Your Elevated Career

In this episode, join me as I sit down with Nikki King, owner of Tannins & Proof, a hospitality consulting firm focused on elevated bar programs, experiential dining, and intentional team development. Nikki is also a military spouse who has spent over a decade building what she calls a "portable career" — moving every 18 to 24 months and turning each transition into a stepping stone rather than a setback.

Nikki shares how she went from waiting tables after moving to South Korea as a newlywed at 22, to becoming a real estate agent, a fine dining professional, a level one sommelier, and ultimately the founder of her own consulting firm. Along the way, she learned to translate every skill — from retail inventory management to upsell language — into the next opportunity.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why a non-linear resume is actually a strength, not a weakness
• How to identify transferable skills and use them to get your foot in the door
• What "moving your chair to the table you want" really means
• How personal stability and a strong sense of self fuel career growth
• The importance of elevating those around you if you want to elevate yourself

• The role of daily self-investment — even if it's just 30-minutes on your commute

Whether you're feeling stuck, starting over, or ready to bet on yourself, Nikki's story will inspire you to stop waiting for the invitation and start building the career you actually want.

In this episode of Your Elevated Career, join me as I sit down with my longtime friend Rachael Jones, owner of Clover Capital Group, who manages over $30 million in multi-family properties across the Carolinas. Rachael shares her inspiring journey from her career as an engineer, to building a thriving real estate business—all while raising two kids.Discover how Rachael and her husband started with two $20,000 fixer-uppers in South Carolina, learned plumbing and drywall from YouTube, and eventually turned their side hustle into a full-time career. Rachael opens up about:• The wake-up call that sparked her real estate journey• Balancing risk and financial stability during career transitions• Building wealth through nights and weekends while keeping a W-2 job• The three income streams that make real estate powerful• How she creates community impact through multi-family properties• Finding time freedom to put family firstWhether you're considering a career change, exploring real estate, or looking for inspiration to start something new, Rachael's story proves that you can build the life you want—one small step at a time.Key Takeaway: You don't need to quit your job tomorrow or take massive risks. Start small, learn as you go, and build toward the life you want at your own pace.

In this uplifting episode of Your Elevated Career, I sit down with Priti Patel, owner of Le Petit Spa in Charlotte, North Carolina—one of the area’s most celebrated wellness destinations with over 16 years of success.

Priti shares her powerful journey of resilience, purpose, and vision—from overcoming a life-changing facial burn at just 18 to building a thriving, multi-location spa rooted in confidence and care. Her story is a reminder that our greatest challenges can often lead us directly to our calling.

In our conversation, Priti opens up about:
• Discovering her passion for skincare and aesthetics through unexpected adversity
• Building a loyal client base and growing it into a flourishing, award-winning business
• Creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment where every client feels valued
• Her empowering philosophy: focus on becoming better than you were yesterday
• Leading with intention while building and mentoring a strong, aligned team
• Navigating entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal growth with purpose
• The importance of community, collaboration, and supporting other women in business
• Staying grounded in authenticity and results instead of chasing trends

Priti’s perspective on growth and reinvention is both refreshing and motivating. Her advice for anyone considering a new path is simple yet powerful: trust the process, stay aligned with what lights you up, and give yourself the grace to evolve. As she shares, when something feels meaningful and energizing, it’s often a sign you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

This episode is for anyone ready to dream bigger, step into their purpose, and be reminded that passion, perseverance, and authenticity can create a life and career beyond what you imagined.

What if feeling uncomfortable isn’t a warning sign—but proof you’re growing?

In this solo episode, we unpack why the most meaningful career growth often feels awkward, uncertain, and anything but empowering in the moment. Through the lens of a growth mindset, join me as we explore how discomfort can be one of the clearest signals that you’re stretching into something new.

Today we will break down why progress rarely feels like progress while it’s happening, and how learning to stay in the discomfort can change the trajectory of your career.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why discomfort doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re expanding

• How to reframe skill-based and identity-based discomfort as forward movement

• Why trusting yourself matters most when things feel unclear

• How to measure progress without relying on feelings alone

• Why you don’t need certainty to move forward—just clarity on the next step

Whether you’re considering a career pivot, stepping into a new role, or simply working to grow where you are, this episode will help you navigate the messy middle with confidence and intention.

Connect with Caitlin:
Instagram: @yourelevatedcareer

Welcome to the very first episode of Your Elevated Career! On today's episode, I open up about my own career transformation—from elementary school teacher to senior leader in tech—and the pivotal moment when I realized my resume wasn't speaking the language employers wanted to hear. Join me as I break down exactly how I reframed my teaching experience to land my first corporate role, and why the same strategy can work for anyone looking to pivot careers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why your current skills are more transferable than you think
• How to translate your experience into language that resonates with hiring managers
• What to expect from Your Elevated Career podcast: communication strategies, interview skills, leadership tactics, and honest conversations about navigating workplace challenges
• Why small shifts can create real momentum in your career

Whether you're feeling stuck in your current path, burned out, or simply ready for something new, this episode will help you see your experience through a fresh lens.

Perfect for: Professionals considering a career change, teachers looking to transition into corporate roles, and anyone who wants to communicate more strategically in their career.

Welcome to Your Elevated Career, the podcast for professionals who want to communicate clearly, interview confidently, and grow their careers with intention.