Fortune Favors the Bold: How One Woman Built Her Own Stage--And Dominated
In the crowded landscape of business coaches and corporate trainers, few individuals command attention quite like Precious L. Williams. Known as "The Rainmaking Speaker," Williams has transformed countless entrepreneurs from fumbling through forgettable pitches to delivering compelling presentations that convert to cash. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with this dynamic force in the business world, whose journey from Shark Tank contestant to global speaking phenomenon offers valuable insights for anyone looking to elevate their professional presence.
Williams, the Founder and CEO of Perfect Pitch Group, boasts an impressive resume as a 13-time national elevator pitch champion and 5-time #1 bestselling author. Her client roster reads like a who's who of corporate America—BMW, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Blackstone, Verizon, and many more. But what truly distinguishes Williams is her authentic approach to success, maintaining her signature energy and unwavering passion throughout her meteoric rise.
Her 2024 accolades alone tell a compelling story: the Bada## Women in Herstory award, Legacy Award in Entrepreneurship, The Spectrum Circle Award for "Innovative Women in Small Business," Black Connect "Business Leader of the Year," and finalist for NAWBO National's "Women Business Owner of the Year." Most recently, she added the Smart Speaker Award, Career Optimizer, and Bowery Mission Mary Bell Community Engagement Alumnae Award to her growing collection of recognitions.
As we delve into our conversation, Williams shares the philosophy behind her success and the strategies that have helped her clients transform their pitches "from TRASH to straight CASH!"—a trademark approach that has revolutionized how businesses present themselves to investors, clients, and the world.
Please Share Your Story:
I am a full figured diva who took the business world by storm and won BIG!!!!!!!! From the mean streets of the inner city of St. Louis, MO, I am a TOP Fortune 100 corporate sales trainer, teaching them how to take their sales, media, or elevator pitches from TRASH to straight CASH! I’m a world-class speaker/trainer for global brands including BMW, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Blackstone, Verizon, SiriusXM, HubSpot, Conde Nast, Harvard University, Columbia University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, George Washington University, Intuit Quickbooks, Yelp, and more. As an international professional speaker, I’m hired to Keynote global conferences, summits, and events. Whether you are a company, law firm, professional school, entrepreneur, a business leader, a salesperson, or an individual, I can train you to slay all competition and become the only choice that matters.
I am also a 13-time national elevator pitch champion, a 5X #1 bestselling author, and a world-class speaker and trainer for global brands and institutions. My clients have successfully appeared on ABC's “Shark Tank," CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Black Enterprise Magazine, and we have taught our clients how to win millions of dollars in pitch competition money, secure lucrative speaking and corporate training contracts, and launch their next beautiful NOW. Our mission is to empower you to communicate your value, showcase your expertise, and inspire your audience with your story. It's time for you to join the Rainmaking Speaking Movement and learn how to #SlayAllCompetition.
At PPG, we offer Resources, Speaking Experiences, and Rainmaking as well as Sales, Business Development, and Client Acquisition Training Programs for companies, sales teams, law firms, and individuals. Step into innovative sales and learn to pitch yourself as the only choice that truly matters.
You’ve built your own table instead of waiting for a seat at someone else’s. What advice do you have for women who are tired of being overlooked but don’t know where to start?
Start building a community like you mean it. Reach out to those you admire, DM them, request a connection and send a real message with no agendas. Go to events that actually make sense for who you are and want to do. Also, get out of your comfort zone and try going to painting events, candle making, dance, causes, etc. You will meet others you would never meet at networking events! Build your own community. Be interested in others and call just because! They will remember that!
Many women struggle with imposter syndrome, especially when stepping into high-stakes conversations. How did you develop the unshakable confidence you have today, and how can other women do the same?
My unshakable confidence comes from above and having a trusted network of heroes and SHEroes I can call on to remind me of who I am. That comes from being there for others as they may have been shaky, sending love notes just because of calling at the moment when they felt alone. I am not always the greatest at confidence but when I go into meetings, I pray, know that I am supposed to be there and let GOD do the rest because I am prepared!
You often say that a pitch isn’t just about selling—it’s about storytelling. What’s one storytelling technique every female entrepreneur should master to captivate their audience?
Knowing which stories are for that particular audience. When I train sales teams or present sales, my stories revolve around numbers, refusing to give up, and triumphing over all sales odds. If it is women focused events or special keynote, my stories focus on hitting rock bottom and getting super focused in changing the poverty mindset internally and externally. If it's off the cuff speaking, then I pay attention to attendees to feel and hear what they need me to speak to in those moments. As a speaker, I always ask for the demographics and psychographics of attendees so I stay on point. Then as I enter the room, it's important to just meet people without addressing that I am the speaker. I just want to meet them, shake hands, hug and feel energy and go from there!
A lot of women hesitate to charge premium prices for their work. How can they shift their mindset and confidently ask for what they’re truly worth?
