Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla.
Hi Priscilla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! Well, my name is Priscilla Nakane and I’m the Founder and CEO of the Dolce Vita Group which collectively includes several of my business endeavors, including The V Agency, Savvy Girl PR, and She Speaks CEO; as well as the publisher of Lux Vegas Magazine and Tech Deck Magazine. My background started out in sales, and then evolved into marketing, public relations, and event production. So I guess you could say that I’m a serial entrepreneur, lol.
I started my very first business as a fashion boutique store owner in Los Angeles over twenty-plus years ago, and through putting on marketing events for my store, my career path evolved into doing the same for other brands in the fashion and beauty space, to then launching my event and PR firms, to then adding in more businesses and endeavors, and that’s how we are here today!
So as you can see, my journey hasn’t followed a straight line. Like many bootstrapped entrepreneurs and women of color, I’ve had to carve out my own lane. I realized (early on) that traditional paths didn’t always make room for people like me. So buckled down, became laser-focused, and built my own table, brought my own chair, and carved out space to be seen. Now, I invite others to sit with me.
Starting my first small business as a young entrepreneur, and being a bootstrapped single mom brought a lot of challenges, but those challenges birthed a strong tenacity in me and that’s been my blueprint ever since: be tenacious, stay creative, stay resourceful, and never wait for permission.
So today, I’m able to sit here as
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road, far from it. Like so many female entrepreneurs – and again, especially women of color, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. One of the hardest things has been the isolation and lack of capital. Starting a business can be lonely, but doing it as a woman of color, who was also a single mother, adds another layer of adversity. There were so many moments where I didn’t know how we’d make it through the month, either emotionally or financially. I didn’t have a blueprint or a safety net, but I had a deep belief in myself and my vision.
I had to learn to advocate for myself in rooms where I was often the only woman of color, the only single mom, the only one without traditional backing or support. But every challenge shaped me. Every “no” taught me to dig deeper. I had to constantly remind myself (and still do), that my voice, my perspective, and my experiences were not just valid—they were valuable.
Starting a business can be incredibly isolating, especially when you’re doing it solo. I know what it feels like to be in a room full of people and still feel alone. I know what it’s like to juggle the demands of building something from the ground up while carrying the responsibilities of single motherhood. There were days I felt like I was pouring from an empty cup, doubting whether I was good enough, or doing enough—for my business, for my child, for myself.
But I pressed forward.
What kept me going was a deep belief that I was called to create impact. I’ve always seen the bigger picture. Whether I’m producing a live event, launching a new campaign, or helping brands find their voice, I’m driven by the idea of legacy—leaving things better than I found them. Now, empowering others, especially other women of color, has become part of my mission.
So while the road has been anything but smooth, the challenges have made me stronger, more focused, more resourceful; and now deeply committed to helping other women feel seen, heard, and supported in their own career journeys.
Today, I stand not just as a businesswoman, but as a mother, a mentor, and a builder of spaces where others can shine. I want my story to remind anyone reading this—especially women navigating tough roads—that you can do it. Put in the work, surround yourself with people that support you, and you’ll find everything you need to make it happen.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sure. So, I wear a few different hats across several companies, but the core thread that ties everything together is my passion for helping brands, businesses, and women in business amplify their voice, elevate their presence, and create impact.
I’ve spent the last two decades navigating fast-paced industries, building brands, launching campaigns, and bringing big ideas to life. I launched my first public relations and marketing agency, Savvy Girl Public Relations + Marketing, in 2007 – because I saw a need for strategy-driven, heart-centered storytelling and brand activation events. I wanted to help brands connect with real people, and I wanted to make sure the people behind those brands—especially the women—were empowered along the way. That work eventually segued into a lot of 1-on-1 business coaching, and a few years were then focused mostly on the business consulting and coaching segment of that company. I loved coaching female entrepreneurs and small business owners, it’s where I found my groove, and found my tribe.
I’ve worked with everything from global names to grassroots start-ups, helping shape narratives, build visibility, and bring communities together. Whether it’s a high-impact PR campaign or a large-scale event, I make a commitment to myself and my clients to always lead with purpose and make room for collaboration.
These days I focus most of my time leading my PR, Communication, and Strategy firm, (The V Agency), where we do a lot of high-touch brand activations, experiential events, and of course, media relations, PR, and communication strategy. This work led me to form my latest endeavor: She Speaks CEO. From working closely with both corporate and executive branding clients, my days as a business consultant and coach, public speaker, and business strategist, I’ve realized that at the core of everything I do is a deep commitment to creating spaces where people—especially women—can thrive, be seen, and be heard. So I launched She Speaks CEO to build a community of women in leadership and business that want to scale in their careers or entrepreneurship and build authentic relationships and a support system along the way.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how I’ve been able to use my platform to uplift others. I believe in being a mirror and a door—reflecting possibility and opening access to opportunities for others. Representation matters deeply to me and through founding She Speaks CEO, I’m able to contribute to that. When women, especially professional women of color, have a desire to be CEO’s, founders, and leaders, I want them to know it’s possible. It’s not always easy, but it is possible; and navigating these spaces while staying true to themselves and helping others is worth it.
