What We Cover in This Episode:

Replay + Breakdown of My SCMSDC #1 Pitch (and why that wasn’t even my goal)

This episode isn’t just for business owners, it’s for leaders, job seekers, and anyone navigating relationships (yes, even the hard conversations with loved ones). Whether:

• You're pitching an idea at your next team meeting
• Prepping for a job interview
• Or presenting to a client

This episode is your reminder that pitching isn’t just about “selling,” it’s about being understood.

🎧 Listen in for the replay of the pitch that won me first place at the SCMSDC competition and the real story behind it. You'll hear:

• The full 2-minute pitch
• My strategy and thought process behind each line
• How I actually hit my entire 2024 revenue goal by May 2025 and increased profit by 41%
• What I cut, what I focused on, and how I’ve stayed true to my values through it all

Resources Mentioned:

• Download the free Team Dashboard: elainelou.com/dashboard
• Episode 5: Time & Energy Management to Get Your Life Back | Listen on Apple or Spotify
• Episode 23: How to Get Clients with Ease Through Referrals & Renewals | Listen on Apple or Spotify

Where We Can Connect:
Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/call
Check out our 320 client reviews
Follow the Podcast on Apple
Follow the Podcast on Spotify
Follow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_
Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou Cartas
Check out our other podcasts for Women of Color

What We Cover in This Episode:

I always get asked, ““Elaine, how are you even getting all these speaking gigs and clients when you don’t even have 5,000 followers on IG or LinkedIn!?”

Great question. And the truth is... I don’t. 😅

But what I do have are real relationships and a strategy that works offline.

I’m headed to the B3 Conference for Minority Business Owners next week in LA—where I’ll be speaking, pitching (as a finalist!), and meeting with procurement officers from companies that are actually hiring. There’ll also be corporate matchmaking tables to help you land real contracts, not just another stack of business cards.

And before you ask I know you're nosy, but I can’t name-drop because, you know... NDAs.

Let’s just say... you definitely know this company 😜

Want to join me IRL in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 8?

Click here to register and use the code B350 for $50 off and use that on gas cause you kno… LA

I’ve also secured 2 more speaking gigs for July and August.

And no, I didn’t get them from a viral reel or perfect pitch deck.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• How I really book speaking gigs and high-paying clients and I don’t have 5k followers
• 3 real-life stories of how I landed gigs and actual strategies and how you can too
• Tangible, non-sleazy networking tips you can use today without being a sleazy car sales-person

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 61: How I Became #1 on Google, and how you can too with Andres Aguero, 30 mins | Listen on Apple or Spotify
• My 300+ client reviews: elainelou.com/reviews
• Want to network with companies like Disney, Bank of America, or Chase? Get certified via nmsdc.org
• Center for Executive Coaching (for you coaches who want that legit certification)

Where We Can Connect:
Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/call
Check out our 314 client reviews
Follow the Podcast on Apple
Follow the Podcast on Spotify
Follow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_
Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou Cartas
Check out our other podcasts for Women of Color

“Ugh that generation is so entitled!” But are they really? As Jackie Dacanay shares, “The problem isn’t Gen Z asking so much, it’s not having the conversation early enough.”

So how do you lead a team made up of Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers especially when there are unspoken biases, stereotypes, and different values at play?

In this fireside chat I had at HR Retail, I talk with Jackie Dacanay, Northern California Regional Director of Service Culture & Engagement at Fairmont Hotels, about how to build inclusive, values-aligned workplaces that actually support multi-generational teams—and boost retention while doing it.

Also: Did you know Jackie’s a hula champion and motorcyclist? And I’ve been doing Muay Thai (yes, Thai kickboxing—the art of 8 limbs, punching, kicking, knees and elbows!) for 21 years. So, we know a thing or two about discipline and collaboration 👊🏽

In this replay we talk about:

• How Fairmont improved retention from 50% → 80% using values-based coaching
• Why younger employees expect growth within 6–8 months (and what to do about it)
• How to create consistent, non-performative conversations around failure
• The coaching & mentoring frameworks Jackie built to support every level—not just execs
• Repositioning “growth” beyond just titles and raises

Hot tip from Jackie:
“Luxury isn’t about fancy words. It’s about emotional connection.”

Resources Mentioned:

Jackie’s LinkedIn and YouTube

Where We Can Connect:
Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/call
Check out our 314 client reviews
Follow the Podcast on Apple
Follow the Podcast on Spotify
Follow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_
Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou Cartas
Check out our other podcasts for Women of Color