Why Energy and Professionalism Get Performers Booked Again and Again

David Perez (00:00)
their energy. Immediately, if you’re in a room with one person and I’m that one person looking, I’m just looking. And I want to see if you’re still gonna hype up, if you’re still gonna try to engage with me, are you still gonna try to be there? As soon as I see that in a performer, I know they’re good. I know they’re top tier entertainers. I know that they love what they do. It’s all about the energy you give and the energy that comes back.

Scott Bursey (00:58)
Welcome back to the Real Estate Pros podcast, powered by Investor Fuel. I’m your host, Scott Bursey. Glad you’re with us. And today we’re pleased to be joined by David Perez, who is the owner and operator of Mic’d Up Entertainment in Houston, Texas. David brings over seven years of industry experience from auditioning on American Idol Season 20 to competing in Ryan Seacrest’s top host competition. Listeners, you can expect a deep

dive into building a live performance brand, connecting top talent with event organizers, and expanding an entertainment company nationwide. David, welcome to the show.

David Perez (01:38)
Thank you so much for having me, Scott. It’s such a pleasure for you to be on the show and to be with the people. Scott is gonna lead us today so I can help you guys learn more about the entertainment industry.

Scott Bursey (01:49)
It is just awesome having you here, my friend, to help our listeners get up to speed. Please give us the ninety second highlight reel of how your career ignited and where you’re pouring your fuel now.

David Perez (02:02)
Right, it started off in the pews of church, going with mom to church every day, learning how to sing, being with kids, and learning from the school teacher. As I grew up, then I went on to bigger and better things, and eventually I started being in bands and then I started performing and doing all types of events. And currently I’m finding myself in event coordination and with my company. Currently we are working on making the best event coordinations we can.

all the way over here in Houston, Texas. And that is what we would love to help others with and book talent and keep it going.

Scott Bursey (02:37)
Thank you for highlighting your background, David. It’s truly remarkable. And what really caught my attention about you was the way you’ve been able to take an American Idol setback, if you will, pivot into launching your own live company, and turn local Houston gigs into a national platform for upcoming talent. Taking that a step further, curious to know what is working best for you right now in booking.

Live gigs.

David Perez (03:05)
Right, the best thing you can do is give your business card, give your information. You have to logo everything that you have. And from there, I would also say when the client contacts you, have clear business hours and a disclaimer. So that way, whenever you book the client, they know what hours are available. If you have any clients call you.

I know AI is huge, but I wouldn’t personally recommend it all the way. Maybe for the phone calls to answer them, hold them, answer some questions, and then you can get back to the phone call later. You answer it, then you get back to the call, you know what they want, then you can talk to them. It’s always good to have those business hours so you can talk to the clients and really find in those gaps in between to really help the client feel at home, at ease, and know what they’re gonna commit to.

Scott Bursey (03:55)
David, what is your strategy on keeping those venues coming back time after time?

David Perez (04:01)
biggest thing is perform, perform, perform. Don’t be afraid to perform. When you go to that venue, you give your all, you listen to the guests, maybe they say lower the music down a little bit, and you lower that tune and you keep that level there. I think one of the biggest things too is dress to impress. When you go to any event, you dress to the event’s code, standards, you go to the themes, and by doing so,

The event venue host and owners, if they’re there, they’re gonna see you, they’re gonna get your business card information. Another good strategy is to go to your surrounding event venues and you leave your business cards. So if they say we can’t afford this event venue, they can afford you. And then you can offer coordination, you can offer what you have expertise-wise.

Scott Bursey (04:48)
David, looking at the flip side, what is the biggest struggle in your business that you see today?

David Perez (04:54)
The biggest struggle I would say is trust. And being okay with opening up the doors to other people and companies. Obviously in the industry, once there’s some people that you can’t trust, you don’t work with them, but that’s okay. You always find other new starting talent, you connect with them. And by doing those connections, you’re able to really thrive and help others.

Scott Bursey (05:19)
Thanks for opening up on that challenge right there, David. And flipping the growth. Where are you seeing the best opportunity right now in events?

David Perez (05:28)
nationwide. It’s all over the United States. It’s not just in Houston. It’s in California. It’s in Florida. There’s so many markets to tap into. You just have to be able to market your profile. You have to be able to market your company. And when you start marketing it very well, typically what happens is that word starts spreading around with referrals. And then people get your number.

And then they’re like, hey, they had you in Houston. We’re in California. And you tell them, I can do it, but I do charge for travel rates. So it’s always important to keep all these things in mind when booking. And the client will take care of you, especially if they want you. The client already knows they want you. You just have to be able to stick your foot on the ground, breathe, talk with them, and work within it.

Scott Bursey (06:18)
What’s your next big move to expand outside of the Houston market?

David Perez (07:02)
Top Host is my next big move. I’m in a competition where Ryan Secrets is having us. Currently, I’m in fourth place in my group. the top 20 come out on the 14th of October. So the more votes I get, the more ability I’ll have to join Top Host. I’ll get six podcasts that I’ll be able to produce. I’ll get $25,000 that I’ll be able to help my company, my family, and my debt for. And not only that.