She Speaks CEO is a grassroots women-in-leadership membership organization that brings women from all areas of the corporate and business landscape together to join in community, opportunity awareness, mentorship, and authentic relationships. It fosters real-life relationship building that can lead to job opportunities, sponsor and mentorships, resources, as well as personal and professional development. It’s an organization that has much to offer women already in C-suite roles, as well as those aspiring to get there. I’ve managed to carve out a space for myself in industries that often lack representation and I’ve done it with passion, purpose, and a whole lot of perseverance, and now as Founder of She Speaks CEO, I want to help others to do it also.
I’ve always been fueled by a deep passion for excellence, creativity, and community. This makes me intentional about the spaces I enter and the energy I bring. That’s part of why I love Austin—the entrepreneurial spirit here is unmatched, and the people are open, vibrant, and ready to build. We recently had our first She Speaks CEO Austin Chapter event here during SXSW 2025, and it was such a beautiful thing to witness its success and the life of its own that it took on, and that’s because there is such a need for a community and space for women in business and leadership to connect and feel connected.
We were able to activate a powerful group of women and panel discussion around really authentic and vulnerable conversations about women in leadership. We had over 1400 women interested and registered and over 250+ attendees actualized during the busy SXSW when so many other events were battling for attention. The fact that we were able to hold this event off the downtown footprint of SXSW ( at Cabana Club) and still have a great turnout speaks to the need for more events like this in Austin.
So I’m excited about producing more events of this nature here in Austin. We are currently putting together our team of leadership members for the She Speaks CEO Austin Chapter and of course, looking to work with any local brands and businesses that want to sponsor or partner with us. So if anyone wants to be involved, please reach out. Austin is an amazing city for all of this to happen in and now is the time for it!
Beyond that, She Speaks is a fantastic organization to get involved with and become a member of. I’m working hard to create a global impact with it and the response has been great so far. We are very intentional and intuitive with the programming and content we put out for our community, and we work to align authentic brands and sponsors that want to make a real social impact with their support of a women’s initiative organization such as ours.
This year our inaugural women in leadership conference will be in Denver, CO in early October, and that’s really only a short flight from Austin. It will be a 2-day event filled with impactful programming, keynotes, applicable edu-sessions, and wonderful experiences. Registration details can be found online at shespeaksceo.com and we hope to see many of our Austin friends and supporters there!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Absolutely. My biggest advice when it comes to mentorship and networking is to lead with authenticity and generosity. Don’t just seek a mentor—seek alignment. Look for people whose values, journey, and leadership style resonate with the kind of person and professional you want to become. And when you do find them, approach with respect, humility, and a willingness to add value too. Mentorship is a two-way relationship, not just a favor.
For me, the truth is—I didn’t have access to mentors when I first started. I had to figure things out on my own while juggling motherhood, school, and multiple jobs. That made it even more important to build my own network and community over time. I’ve found that the best networking comes from being real, showing up consistently, and building relationships before you need them. That’s part of why I created She Speaks CEO—because I knew what it felt like to not have a seat at the table, and I wanted to build a whole new table for women like me.
Also, if there’s one thing I’d tell any up-and-coming entrepreneur, it’s this: trust your voice. Know your value and don’t shrink to fit into spaces that weren’t designed with you in mind. You’re allowed to take up space, to lead boldly, and to redefine success on your own terms.
What’s worked well for me is pouring into others, staying connected, and not being afraid to ask for help or to offer it. Community is everything. Whether it’s through events, social media, collaborations, or just reaching out for coffee—my advice is to be intentional, be kind, and always follow up. And remember, the right people will recognize your light – just keep showing up with it.
Pricing:
- Annual Membership Pricing to become a She Speaks CEO women in business community member is just $99 per year for a limited time. They can find info at SheSpeaksCEO.com
- Our upcoming Women in Leadership Conference scheduled for October has amazingly affordable rates and an early bird special right now – Attendees can save $500 off their registration through May with a rate of just $299 (regular $799) more info is also available at www.shespeaksceo.com
- If an enterprise brand in tech, sports, entertainment or lifestyle needs impact PR, experiential, or activations, they can work with me at TheVAgency.com
- Coaching and speaking rates can be discussed by emailing me at priscilla@thedolcevitagroup.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SheSpeaksCEO.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/shespeaksceo_official
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/priscilanakane
- Other: https://TheVAgency.com
Image Credits
F1 ARCADE SHOT AND SHOTS AT THE CABANA CLUB, PLEASE CREDIT: CEDAR+CACTUS PHOTOGRAPHY