The truth is we are not in the best economy. So premium prices may not be where everyone else is right now. Does that mean you don't ask for premium prices? No! It may mean changing your offerings a bit to make it palatable for some. Companies may not pay what they used to because finances aren't there. But still offer something of value and remove certain things to make it worth your while too. Remember, no matter what, make a compelling case for what you bring to the table and how it will enhance, save time and money, bring greater visibility and sales and defend it with receipts. That changes minds quickly. You also see if this prospect is worth your time and effort too!
Every entrepreneur faces rejection. How do you personally handle hearing ‘no,’ and what’s your strategy for turning setbacks into comebacks?
No's come with the life of entrepreneurship. Having been an entrepreneur for 14 years, I have decided that No = Next opportunity. I can cry and lick my wounds for a day or two and then I am back on it. No grass grows under my feet. I keep going and surprisingly, those who said no come back a year or two later with open arms and wallets. They are ready and saw that I kept going and getting bigger and bigger with my results for BIG companies, foundations, and private associations.
You’ve built powerful relationships with major brands and corporations. What’s your approach to networking in a way that feels authentic and leads to real opportunities?
I never ask "what do you do?' The worst question puts people on having to defend themselves and who they are automatically. I walk into groups of people talking and say "can I come into this group? What are we talking about? This looks like the cool kids table! I want in. Can I join?' They start laughing and it breaks the ice, they smile and it becomes easy because throughout these conversations, I will glean who they are and what they do in a roundabout way! I am all about the unconventional and making people feel at ease and laugh.
What’s the most fulfilling part of the work you do, and what legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of female entrepreneurs?
The most fulfilling part of my journey is watching my clients achieve or exceed their goals in terms of sales, visibility, etc. I even love when they realize that the path they chose was too small or did not fit them or they begin to see that the audience they wanted was not it. There is another one waiting to hear from them and buy in a totally different industry! The tears, the love, the support and being compensated well for what I bring! And how my clients shine!
What’s the biggest mistake you see women making in their pitches, and how can they fix it immediately?
The biggest mistake I see women making in their pitches is being boring and feeling like they are running down their resumes. Your pitch should make them excited about possibilities. A pitch should make it clear why you are the only choice that matters. Let them know and a pitch should be a juicy morsel not the full meal deal. 30-90 seconds is not long so focus on their needs, how you can serve it in a way no one else can, give your secret sauce/a couple of receipts and clear call to action!
You’ve pitched on some of the biggest stages, including ‘Shark Tank.’ What was the most unexpected lesson you learned from that experience?
An unexpected lesson I learned from my "Shark Tank" experience was to do the unexpected. When I walked into that Tank, I knew that my outfit had to let them know that I am a full figured diva who will blow your mind! I started my pitch by looking all 5 Sharks in the eye and put on a performance that left them shook! Yes, I knew my numbers, had a compelling story, challenged their assumptions of what a plus size woman can do who is NOT in entertainment and just when they thought I was done, I flipped the script and brought out the final part of my pitch! They were blown! They there questions my way but I knew that they knew I was no lightweight and sliced and diced through those questions. I am a 13x national pitch champion for a reason. I was not scared at all. I knew the audience at home would be blown at my moxie, courage, and the way I commanded the Tank and stood on business!
What’s one piece of ‘bad business advice’ you’ve been given that you completely ignored — and it worked in your favor?
One piece of bad business advice I received was "you are too fat, too black and do not have an Ivy League degree! Who do you think will ever invest in you?" I decided that I will and let the naysayers watch me make it BIG. My weight, skin color, age, etc. was not going to hold me back. Yet I had to believe against ALL Odds! I am glad that I did. Then went on to teach at Harvard and Columbia Universities on pitching. So thankful that I remembered who I am and what I have achieved no matter what!
How do you want to be remembered in the world of business and entrepreneurship?
I want to be remembered as The Queen who rose above all odds and made it so that the road was easier for those who come after me. Those of us who grew up in the inner city as geniuses because we survived what others could not and had to make it everyday. I am proud that I transcended my humble beginnings to live a great life today!
How do you spend most of your time?
I spend most of my time working on the content of my presentations and speeches, connecting with prospects, staying in contact with my clients whether recent or years ago, creating and working on ideas whose time has finally come, helping my clients launch something or put a new product or service in marketplace, training sales teams, writing articles for publication and maybe even writing my 6th book!
As you reflect on your journey, what are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of my resilience in spite of any and all odds. To have endured severe abuse, abandonment, homelessness, severe alcohol addiction, etc and yet have achieved the impossible. I am most proud of the woman, friend, sister that I am with a BIG heart that gives back to those who the world has forgotten. I volunteer for the homeless and those struggling in transition.
Tell us a little about your family and what you do for fun?
For fun, I love to check out new restaurants, hang out with dear friends, go to movies, dance, write poetry and go to poetry slams, spend quiet time alone in peace.
To Learn More about Precious, visit:
www.linkedin.com/in/precious-l-williams/
www.facebook.com/PerfectPitchP
www.instagram.com/perfectpitchgroup
www.youtube.com/c/PreciousLWilliams
Fortune favors the BOLD!
