The Business of Spectacle: Inside Vegas Entertainment with Damian Costa

Podcast: The Mello Millionaire with Tommy Mello
Episode Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Tommy Mello (Mello Studios)
Guest: Damian Costa, Co-Founder of Pompeii Entertainment

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Tommy Mello sits down with longtime Vegas entertainment leader Damian Costa—co-owner of Pompeii Entertainment—to uncover the secrets behind the spectacle that is Las Vegas. With roots stretching back to the heyday of Sinatra, Costa brings both rich personal history and forward-thinking vision, offering listeners an inside look at how entertainment is built, reinvented, and scaled in America’s entertainment capital. The conversation rolls through the evolution of the Vegas show scene, the essence of community in business success, lessons in reinvention, and the practical habits that define sustainable achievement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unique Allure of Las Vegas

• Damian’s Local Roots: Born and raised in Vegas, Damian shares how the city’s “limitless” energy and opportunity keep him invested (01:20).
• Quote:

  “People come to Las Vegas because you can do anything here… There are no limits.”
  — Damian Costa (01:20)

• He highlights the perception that you can “do anything” in Vegas, which attracts risk-takers and dreamers alike.

2. Family Heritage and the Foundations of Vegas Entertainment

• Damian's family has deep entertainment roots—grandfathers who were a musical director and horn player for Vegas greats and legends like Sinatra and Elvis (02:03).
• Quote:

  “My grandfather opened Jubilee—it was the longest running and largest show in Las Vegas.” — Damian Costa (02:30)

• Visuals of family history line the walls of his restaurant, rooting his approach in showbiz legacy.

3. What Makes an Event Unforgettable

• The shift from mere experiences to shareable, unrepeatable events—a key in the social media era (02:55).
• Quote:

  “Being able to create an event that is memorable, that will never happen again, is what makes the biggest mark.”
  — Damian Costa (03:08)

• Emphasis on creating moments people want to broadcast.

4. Vegas Entertainment’s Constant Evolution

• Nightclubs' transformation from after-hours lounges to massive arenas (03:49–04:32).
• Middle-Market Challenge: As spectacle grows, mid-sized venues must innovate to survive.
• Quote:

  “The big shows get bigger... the middle space always seems to be what suffers. You have to be very inventive.”
  — Damian Costa (05:18)

5. Survival of the Fittest—The Need for Reinvention

• Tommy and Damian discuss how disruption—like private equity in home services—demands continuous adaptation (05:34).
• Quote:

  “Not in this town. You have to be ready to change.”
  — Damian Costa (06:19)

• Comedy and magic offer real-time commentary or escape, helping Vegas adapt culturally (06:23–07:03).

6. Learning from the Visionaries

• Damian’s mentors include Vegas icons like the Gahn family, Bob Bogner, Steve Wynn, and Phil Ruffin (07:11).
• Stories of bold risk-taking—turning arenas into concert venues on a hunch—show how innovation shapes the Strip.

7. The Science of Vegas: Entertainment as the Anchor

• Why Keep Reinvesting? Damian explains that in Vegas, restaurants and hotel rooms are essentials, but entertainment is what drives demand (09:03).
• Quote:

  “Unless they’re coming here to be entertained, that stuff falls away. Entertainment is the one thing that is a human transaction.”
  — Damian Costa (09:03, 10:13)

8. Pompeii Entertainment: Testing and Incubating the New

• Off-Strip venues as innovation labs—trying new things before they hit mainstream Strip properties (10:38).
• Building spaces (like Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club) that foster invention, not just replication.
• Quote:

  “We want to feed the evolution of on the Strip and off the Strip at the same time… That’s the reason we created Pompeii.”
  — Damian Costa (11:30)

9. The Human Side of Comedy

• Backstage at a comedy club reveals authenticity and vulnerability—fame is not a prerequisite, and the energy is deeply personal (12:31).
• On Standup:

  “If you wanted to be one of the world’s best stand-up comedians, you can do it in Las Vegas.”
  — Damian Costa (15:18)

• The live experience unites a room in laughter, validating private jokes in public (15:36).

10. Las Vegas—More Than a Business, It’s a Community

• The legacy and importance of supporting each other, both in entertainment and in giving back—e.g., the wedding capital’s community impact (16:26).
• Over 5 million couples have been married in Las Vegas, with licensing revenues benefiting local programs (17:00).

