Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Priscilla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Priscilla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story that illustrates an important or relevant lesson you learned in school
Growing up, I had always been attracted to, and a fan of, the arts. Creative arts, performing arts, or any artistic outlet that I could escape into, and then reemerge as something else, or having created something else. So my mother enrolled me in dance, theater, and acting class at a fairly young age; about eight years old. My time in performing arts taught me so much about how to work with others, read the room, and when and when not to shine, or claim the spotlight.
The performing arts taught me far more than how to deliver a line, hit a mark, or move across a stage. It taught me how to collaborate deeply with others, how to trust both myself and my teammates, and how to read the room to know when it was my moment to step forward into the spotlight and when it was someone else’s. (A trait so useful to me as a publicist).
Theater, in particular, was a kind of laboratory for life, with every rehearsal requiring patience, adaptability, and resilience. Every performance demanded focus under pressure, the ability to think quickly on my feet, and the discipline to stay present even when distractions swirled around me.
What made theater and acting so transformative was the people. Performing arts has always been a melting pot filled with introverts who come alive on stage, quirky personalities, and complex individuals who often express themselves best through performance. Working in that kind of environment taught me to appreciate people’s individuality, to respect their unique skills and contributions, and to find ways to connect with personalities different from my own. It made me comfortable with diversity long before I ever had words for it.
Those lessons didn’t stay behind in my childhood. They’ve become the foundation of how I lead today. As a public speaker, the stage doesn’t intimidate me; it feels like home. As a leader, I lean on the same skills I honed in rehearsal rooms: listening, responding in real time, and bringing out the best in others. In the corporate and entrepreneurial world, being able to connect with a wide variety of personalities, adapt quickly to unexpected challenges, and communicate with clarity and confidence has been pure gold; I believe these skills are a direct result of my time in theatre arts.
My ability to relate, lead, and thrive in almost any setting goes back to putting in the work as a student of the performing arts.
Priscilla, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, I often describe myself as a builder, a hub, and a bridge. I’m a founder, CEO, publisher, and brand strategist who has spent more than two decades creating platforms that help brands amplify their voice and expand their reach. My career path began in retail, hospitality, and even municipal government—roles that shaped how I understand people, service, and systems. Combined with my performing arts background, they prepared me to thrive in public relations, events, and media, where storytelling, presence, and connection are everything.
Today, I lead The Dolce Vita Group, the umbrella for several ventures I’ve built:
– The V Agency – brand activations and experiential PR for tech, sports, and entertainment
– Social Beauty PRO – PR, social media, and marketing for beauty services, med-aesthetics, and cosmetic surgeons
– Savvy Girl PR – PR and communications for fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and female-focused brands
– She Speaks CEO – a women’s leadership platform and national conference
– Lux Vegas Magazine – a luxury lifestyle publication
– Tech Deck Magazine – an emerging technology publication
…and a few other projects and developments.
But each of these brands reflects a piece of who I am: a creative strategist, entrepreneur, and visionary leader committed to making a lasting impact.
At the core of all my work is storytelling with purpose. I help clients craft narratives that build genuine connection, drive visibility, and inspire inclusivity. That might mean producing brand activations that are neurodiverse-compliant, weaving social impact into PR campaigns, or publishing magazines that celebrate underrepresented innovation, diverse leadership, and inclusive luxury.
Beyond running my own ventures, I also serve as a fractional executive, stepping into companies to help them scale teams, sharpen their brand, or grow revenue without the cost of a full-time C-suite hire. With 20+ years of experience across marketing, sales, and leadership, I bring both strategic vision and hands-on execution to fast-growing businesses.
I’m also deeply committed to giving back—coaching startups, mentoring women entrepreneurs, and helping leaders build with clarity and confidence. Having been a scrappy entrepreneur myself, I know the realities of building with limited resources. That perspective fuels my drive to guide others through the pitfalls I had to learn the hard way.
