How It All Began
Nearly 20 years ago, childhood best friends Brent Eskew and Clayton Willis embarked on a journey to transform their passion for live sound production into something extraordinary. While running a small local production company, the duo grew frustrated with the tedious task of manually wrapping the microphone, lighting, and power cables after every show. They knew there had to be a better way. At that time, however, no suitable solution existed for the demands of live event production. So, in true entrepreneurial fashion (as the saying goes), necessity became the mother of invention.
Co-founder of Stage Ninja, Brent Eskew, recalls, “When I was playing music and working my local sound company business, my wife announced her pregnancy, so it was time for some decisions. I was reminded of my childhood in my dad’s tool repair shop and recalled a collection of hanging power tools in his workshop. This epiphany answered so many questions and put everything into focus for me.”
At a time when so-called “weekend warrior” musicians were working in almost every town and moving into support act roles, Eskew recognized the potential for their cable reels to function well at the touring level. Along with his best friend since childhood, Clayton Willis, a first responder who became a business partner early on, the pair took their production company’s needs as the motivation to develop solutions for their events.
“Once we had our first products, we knew we had to show them to other musicians, production companies, and buyers, so we set up our first NAMM show booth. Meeting some people I admired and respected in music at NAMM amazed me because of how much they encouraged our concept,” Clayton Willis recalls fondly. “One after another, people loved our patented idea, and we knew right then that we were onto something great.”
After that point, the focus became an R&D mission designed to offer the best sound quality, build quality, silent connectors, custom jobs, and ultimately, expansion into other applications like DMX, power, longer lengths, grouping products, and adding more conductors for almost any type of connection—including antimicrobial coatings for medical applications. As more houses of worship ventured into more elaborate productions, the introduction of Stage Ninja products was the right fit for both portable and installed scenarios, regardless of the style or size of the venue.
Solving “The Reel” Issues
What began as a simple need to save time and effort grew into a groundbreaking innovation. Brent and Clayton didn’t just create a cable reel—they revolutionized the live production industry. Their patented cable reels and industrial-grade clamps became the gold standard for professionals seeking greater efficiency. These solutions eliminated the physical struggle of manually wrapping cables, saving countless hours of labor while extending the life of the cables.
“Our unique designs are engineered to maximize efficiency, saving our clients time, energy, and physical effort in their day-to-day operations,” explains Eskew. “When the house lights go down, and the event begins, everything in the chain—lights, sound, power, data—has to work flawlessly. That’s where we come in.”
Expanding Beyond Live Events
While Stage Ninja’s products were initially designed to meet the demands of live sound and event production, their applications quickly expanded. Stage Ninja’s solutions today serve professionals in industries as diverse as professional racing, motion picture production, medical facilities, theatrical applications, and sports. The company has even entered the consumer market, creating industrial-grade mounting solutions for microphones, tablets, phones, wireless antennas, action cams, and any device that fits standard 5/8” or 1/4” threading.
These robust, stylish clamps—designed in a sleek gloss black—are game-changers for musicians, audio engineers, and lighting directors alike. They are so durable and versatile that they can even support drum microphones without a stand. When paired with Stage Ninja’s retractable reels, these solutions streamline setup and teardown, saving valuable time when every second counts.
Built for Durability and Reliability
Stage Ninja products are designed to excel in demanding environments. From worship venues and touring stages to medical facilities and broadcast studios, every cable reel and mounting solution is made from industrial-grade materials and features high-quality components, including Neutrik® connectors for Speakon, Powercon, XLR, and DMX reels.
Willis emphasizes, “We don’t just manufacture products—we create solutions. Our goal is to empower our customers to work smarter, not harder. Every product we build is designed with this mission in mind.”
Why Professionals Trust Stage Ninja
With nearly two decades of experience, Stage Ninja has become synonymous with quality, efficiency, and reliability. Their innovative products have earned the trust of professionals across multiple industries, including:
– House of Worship: Helping ministries streamline their AV and production needs.
– Live Entertainment: Supporting sound engineers, lighting directors, and stage crews.
– Healthcare: Providing durable solutions for medical environments.
– Broadcasting: Ensuring reliability in high-pressure situations.
– Professional Racing and Sports: Meeting the unique demands of fast-paced industries.
What sets Stage Ninja apart is its unwavering commitment to excellence. Every product is industrial/commercial grade quality and offers excellent reliability.
– Made from industrial-grade materials.
– Designed to save time and effort.
– Built for industrial, commercial-grade reliability and performance.
– Engineered with the finest components for top-quality audio, video, power, and data.
– Offered in both custom-built and ready-made options.
– Designed and assembled in the U.S.A.
Shaping the Future of Efficiency
As Stage Ninja looks toward the future, its vision is clear: to continue innovating and exceeding customer expectations. By staying attuned to market trends and listening to its clients, it constantly refines its products to meet the ever-changing demands of its industries.
“We don’t see ourselves as just a product manufacturer,” says Eskew. “We’re a partner in our customers’ success. By delivering high-quality, durable solutions, we enable professionals to focus on what they do best—producing live music, delivering a sermon, or capturing the perfect shot on a film set.”
A Trusted Partner for Worship and Beyond
Stage Ninja products are particularly valuable for houses of worship. Their ability to simplify complex setups and streamline transitions between events makes them indispensable tools for AV teams working in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments. Whether ensuring a seamless Sunday service or managing a large-scale worship conference, Stage Ninja’s solutions empower teams to focus on their ministry rather than their time wrapping cables.
The Stage Ninja Difference
With an emphasis on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Stage Ninja has cemented its place as a leader in live production and beyond. Similar products must improve their build quality, performance, and reliability compared to Stage Ninja. The unique combination of cutting-edge technology and practical design continues to redefine how professionals work, saving time and energy at every step while maintaining superior build quality and performance results.
Whether you are a worship leader, sound engineer, technical director, or production manager, Stage Ninja invites everyone to join them in shaping an efficient future for productions of all sizes. With their durable cable reels, versatile clamps, and commitment to excellence, they not only exceed expectations but also set the standard for saving valuable time and reducing physical strain.
For more information, go to StageNinja.com.
About the Author
Daniel East is a musician, audio engineer, author, educator, and consultant, also known as “The Mix Doctor.” He specializes in training, team building, and live sound mixing for houses of worship, as well as faith-based and secular touring artists, ensuring excellent sound and efficient workflows. His articles are featured in audio and design publications, and he frequently appears on podcasts, radio, and TV and presents at events like NARAS/Grammys, AES, NAMM, and CES. After years of touring, East focused on consulting and audio support, founding his first firm in 1996. He currently serves as A1 audio engineer for his home church in Palm Beach County, Florida, while collaborating with national and regional production companies. East also offers training in in-ear monitor (IEM) systems, product design, and evaluation. He works with ministries across the U.S. to foster worship-filled, praise-based environments. Additionally, he founded Worship Teams of South Florida to support worship leaders, musicians, and tech/production teams through training and collaboration.
