Chris Dyer, a senior corporate communication major, always threw huge parties at NIU, hoping to bring students some type of entertainment.

These parties led Dyer to start his own business. The totally independent Soul’e Company brings various entertainment acts to NIU without school funding.

Soul’e is sponsoring a comedic show at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium. The show will star comedian DeRay and co-star Hitz from the Streets and B. Cole, and there will be a $10 cover charge.

“I love to entertain people,” Dyer said. “So I thought, why not make some money while I’m doing what I love?”

Soul’e is an acronym for Support Unity and Love. The Soul’e/Infinite Company is a combination of businesses; Soul’e is Dyer’s company, and Infinite is a business in Chicago. The Soul’e Company, which was started at NIU, employs five students who assist Dyer in event planning.

Soul’e treasurer Brian Sleming, a senior corporate communication major, said he likes working for Soul’e because it involves networking and business skills.

“With everything, it is a lot of work, but it’s all about dedication,” Sleming said. “At the first show, we got a lot of positive feedback.”

Sleming said Soul’e has prepared extensively for Friday’s show, and he prays that the show is a success.

“I hope Friday’s show is as funny as the last one,” said Doug Anderson, a freshman political science major.

The last comedic show sponsored by Soul’e was Sept. 8, starring the famous Jenny Jones comedian “Tornado” a.k.a. “Big Daddy Woo Woo.” Anderson said he liked the last show’s after-party and that the comedy show was packed full of people, making it hard to even find a seat.

“The show was really cool,” freshman communication major Larhonda Bagby said. “I thought the comedians were really funny, and the after-party was really jumping.”

Dyer said he knows each performer personally that comes to NIU, and he doesn’t go through any agents.

“Basically, it’s all about money,” Dyer said about why the performers come to NIU. “I also do a lot of networking. I guess that I just know the right people.”

The $10 charge is the lowest price that Dyer can charge for the events. He said he wants to be able to pay back the people and also make some kind of profit.

At the last show, Soul’e broke even.

“I have to make sure that I get my tickets early,” freshman undecided major Randy Rhandirous said. “I was unable to go to the last show, but I am definitely making it to this one.”

Soul’e now is focusing on community service projects for the holidays. A portion of the money that Soul’e makes is donated to local charities.