We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Valerie Ojeda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Valerie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Ha ha ha ha ha! As a performer, you learn to jump at EVERY opportunity, no matter what. You say, “YES” to the job, then figure out how to do it later.

This is a story about my very first live presenter job back in 2003. I had already been working as an on-camera host, trade show hostess and brand ambassador, for several years, when I received a phone call from one of my agents. She asked, “Do you have any experience using ear-prompter as a presenter?” I immediately and excitedly responded, “YES!” She informed me that she would be submitting me to a new client, to present at CES. The SECOND I got off the phone, I spewed out some gnarly, drunken-sailor type expletives and ran to my computer to look up: WHAT IS EAR PROMPTER? I literally had no idea. I had never even heard the term before.

It is a small recording device, which allows you to record a script. You then play it back, through a wired or wireless earbud and then repeat, out loud, what you are hearing. This comes in handy when you get an extremely lengthy or technical script, especially at the last minute. This also allows you to recite the client’s verbiage, verbatim, every single time.

Well, I guess it was meant to be, because I got the job! So, after the simultaneous elation and panic erupted, the next step was to search for something affordable that would pass as an ear-prompter. Professional ones can run into the thousands! So, what did I do? I ran over to Walmart! I found a very small recording device for about $50.00 and I just used my own earbuds. I cut off 1 of the buds, so that I had just 1 line running up through the back of my shirt into my left ear, so my hair would cover it.

It’s very odd hearing yourself and then repeating it out loud. There is definitely a learning curve in creating the correct pace and timing. Many professional presenters actually take classes to learn how to do this and here I was, the scrappy outsider, making it up as I went along. The script was a little over 15 minutes in length and I rehearsed those words, dozens of times each day, for over a week.

Cut to the day before the show. I flew into Las Vegas for CES 2023 and checked into my hotel room at about 6:30pm. At 7pm, on the dot, I received a call from my agent telling me she was sending over an almost completely revised script for TOMORROW’S SHOW!!! More creatively crafted curse words ensued, followed by more panic and then resolve. My Midwest work ethic kicked in and I was off recording a brand-new script. It took me 2.5 hours to record everything correctly and I rehearsed as much as I could, until about 1am, as I had to be up at 5am.

I survived the show and actually did a great job, considering. I’ve been doing it for 20 years now and consider that first job my Full Metal Jacket Bootcamp!

Bottom line: NEVER be afraid to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Solutions not excuses.

NOW ask me about the time a producer for a talk show asked me if I could do a Chinese Split the next day on stage in front of a live studio audience!  Honestly, I could not…  I MF DID IT ANYWAY!  (Hahahaha… true story.)

Valerie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Most of my life was all about performing; Singing, Acting, Dancing, Hosting, etc. All I needed was to be in front of a camera or on a stage with a microphone. Musical theater and acting morphed into singing and on-camera hosting…until eventually… I became a Professional Live Presenter and Emcee with a very successful cover band on the side.

So, what does a Professional Presenter and Emcee do?

Here’s the deal:
1. A company decides to participate in a trade show, convention or event.
2. They realize that they want their brand messaging and ROI to go far above and beyond just a regular booth with logos, posters, product and booth staff.

THAT, my dear friends, is where I come in. My type of talent adds that extra “Wiz Bang” attraction to a client’s display. You name it – I do it. Presentations, Emcee, On-Camera Host, Product Demonstrations, Game Host, Crowd Gathering, Display Tour Guide, Product Specialist, Singer, Sales, etc.
I travel the country for some of the biggest companies out there, like Panasonic, Microsoft, 3M, Sony and Epson, just to name a few. I have experience in almost every industry; Computer Technology, Cyber Security, Medical, Construction, Cleaning, Industrial Cooking, Gaming, Automotive, Sports, Music, Fashion, Health, Real Estate and Hospitality.

For some shows, I will present a script, provided by the client or marketing person. These will range anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes in length. Sometimes I will be standing in front of the product I am speaking about and other times I will just be imparting wisdom.

Some clients hire me to do live demonstrations and sales of their products, while others have me crowd gather, generate excitement and lead games or raffles.

