organization and its members are some of the most driven, generous and community-focused people in Arizona. Every year The Thunderbirds raise more money and support more incredible organizations and programs throughout Arizona. Being able to contribute to that mission and help make a lasting difference in our communities is something I’m extremely proud to be part of.”

For Goodwin, it’s all about giving back to the city that’s made him who he is. It’s his belief that if you benefit from a community, you inherit the responsibility to strengthen it for the next generation. That’s one reason why he’s so excited to provide stable economic opportunities at PPS – not a backup plan, as some people still consider the skilled trades – and welcome the children of current employees into the company.

“We all play a role in making our communities healthier, safer and full of opportunity for families and young people,” he says. “What makes me most proud to be a Phoenician is watching the city evolve while it holds onto that hardworking, community-driven culture. Phoenix is full of builders, people investing in businesses, and supporting local families. Being able to contribute to that growth through my work, relationships and involvement in the community is something I take a lot of pride in.”