11. Legend Wish List & Brand Values

• If Damian could resurrect any act for a Pompeii stage? R.E.M., Nirvana, or a young George Carlin for the thrill of reinvention (18:11).
• Pompeii’s core mission: “Accessible. Fun. Entertaining.” (19:26).

12. Incubating the Next Gen of Vegas Talent

• The “restaurant” is actually a live venue meant to cultivate future stars and new entertainment brands (19:33).
• Cites how past icons (Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil) found their home and identity in Vegas.

13. Advice for the Next Generation

• Learn to discern authentic support—many people 'smile' but few work in your real interest (21:00).
• Quote:

  “It really is amazing how many people are out there to help you. And you don’t know it because there’s so many other people in front of them acting as if they are.”
  — Damian Costa (21:01)

14. Millionaire Habits and the 'Yes-If' Philosophy

• Accomplish something every day (“Make the bed”), and don’t chase the hardest task, chase what matters (21:46).
• Quote:

  “We say yes if, and not no because… It’s one of the biggest things I’ve brought to my bigger jobs.”
  — Damian Costa (22:28)

• Saying yes and then figuring it out—creates opportunity and growth for both business and team.

15. Innovation, Regulation, and Community—Vegas Style

• ‘Normal’ is meant to be challenged. Damian shares how the right mindset and enough consensus can shift the rules (25:05).
• Real wealth in Vegas is based on the community mentality—not quick hits, but sustainable involvement and giving back (25:58).
• Quote:

  “If you make it all about yourself, then you’re probably quick to not be here very long.”
  — Damian Costa (26:09)

16. Rapid Fire Vegas Stories (Music Residencies)

• Incubus: “They’d be a great resident—nobody’s done a show like they could.” (27:10)
• Coldplay: “As long as they don’t bring their cameras in the video screen…” (27:24)
• Morgan Wallen: Praises his genuine style and massive draw, likening arena concerts to the next evolution of nightlife (27:33).

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Opportunity in Vegas

  “There’s so much opportunity and you can do anything.”
  — Damian Costa (01:38)

• On Change

  “You have to change. You have to be ready to change.”
  — Damian Costa (06:19)

• On Vegas Entertainment

  “Entertainment is the one thing that is—a human transaction. The experience tonight will not happen again. It is only tonight.”
  — Damian Costa (10:13)

• On Saying ‘Yes’

  “We say yes if, and not no because. It’s something that changed my life… We stop saying no.”
  — Damian Costa (22:28)

• On Perseverance

  “Everyone wants the views, but no one wants to take the hike.”
  — Interviewer (Tommy Mello) (29:26)

• On Community in Vegas

  “If you make it all about yourself, then you’re probably quick to not be here very long.”
  — Damian Costa (26:09)

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• Vegas Roots & Heritage: 01:12–02:45
• Making Events Memorable: 02:45–03:24
• Evolution of Nightlife & Big Shows: 03:49–05:34
• Reinvention & Adaptation in Entertainment: 05:34–07:03
• Mentors & Visionaries of Vegas: 07:05–08:40
• The Science of Entertainment in Vegas: 08:40–10:13
• Founding Pompeii Entertainment: 10:28–12:21
• On Comedy and Community: 12:21–16:24
• Las Vegas as Wedding Capital: 16:24–18:03
• Legendary Performers Wish List: 18:03–19:08
• Pompeii Values, Incubation, and Restaurant Concept: 19:26–20:55
• Advice for Aspiring Millionaires: 21:00–21:35
• Millionaire Habits & “Yes If” Philosophy: 21:46–24:11
• On Regulations & Community Change: 25:01–25:42
• Vegas Business Philosophy: 25:42–26:52
• Rapid Fire: Thoughts on Incubus, Coldplay, and Morgan Wallen: 27:10–28:11
• Closing Reflections—On Hard Work & Perspective: 28:18–29:39

Final Thoughts

The episode is an illuminating journey through the beating heart of Las Vegas entertainment, offering lessons on vision, community, business reinvention, and the human spirit behind the glitz. Damian Costa reminds us that legacy is built on both daring innovation and selfless participation, that real opportunity is forged not alone but in community, and that the best Vegas stories—and successes—come from saying “yes” and putting in the work that others won’t.

For aspiring entrepreneurs or anyone fascinated by Las Vegas, this is a masterclass in building spectacle, culture, and a new breed of wealth.