122: From Layoff to Landing Contracts: How Uchechi Kalu Already Hit 50% of Her 2026 Revenue Goal

How do you even start a business in 2025!? I sat down with my client (and friend) Uchechi Kalu, CFP®, 2024 Olympic Poet to talk about what it really looks like to go from being laid off… to working with over 700 clients, landing contracts with 5 major literary arts organizations, and already hitting 50% of her 2026 revenue goal. Uchechi’s layoff story and what it was like to start from zero Why starting a business isn’t for everyone (and why you probably shouldn’t work with me) How integrating your passions makes you stand out, in Uchechi’s case, poetry + financial planning Why she chose to double down on building relationships IRL vs. URL to get her first contracts Resources Mentioned: Uchechi’s website Uchechi’s LinkedIn and Instagram Where We Can Connect: Schedule a Business & Career Review call with me to see if it’s a good fit to work together: elainelou.com/call Check out our 314 client reviews Follow the Podcast on Apple Follow the Podcast on Spotify Follow Elaine on Instagram: @elainelou_ Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn: Elaine Lou Cartas Check out our other podcasts for Women of Color Follow, Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts Are you following the WOC & Allies: Business & Career Realtalk podcast? My team and I created this podcast for accessible education for women of color and allies. When you follow the podcast, it lets podcast streaming companies know that this podcast is a podcast fellow women of color and allies should listen to. If you are enjoying the show, I would love it if you would leave me a review on Apple Podcasts. This is one of the best ways to support the show and my team, and it helps other Legacy Leaders find it! Head over to Apple Podcasts to follow, rate and review now!

You can listen to 122: From Layoff to Landing Contracts: How Uchechi Kalu Already Hit 50% of Her 2026 Revenue Goal online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

122: From Layoff to Landing Contracts: How Uchechi Kalu Already Hit 50% of Her 2026 Revenue Goal is an episode from Color Your Dreams by Elaine Lou Cartas.

This episode is 62:38 long.

This episode was published on Oct 2, 2025.

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