January 13, 2020

Life and Work with Kara Bertok

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Bertok.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Some might say it started when my mom found my name in a baby book. She liked the name Kara because it started with a K like hers, Kelly. Others might blame my Grandmother’s insistence of pulling out her eight track Singing Machine at every family gathering. For me, personally, music has always been a part of me. I was your classic choir and theatre nerd growing up and I may have had a small obsession with microphones. I did get my first real microphone at age 2. I wasn’t about to sing into a hairbrush. I needed the real deal.

Like most choir and theatre nerds, I had to take a stab at New York. While I was there eating and breathing musical theatre I scored a gig hosting karaoke at a dive bar near the UN. I had a great day job in theatre advertising that I really enjoyed and this karaoke hosting thing was only once a week and it was some extra cash.

You can guess this must have been when the seed was planted. I wasn’t performing anymore so hosting was really how I got my singing fix.

A few years later, I ended up in Washington DC in a completely different career but spending most evenings with my competitive karaoke team. Yup. It’s a thing. At this point in my life, I’ve entered my 30s and everyone who knows me knows I love karaoke. I’ve gone from that choir and theatre nerd to karaoke nerd.

DC only lasted a couple of years, after getting laid off along with everyone else on my team, I headed to Los Angeles. My only sister was pregnant with her first baby and convinced me to come out and be near family again.

I did score a job pretty quickly but was laid off within the year. It was after that layoff I made myself re-evaluate some things. I really needed to do something that made me happy. But the thing that made me happiest was singing and I had no desire to be a professional singer. I can’t remember lyrics for the life of me… hence karaoke was so much fun! I was hosting at a few bars in LA but it was after I saw a girl hosting at a backyard party that the light bulb finally went off. Hosting karaoke for private parties is a thing???? Here was my answer. I took a business course and I was off… but very slowly. It took a few years (and a lot of support from my boyfriend at the time) before I could say I was a full time karaoke host. But now I am! I hired some fabulous women to help host and that boyfriend turned into my husband. While I’m based in Los Angeles, I’ve been lucky to host all over California – as far north as San Fransisco and down to San Diego (I’ve even hosted in Canada!). We do everything from kids’ parties to corporate events.

I feel very lucky to do what I love! I get to bring the joy of music to every gig and watch people have the time of their life!

Has it been a smooth road?
I would say this whole experience has been a very unexpected road.

When I made the decision to start my own business, I didn’t have much money. I spent a lot of time researching and talking to other small business owners. And I still do. I have been doing this for five years now and I’m still making mistakes and still asking a lot of questions. But along the way, I have always set goals for myself so that I’m always striving to be better and, frankly, the best at what I do.

A lot of my business is thanks to referrals. I really value my clients and their feedback. A lot of them have become like family to me. When I’m thinking about adding an element to my services or switching up my pitch, I actually ask some former clients what they think.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kara Karaoke Entertainment – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We take your karaoke experience to the next level!

Our tagline is – EXTROVERT TO INTROVERT AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN! BOOK AN EVENT YOU’LL NEVER FORGET.

This is karaoke for even the shyest person. We truly want to make sure everyone is having a blast even if they don’t want to sing.

All of the girls on my team are professional emcees AND a lot of fun!

We’re helping performers stay on key and even help out with background vocals!

We play music before the karaoke begins and in between singers. And we even have costumes and percussion to get folks in the mood.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
When you’re just starting out, I think the best thing you can do is know your competition and know what sets you apart. Never stop watching what the competition is doing! It will keep you hungry for more!

Contact Info:

Website: www.karakaraoke.com
Phone: 424-291-0504
Email: info@karakaraoke.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karakaraokeent
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraKaraokeEntertainment
Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kara-karaoke-santa-monica?osq=kara+karaoke