Ever wondered how a 13-time national elevator pitch champion crafted her art? On the latest episode of Crown Yourself, I had the honor of speaking with the "Killer Pitch Master" herself, Precious Williams. Pulling back the curtains to her journey, from launching Curvy Girls Lingerie, and pitching it to ABC's "Shark Tank," to homelessness, addiction, and bouncing back to becoming multiple Fortune 500 companies' secret weapon as a top corporate sales trainer, to #slay the competition...and her demons. Precious dives into the nitty-gritty of effective communication and how the right words can change your game. Language isn't just a tool; it's the bridge that connects your ideas to the world.

She discusses the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and storytelling in business, as well as the significance of mental health awareness and empowering women. The conversation also covers the power of collaboration and the impact of supporting one another's sovereignty. Williams provides insights into her daily routines, her definition of queendom, and the concept of crowning oneself. 

From the poverty-stricken streets of St. Louis, Missouri, to the global stage of influence, Precious L. Williams’ story of transformation is nothing less than iconic. With 28 years as an international professional speaker and corporate trainer, she has methods to empower her clients to secure millions in pitch competition winnings, secure lucrative speaking engagements, and has helped countless Fortune 500 companies outperform their competition. Her impressive client list includes BMW, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Harvard University, Columbia University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, George Washington University, Intuit Quickbooks, Yelp, and more. 

Tools & Websites:

 "The Perfect Pitch Group" - 00:00:00

"ABC's Shark Tank" - 00:00:00

"CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Black Enterprise Magazine" - 00:00:00

"LinkedIn, Google, Microsoft, Harvard University, Columbia University, Spelman College,

Morehouse College, George Washington University, Intuit QuickBooks, Yelp" - 00:01:14

The Perfect Pitch Group - (no timestamp)

Books:

Videos:

Other Mentions:

The pitch queen (00:00:00)
Introduction to Precious Williams and her expertise in elevator pitches and sales.

Precious's journey (00:01:14)
Discussion of Precious's personal story and her journey to success.

Swimming with the sharks (00:03:58)
Precious's experience and lessons learned from appearing on Shark Tank.

Components of a killer pitch (00:07:58)
Precious explains the key components of a successful pitch.

Language and aspiration in pitching (00:11:22)
The use of aspirational language and connecting with the target audience in a pitch.

Cultivating excellence (00:22:00)
Precious discusses her habits for excellence and the impact of her upbringing on her mastery of language.

Posturing versus presence (00:25:31)
Differentiating between posturing and embodying one's true self in entrepreneurship.

The journey of self-discovery (00:26:45)
Precious Williams shares her personal journey of self-discovery, including struggles, homelessness, and finding her purpose.

Advocacy and community support (00:28:02)
Precious discusses the importance of advocacy, mental health awareness, and being a voice for the less fortunate.

Empowerment and self-acceptance (00:29:23)
The conversation focuses on empowerment, self-acceptance, and the importance of supporting and uplifting others.

Challenges and growth (00:30:29)
Precious reflects on her experiences, challenges, and the growth she has undergone as an entrepreneur and advocate.

Defining success and amplification (00:31:39)
The discussion touches on the different paths to success, amplifying each other's voices, and the power of collaboration.

The weight of responsibility and service (00:40:44)
Exploring the heaviness of responsibility, societal expectations, and the distinction between care and service.

Facing challenges and embracing change (00:50:26)
Precious talks about dealing with challenges, fear of failure, and the necessity of embracing change.

Coping with loneliness and seeking support (00:50:49)
The conversation delves into coping with loneliness, reaching out for support, and the importance of genuine collaboration.

Personal growth and self-care (00:54:27)
Precious shares her coping mechanisms, personal growth journey, and the significance of self-care and seeking support.

The importance of real relationships (00:55:43)
Discussion on the significance of genuine relationships in business, the impact of authenticity, and the value of real connections.

Pivoting in challenging times (00:57:51)
Strategies for pivoting during slow sales or hardships, shifting mindset, and creating plot twists to position oneself for success.

Evolving relationships and business (00:59:21)
The evolution of relationships, the role of real connections in business growth, and the significance of listening to different perspectives.

The power of shining your light (01:05:55)
The impact of showcasing talent, building trust, and being talked about positively behind one's back, leading to business receptivity.

Changing relationships and success (01:02:36)
The importance of changing relationships around oneself to achieve success, personal growth, and leveraging talent to open new opportunities.

Authenticity and vulnerability in business (01:10:16)
The significance of sharing authentic and vulnerable aspects of oneself to connect with others, build trust, and inspire others.

Crowning yourself and living your purpose (01:18:04)
The concept of crowning oneself, living one's purpose, and believing in one's unique ability to make a positive impact.