Here’s your host: Matt!
When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same: a game show host! Now, in my forties, I am finally living out my childhood dream by owning Here’s Your Host LLC and creating custom game shows for a living!
I grew up in the quaint village of Mendon, Michigan where I was involved in every un-sporty school activity that was offered, like band, yearbook, student government, and of course quiz bowl. I was always creating games for my friends and family to play; in fact, you could say I was building the foundation of this business in my teens when I would create and host a music trivia game at my family reunion each year (a tradition that still continues!).
I went to college at Ferris State University where I was heavily involved in extra curricular activities. My senior year I chaired the Homecoming Committee, and I heavily lobbied for The Price Is Right inspired theme of: “Come On Down to Homecoming”, all about game shows. It was approved and I had one of the best weeks of my life creating game show themed events for the students on campus (which even included a real live Supermarket Sweep I hosted where contestants ran through the aisles filling up shopping carts!).
My post-college professional career has included working for two universities and a non-profit organization, planning events of all different sizes. I always strived to make each event memorable and unique, something I carry with me today into my custom trivia game shows. Working on diverse university campuses also instilled in me a drive to make events as inclusive and welcoming as possible. As a part time job for fun, I also took up a gig as a pub trivia host at a local brewery.
When COVID hit in March of 2020, I was laid off from both of my jobs. The first week of quarantine I came up with the idea of hosting an online trivia night for my friends and family as a way to keep them entertained during lockdown. I did a live stream on Facebook and a LOT of people participated (I mean, there really wasn’t much else to do! Ha!). This was the first ever “Tuesday Trivia with Matt”. People had so much fun they asked me to do it again the next week, and the week after that, and they started inviting their friends. Pretty soon, I had a crew of devoted trivia players that tuned in each week from all over the country, and even internationally! Now Tuesday Trivia with Matt lives on, each week, on Zoom!
I also began to host private events for people celebrating birthdays and baby showers while in lockdown. These custom trivia game shows allowed me to showcase my creativity and love for game shows in a way I had never imagined. I decided to take the leap to start my own business and Here’s Your Host LLC was born. With over 220 private events and 100 weekly Tuesday games, I am truly getting to live out my childhood dream!
I believe in: racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, women’s rights, supporting small and local businesses, the power of positivity, doing the next right thing
I love: pizza, reality competition shows, board games, the number 4, pop music, road trips and roadside attractions
I live: in Grand Rapids, Michigan with my wonderful husband Alex. He is a vital part of Here’s Your Host as he serves as scorekeeper for almost every show 💜