Camplified recently had the pleasure of talking to the Valley Girl, Jesse Draper, an actress, host, entrepreneur, writer, and speaker (what can’t this girl do!?).
Jesse got her start with a starring role in The Naked Brothers Band, a hit Nickelodeon television show. Now, Jesse spends her time interviewing superstars in business, entertainment, and politics on her online and broadcast series The Valley Girl Show. She’s sat down with everyone from Mark Cuban to Jessica Alba to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor!
And as if hanging out with some of the world’s most influential people isn’t enough, Jesse invests in female-led startups, regularly speaks at conferences like SXSW and TEDx, and contributes to Mashable, Huffington Post, and Glam!
Check out our Q&A with Jesse below to read about her time as a camper, her favorite new companies, and which people she’s dying to interview:
Which camp did you go to?
Camp Lochearn for Girls in Post Mills, Vermont.
Your most memorable moment as a camper?
I learned to waterski and was in a waterskiing show where I got to brush my teeth while I was on waterskis. It was so fun. We sang a song while doing it…”I brush my teeth ch ch ch ch ch ch..”
How has being a camper affected you as an adult/businesswoman?
I went to sleep away camp at a very young age, I started leaving my parents every summer when I was in 4th grade for a month and I would travel across the country to go because I lived in California. I think going to camp at that age taught me how to take care of myself and not depend on my parents.
The best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have ever received would probably have to be “be nice to everyone” which my family always tells me. It’s gotten me this far in life.
Time travel: where, when, and why?
I would love to meet Susan B. Anthony who campaigned to get women to be able to vote. I am incredibly passionate about women’s rights and would love to meet her and see where the first progress was made.
Your ideal brain food?
My brain food is watching talk shows. I run “The Valley Girl Show” and am always trying to improve upon what I have created by getting ideas from other talk shows. Ellen Degeneres is one of my favorites and inspires me every day, I love that she is so positive.
You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?
I am proud of the fact that I have created a show unlike any other I have seen anywhere. An approachable business talk show.
The one person you have to interview?
OMG. There are like a gazillion. Mark Zuckerberg is number one because he is my generation, Bill Gates, HOWARD SCHULTZ because I LOVE Starbucks, Tory Burch, Marissa Mayers, the queen of England! The list goes on…I will get them all eventually. I am ruthless.
The company/product you are absolutely psyched about?
It changes ALL THE TIME. Right now I am absolutely obsessed with Taskrabbit, Learnvest and Honest Company (because I just interviewed Jessica Alba about it). Taskrabbit is a great service that helps you do whatever you need from office work to running errands. Learnvest has financially educated me and I love their founder Alexa Von Tobel who is a role model of mine and also just a cool chick.
The gadget you wish you invented?
Um, hello, the internet (does that count as a gadget?), the Apple computer (with the Steve’s, I don’t think I could have done it myself), the iPhone, the the television, ski boot heaters…otherwise my feet would freeze.
iPhone, Blackberry, or both?
Both. I mean, like, I actually have both (plus an iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab and Nook…I also travel with my jambox if we’re being honest about all the gadgets in my bag at all times).
The app everyone should have?
LEARNVEST, and then Mobli (picture taking app), and…do I really have to choose one? Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin (those are the more standard ones).
In 5 years you want to be…?
Running the most technologically savvy talk show on television. An approachable business talk show with a positive message. I’d love to be there in less than 5 years, but however long it takes, I will get there.
Tune in to Valleygirl.com and Follow me on twitter @jessedraper and please please please subscribe on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/valleygirl
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