What sets me apart is my dual lens: I can see the big picture like a strategist but also roll up my sleeves to execute with precision. I’ve been the entrepreneur building from scratch without capital, and I’ve been the trusted leader producing large-scale events, managing teams, and shaping national platforms. That range allows me to serve not just as a service provider, but as a true partner who understands both the grind and the growth.
What I’m most proud of, beyond raising my three children, is the social impact embedded in my work. She Speaks CEO, in particular, is my heart. It’s a movement designed to amplify women in leadership—especially women of color and those who’ve had to fight through adversity to rise. Our She Speaks CEO Women in Leadership Conference, launching in Denver in May 2026, will be a defining milestone: a gathering that brings powerful voices together, fosters authentic community, and changes the conversation around what modern leadership looks like.
If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: I believe success must be purpose-driven. I’m not here to make noise for the sake of it or simply build a personal brand. I’m here to build brands with impact, elevate voices that deserve to be heard, and prove that women—from all backgrounds—can lead at the highest levels with both power and authenticity.
Ultimately, everything I do ties back to the legacy I want to leave for my children. As kids of mixed ethnicities and different abilities (Autism and Down Syndrome), they will face unique challenges. I want them to know their mother built spaces for women of color to thrive, for neurodivergent individuals to be included, and for people of all abilities to be embraced. That is the mark I aim to leave on the world.
Any advice for managing a team?
When it comes to managing a team and building high morale, my philosophy has always been rooted in mentorship, grace, and accountability.
I believe the best leaders start by focusing on the individual. If you can mentor a person to reach their full potential, giving them knowledge, tools, and opportunities to grow, they’ll naturally feel more confident, motivated, and aligned with the larger mission. Once individuals are thriving, then you can bring everyone together around shared goals and outcomes as a team.
When challenges or shortfalls arise, I focus first on addressing them at the team level before isolating the individual. Often breakdowns aren’t caused by a single person, but by communication gaps, unclear expectations, or processes that need improvement. In tackling the issue as a group first, you build trust, create psychological safety, and reinforce the idea that “we succeed or stumble together.”
That said, accountability is still essential. I believe in correcting with both grace and assertion. I hold people responsible while also guiding them toward better performance. It’s not about punishment; it’s about growth. High-performing teams thrive when they know their leader is both empathetic and uncompromising about standards.
Finally, I always try to provide not just feedback, but the advice for professional growth. That means giving people stretch opportunities, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed long term.
Leading with this balance of mentorship, accountability, and empowerment is what creates high morale. People want to feel seen, supported, and challenged, and when they do, they not only rise to their own potential, they lift the whole team with them.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
For me, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has always started with relationships.
In my early days as a consultant, corporate event planner, and luxury wedding planner, growth was built on face-to-face connections. Meeting people in person, building genuine relationships, and earning trust became the backbone of how I gained clients. In the luxury wedding space in particular, referrals were everything. That meant my standards had to be impeccable—flawless attention to detail, consistent excellence, and a level of service that left clients eager to recommend me. That foundation of trust and word-of-mouth credibility has carried through every chapter of my career.
As I shifted into PR and marketing, I evolved those same principles into scalable strategies. One of the smartest moves I made was launching my own magazines. That created a built-in platform for clients, giving them direct access to editorial placement opportunities that amplify their visibility. It’s been a game-changing differentiator—and honestly, I call it my boss move (laughs)—because it allows me to add unique value while also strengthening my brand ecosystem.
Another key growth driver has been intentionally designing my companies to work together. While they touch different industries: PR, media, events, consulting, they’re interconnected by the common thread of helping brands grow. Because my services are holistic and full-circle, clients can scale with me across multiple stages of their journey. This approach increases the long-term value of each relationship, making it a win for both my clients and my companies.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thevagency.com and shespeaksceo.com
- Instagram: @priscillanakane and @shespeaksceo_official
- Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/priscillanakane
- Other: Additional platforms:
SavvyGirlPR.com
SocialBeautyPro.com
TechDeckMag.com
LuxVegasMagazine.com
