We built Check Cherry for one DJ in Riverside, California.
Before we even launched, another event pro found us and asked for the same thing. Turned out there was a market.
Built by two developers who spent 8 years answering support chats.
We didn't outsource support. We didn't hire a call center. We talked to customers every single day — and built Check Cherry based on what we learned.
Check Cherry is event booking software for DJs, photo booth owners, photographers, venues, mobile bartenders, and other event professionals. Born in Riverside, CA in 2016 — fully remote and US-based from day one.
How we started
2016
2017
We found our tribe at Photo Booth Expo.
We crashed a booth and walked away with 30+ leads. Photo booth owners got it immediately: less chaos, more bookings. They've been our core ever since.
2018–2024
Both founders handled support. Personally. For 8 years.
Every feature was built from real conversations. We know the pain points because we've heard them hundreds of times.
Our earliest customers are still with us.
Customer #2 has booked $2M+. Customer #3 has booked $3.1M+. They've been with us since 2016 — and they're still growing.
What we believe
Friction kills deals.
Every extra step — every PDF to print, every email to chase, every payment to follow up on — is a chance for something to fall through. We build tools that remove those steps.
Easy for clients = easy for you.
When clients can sign contracts, pay deposits, and submit event details without calling or emailing you, they feel taken care of. And you stop being the bottleneck in your own business.
Good systems compound.
The right tools don't just save time today — they let you take on more work without working more hours. That's how side hustles become real businesses.
Your process, not ours.
Some customers let clients book online. Others send proposals. Some show pricing publicly; others don't. Check Cherry works however you work.
Speed matters.
The fastest response usually wins the booking. Online booking lets clients evaluate you immediately. Our proposal system gets quotes out in minutes. And the client portal is self-service — so clients can sign, pay, and submit details whenever they're ready, not just when you're available.
Happy clients are your best marketing.
When clients have a great experience, they tell their friends. Referrals close faster and cost nothing. Everything we build is designed to make your clients look forward to working with you again.
Built for businesses of every size
Side hustle or six-figure operation — Check Cherry handles it all.
$129,771
Largest single booking
One event. One invoice. Handled.
$3,638,390
Top customer annual revenue
Managed entirely in Check Cherry.
1,222
Most bookings in one year
By a single customer.
Whether you're booking 10 events a year or 1,000 — we've got you covered.
Leadership
Judd Lillestrand
Co-founder
Product and customer obsessed. Spends more time in the Facebook group and support chat than most founders would admit. Believes the best features come from listening.
Matt Goatcher
Co-founder
The engine behind Check Cherry. Turns customer feedback into shipped features faster than anyone expects. If something's broken, he's probably already fixing it.
Support is a priority, not a department
We don't outsource support. We don't hide behind ticket queues. Getting help fast isn't a premium feature — it's how we've always operated. When you reach out, you talk to someone who knows the product inside and out.
2–5 min
Typical response
"Their help desk person Samantha is always so helpful and so fast! We never have to wait more than 2-5 minutes for an answer."
Rachel Stahle
Google Review
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