When I am able to expand and push the company and go beyond that, all of that will be able to help kids like me. And I do a foundation for kids who have single moms, single dads, single households. And that way I can be able to help them. And then the government can fund it. And we’re looking at bigger and better things for the future.

Scott Bursey (07:47)
Love that growth vision. Shifting gears. What concerns you the most in this market?

David Perez (07:54)
the biggest thing is with AI, are people still going to pursue their talent? Or are they gonna commit to AI and forget to do the arts and forget to do math, science? We need all types of people for everything. You need the accountant to accountant the business. You need the talents so you can book them. You need the agent who can do the booking and talk.

You need the back office. You need the front office. There’s so many moving parts to every business. And that’s what I’m here for. That’s what you’re here for. We’re here to clarify and open the room to these things.

Scott Bursey (08:32)
Thank you for bringing light to that risk right there. And David, if somebody’s listening and they’re thinking to themselves, hey, this is somebody that I’d really like, what would you like them to know first about Mic’d Up Entertainment?

David Perez (08:46)
Mic’d Up Entertainment is for the people, by the people, for the families, for the people who need entertainment. Not only that, I want you to know, child, mother, wherever you are, entertainment is for everyone. And you can literally get on YouTube. You can learn how to dance, how to sing, and how to do so many things. And that’s what we’re here for.

Scott Bursey (09:10)
Always wanted to ask, what’s the key to spotting top tier talent before anyone else does?

David Perez (09:16)
It’s always about the interaction, First, when you see someone out there, they walk to your booth or they walk to you and they request something. I was at a party about a few days ago. It was on a Friday, and we were doing a middle school kind of party.

There’s a young kid there who did the Michael Jackson moves and everything. So when I saw him dance, I was like, this is the future. I saw another kid where he was singing on my mic, and they told him, keep going. And he’ll singing human nature by Michael Jackson. When you find that talent, you connect with them, you wait for them to get of age, and you pay them what they’re worth. Another talent that I was able to spot is through competition.

She is a singer, she songwrites, she’s in the church, and she has her own band. You connect with them, you get their inquiries and you help out from there. good attitude, good energy, ambiance, and all the rest will follow.

Scott Bursey (10:16)
What makes an entertainer stand out to you instantly?

David Perez (10:19)
their energy. Immediately, if you’re in a room with one person and I’m that one person looking, I’m just looking. And I want to see if you’re still gonna hype up, if you’re still gonna try to engage with me, are you still gonna try to be there? As soon as I see that in a performer, I know they’re good. I know they’re top tier entertainers. I know that they love what they do. It’s all about the energy you give and the energy that comes back.

I for instance, Scott, if you were to let’s say be an entertainer, I would book you because you smile, you respond, you listen, and you have so much great interaction. Things like that are what you look for an MC or a dancer or a singer.

Scott Bursey (11:01)
It’s really all about the vibe. David, if you could fill us in on what does your professional network look like right now?

David Perez (11:45)
we’re expanding all the way through the United States and really connecting with other people and individuals.

Scott Bursey (11:52)
How are you building ties with major event coordinators?

David Perez (11:56)
Basically you do a good job in one event, then you record it, send it to them, when they see that video, they put you as a preferred vendor, and then you get booked out.

Scott Bursey (12:07)
Solid insight, David. Solid insight right there. Getting down to the brass tacks, what is the best piece of advice for a performer trying to build a real estate or real business behind their talent right now?

David Perez (12:22)
If you’re trying to real estate your business and really push it, save, save, save. Market correctly and invest. That’s the biggest thing for any entertainer. And once you do all of that, you’re set because now you have the equipment, now you can book yourself.

Always make sure to read whatever agreements you’re signing and make sure to cancel them because there’s usually two years of gap space that you need to respect within every company that you work for. Or do it by yourself too.

Scott Bursey (12:53)
That is pure gold right there, David. And David, you have given us a lot of really, really good words of wisdom and perspective on the entertainment business here today. But is there any additional golden nugget or two that you like to leave with our listeners?

David Perez (13:10)
Absolutely. When you’re in front of the client, treat them the best. When a client requests something, give them what they want. Whenever you’re performing, make sure to be genuine. People can feel when you have a grateful heart and when you are ready to shine and help others shine. And remember, the entertainment is only as good

as those on the other side.

Scott Bursey (13:36)
That’s powerful. What great perspective right there. Thank you for sharing. And for those of our listeners that want to keep this conversation moving, what is the best way for them to plug into your pipeline, David, and reach you directly?

David Perez (13:50)
If you go to my Instagram, David Perez Sounds, is how I have all my platforms. feel free to contact me via phone number 281-731-8217, and we can send you information about Mic’d Up Entertainment, David Perez, the DJ, number one kids show DJ, and so on.

Scott Bursey (14:12)
David, thank you so much for joining us today.

David Perez (14:15)
Thank you so much, Investor Fuel and Scott, for having me.

Scott Bursey (14:18)
And to our listeners, we appreciate you. If you receive value from today’s episode, please subscribe. We’ll be filling your tanks with a lineup of a leak guest, just like David Perez, who is making serious moves in the entertainment industry. Until next time, keep your standards high and your vision clear. We’ll see you in the next episode, everyone.