What’s my favorite thing to do? EMCEEING OUTDOOR EVENTS WITH NO RESTRAINTS!
What does that mean? I love when a client hires me to show as much no-holds-barred energy and enthusiasm, as I can possibly muster, to get the crowd excited, involved and having fun! They give me a rough rundown of what they would like me to do and say and I just go absolutely nuts on the microphone. I literally say whatever comes into my head, to entice people into the booth. to participate in whatever interactive they have going on. I truly have no inhibitions. I’ve hung from scaffolding, while doing a presentation. I recently jumped up and down for 5 minutes straight, while emceeing, on a dare. I started a group sing-along of “Don’t Stop Believing,” while hosting a video game competition. I will do whatever it takes, to achieve above and beyond my client’s expectation, for each given show. And I LOVE that surprised look on their faces, when they walk up at the end of the day, sharing that their numbers or consumer reactions or foot traffic or sales were astronomically higher than they ever expected. That is MY goal for every single client!

This is what I believe sets me apart from others in this industry. There is a versatility in what I offer, from the way I look and present myself, to my delivery and energy. One day I can be at a convention center, wearing a 3-piece suit, presenting a highly technical product script, making it appear as though I’ve worked for that company for years. The next week I could be at an outdoor racing event, wearing shorts, sneakers and a ball cap, while jumping, dancing, singing, hooting and hollering to get the crowd riled up. I knew algebra and trig would never come in handy, later in life, but my background in acting and improv definitely did! I am a literal one stop shop for trade shows and events!

“SYBIL? Hold my beer!”

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Why do I do it? What drew me to it? What keeps me motivated to keep doing it?

Impeccability is a very powerful word to me. When you grow up on the Southwest side of Chicago, poor as a church mouse, you learn very early on that if you want something, you have to work for it and earn it.  And when you achieve an opportunity, you ALWAYS go above and beyond. Just giving 100% is lazy to me. Nothing is free. Nothing is easy. Nothing is ever handed to you. And I appreciate and cherish every job, every client, every consumer and every minute that I get to do what I love. That fact instilled a work ethic in me that has propelled me to always go after everything I want in life with all that I’ve got. And I do.

As much as my life has been filled with going after the things I’ve wanted, the truth is that it was almost always an inner struggle. I would still go for it, but inside I was secretly riddled with a constant barrage of self-debasing thoughts. Was I good enough? Did I deserve it? I found myself very intimidated by others who I saw as more talented, better looking, more experienced, etc. I guess that’s natural, but I did have to UNLEARN that. When you’re an actor going on an audition, you eventually realize that there are a zillion reasons why you may or may not get the gig, sometimes having nothing to do with talent or merit. And when I was acting, I knew that. It was also solidified after years of working in casting and producing. But when it came to this… the confidence in what I brought to the table was very shaky in the beginning.

I remember the moment when I realized what a burden that was. I remember having lunch with a friend, talking about a job I had just submitted for. I must have been going on and on, listing out all the reasons I was sure I WOULDN’T get the job, when she stopped me in my tracks with one question. She asked, “Why NOT you? Seriously, VAL, why NOT you?” I will never forget that moment.

What are all those famous quotes?

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

“The worst thing they can say is no.”

“There’s someone out there who’s way less qualified than you- living the life you want. Simply because they took action.”

ALL 100% TRUE!

I no longer compare myself to others, as everyone has something unique to offer. You also never know what a client is truly looking for. You may have an idea, but that can always change. Sometimes they don’t even know themselves, so YOU have the power to show them something new. You are in the driver’s seat of how you present yourself and it’s your job to show them something they didn’t even know they wanted or needed… until now.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Why do I still LOVE it, after all these years? Because human connection and being of service is so powerful and so important in my life.

Outside of all the performing I’ve done, I have also always worked in some form of customer service.
I truly love people. I truly love helping and assisting people. I truly love making people smile and laugh and feel at ease and feel seen and heard. That is what I get to do every day that I am on the microphone, whether at a trade show or singing with my band. I’m not there for me. I am there for them. I get to look people in the eyes and help them in some way. I get to explain something they didn’t know or understand. I get to give them something they didn’t even know they wanted. I get to listen to them and I get to see them smile and laugh and have fun! That feeling is absolutely incomparable and I love every minute of it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atradeshowpresenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presentingvalerie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriemikitaojeda
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriemikitaojeda/
• Youtube: https://vimeo.com/valeriemikitaojeda
• Other: https://www.anthemroadband.com