Meet Alejandra Copeland | Pitch and Presentation Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alejandra Copeland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alejandra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process for starting Ok Yes was organic. Before launching Ok Yes Storytelling Services, I’ve owned Andromeda, a video production company in Miami.

We create countless pitch presentations, promotional content, and help-and-how-to videos for tech companies.

These tech companies are under pressure to deliver a good and consistent message, whether in a pitch room or on social media.
So, I figured out the patterns that make a winning story, regardless of the message’s setting.

That’s how I put together the foolproof storytelling method behind Ok Yes. I took years of narrative insights and made them available to every startup founder and small business owner.

What’s the one thing outsiders are unaware of?

Most business owners are unaware they already know how to pitch, but upon hearing the word pitch, they just freeze.

So, this insight applies to anyone that manages a company: no one knows your business better than you do.

When pitching, these managers may know what to say but not how to say it. So, they end up second-guessing their story, and that’s when their pitch fails—what a way to ruin a first impression.

I have a very simple solution for this problem: to look at how their business helps clients. Analyze what’s your client’s problem, how they fail, and how your solution comes in to save the day.

A good look at the customer story is the best way to kickstart a pitch. Also, being precise and brief is key when talking about any business.

On risk-taking:

My career has grown on risks. When I was 19 years old, I rolled the dice and went to study visual communications in Paris, France. When I moved to New York at 24, dreaming of working at MTV with no job offer or connections, I took a huge gamble. And that was just the beginning.

Taking on a new business such as Ok Yes is no doubt a big risk. Aside from storytelling services, Ok Yes will become a pitch-generation platform where anyone can develop a pitch overnight.

Now, I’m a video producer turned tech founder. This is the first time I’ve launched a product, so this one is for the books.

The stakes are high for me with Ok Yes. But I try hard, and I believe in the impact of what I’m creating. It’s scary, but I’m going in full throttle. After all, every risk I’ve ever taken has paid off.

Thing that contributed to my success:

I heard a quote a few years ago that stuck since: walk alone if you want to go fast, walk together if you want to go far.

Having a solid support system has been vital for my success. My husband and family quarterback every plan I make. When I feel down or need advice, they bring me up. And when things come out great, they are with me to celebrate the wins.

But, when it comes to growth, having a reliable team is a key factor. Delegating and trusting other professionals to help me develop content for my clients has been the best investment I have ever made.

It’s not a secret that finding the team you need takes time. As a manager, you have to understand not everyone’s cut for every task. So, finding how talent fits in a company is about giving each person a fair chance.

Most important factor behind the success of my brand

Beyond great storytelling and content creation, my success stems from inserting myself into my client’s team. It’s not about ‘what’ I do, but ‘why’ I do it.

I always tell my clients: I must be able to speak on your behalf to do my work right. So, I look past the scope of work and put myself in my client’s shoes. I dive into their goals and what’s at stake until I internalize their issues as my own.

As a result, my clients get content that feels like they wrote themselves. And when that happens, they become one with their pitch right away. That’s how I know I created a pitch that will win.

Most difficult decision:

I strive to make difficult decisions every day. That is, to stay focused, to have discipline, and to be kind to me. I’m a multitasker, so it’s easy for me to get sidetracked.

That’s why I have a serious morning routine and always work in sprints. Every minute of my day is accounted for, and I take the time to plan my next day.

I try not to beat myself too hard when things don’t come out as expected. I aim to celebrate the small wins and be grateful for the work I get to do.

Work-Life balance:

I’m not going to lie. I struggle with work-life balance, but I sure do my best!

When you work in video production as I do, unexpected jobs come and wipe weeks off your schedule. It’s a surefire way to throw work-life balance out of the window.

But I’ve been a business owner and producer for over 20 years, so I know having a good team is key to achieving balance. You’ll never find work-life balance when you do everything yourself. So, invest in nurturing a team to help you offset those peak moments.

Also – power naps! When I feel overwhelmed, I just take a 20-min nap. I wish I had known about that tip earlier in life.

Favorite affirmation / what do you like about it

Mark Twain’s ‘If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.’

For me, it’s easy to put off tedious tasks. So, I pack the hard stuff early in the morning when I have the most energy and focus. And then, when I’m done, I feel super accomplished.

Why did I pursue a creative career:

I’ve always been an outcast and done things my way. When I lived in Caracas in the ’90s, I was obsessed with MTV. In fact, I learned English by watching the subtitles in Metallica and Guns and Roses music videos on MTV.

My dream was to work at MTV. I was willing to do whatever it took to get there. And I did. I took countless interviews and tries, but I succeeded.

My first gig with MTV was in New York’s Time Square, the home of MTV Networks. I’ll always remember my first day as an editor there, walking through the doors of 1515 Broadway.

What do you want people to remember about me:

I’m an instrument to my clients. I want to create content that transcends time. I seek to make pitches that will change the course of a company and succeed.

That’s going to be my legacy. The impact I’m leaving behind is by empowering the leaders and visionaries that design the future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Visit downtown Coral Gables! It’s grown to be a fantastic place to eat and have fun.

We love to take our Moke electric car for a ride to Giralda Avenue, bump into friends, and have drinks while the kids run around,

We love to go to Cebada Rooftop for cocktails and Calista Seafood Taverna for grilled fish and lemon potatoes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My support system and team

Website: sayokyes.com

Instagram: sayokyed