Today we’d like to introduce you to Yesi Ortiz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Over the past two decades, my journey in the music industry has been deeply personal and transformative. With extensive experience in music industry as a programmer and talent, I’ve witnessed the power of music to bridge gaps and connect souls. My love affair with music traces back to a time when I felt invisible, searching for a sense of belonging. It was through the medium of music, particularly the radio, that I discovered a world where I felt truly seen. I discovered a radio broadcasting school, which allowed me to be more curious of how the magic worked. 6 months into school, I was advancing pretty quickly and took a proactive approach to land an internship at a talk radio station, which was my 1st look into a real studio. My curiosity grew stronger; I began searching for an opportunity outside the LA market. As I kept hearing from my professors, “Look outside of your comfort zone; you will find more opportunities and be allowed to make your mistakes in a smaller market as you begin your journey.” I had the opportunity to audition for a Las Vegas radio station (Hot 97.5) and 2 weeks later, was offered a weekend shift. I felt I had won a million dollars; the joy I felt, and the tears I shed fueled me to want more. My Mon-Fri schedule was working at my full-time job in Lake Forest as a patient rep for Saddleback Memorial Hospital, after work, driving to school in Huntington Beach, and then heading home to Long Beach, where I was living at the time. The days were so long, and on Fridays even longer, as I would leave around midnight and make my trek to Las Vegas, not before getting my beef jerky and Red Bulls. Tired but excited at the same time, I would power through my Sat & Sun shift at the radio station in Vegas for my 4-hour show. I did that for about 3 or 4 months till my school ended, and I was able to find a similar full-time job and an apartment and make the transition to give it my all. The persistence never stopped; my curiosity grew even more! I would fall, I hurt, I would feel lonely, but I knew I had to keep pushing through. I wanted nothing more to make my parents proud, my friends and not let myself down. I successfully created a Latin Hip Hop show that drew a crowd in front of the radio station every Sunday night. The community would pull up in the parking lot, bring food, and ‘tailgate’ for 3 hours. As I took calls of shoutouts, and the community got me through. I knew from that moment I had to keep going. That time in Vegas molded me, the community empowered me and got me through some rough times, a young 20-something missing her family, unsure if what I was desiring to pursue as a career was right, but they affirmed it. As the years went by, that passion, that focus was my reason I need to land other opportunities. A short stay in Tijuana, Mexico, at a bilingual radio station, almost 3 years as a morning show co-host in San Diego. Then, in 2006, the infamous Power 106 Los Angeles. Along the way, I met wonderful people who supported my talent as a host and was offered a position as a television host for Jennifer Lopez’s new network, NuvoTV. I starred in the 1st season of Love & Hip Hop Hollywood and made some recurring appearances in the seasons that followed. I created a docu-series with The Style Network and appeared as a Top Talker on CBS The Talk. Along the way, I never stopped giving back to the community. They are the heart of every success I’ve had. Volunteering for several organizations, raising donations, and creating experiences for under-resourced communities.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know where to start with this question LOL. The struggles had a lot to do with being a woman and facing ‘egos’, from both men and women. At the start of my career, my English was thicker than most. As Spanish was my 1st language, so communicating was tough for me. Representation wasn’t present as I thought it had been those earlier years. A lot of gatekeeping to break through, pivoting to understand ‘corporate America.’ Navigating through instances of sexual harassment, where men misconstrue professional interactions for personal advances, is a constant challenge. The pervasive culture of the “boys’ club” further complicates matters, making it essential to seek out fellow women who understand and support your journey, having likely faced similar struggles themselves. Finding mentors or a group of allies that can empower you is important. Allyship, in both men and women, can really make someone thrive. As a young woman striving to carve out her own on-air persona and develop a business mindset, it’s disorienting to encounter higher-ups dictating how they believe you should present yourself, especially what they believe Latina to be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am now focused on passion projects. A co-founder of a local new music showcase for music lovers and discoverers. We are in transition of re-branding, but the 2 seasons of it allowed us to grow a community of those who want to hear and discover new music without the pressure of a club, concert stage, or buying tickets. We offer Free concert-like experiences in the comfort of a communal space. The artist I manage, Calista Del Toro, has allowed me to continue to my growth in music management and consulting. I’m also co-creator of The Chicano Music Festival, our 2nd festival is coming to San Diego, Ca May 5th, 2024, and more of these two projects can be found on my Instagram @YesiOrtiz.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Whether it’s with me or anyone else, entrepreneurial work is tough. If you know of anyone who is on that journey, champion them, send a text, email, or call the person to offer an acknowledgment. Yes, the world is small, but the opportunities are big, and there is plenty for everyone to thrive. The resistance of helping someone else out of fear they will be more successful than you is just unreasonable. Every individual’s path is unique, and success manifests differently for each person. There’s an abundance of opportunities and resources available, and what is meant for someone will inevitably come their way. Let’s celebrate each other’s achievements and foster growth within our community. I hope you can follow more of my journey or someone that resonates with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chicanomusicfest.com
- Instagram: YesiOrtiz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheYesiOrtiz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yesi-ortiz-58740611/
- Twitter: YesiOrtiz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR7tRePxLBmmCA7aFnYsonQ
