What would you say if opportunity met you in an elevator? 👀

In this episode of Just Us with Liz & Kere, we introduce a brand new segment—The Elevator Pitch—and welcome our first-ever guest, entrepreneur and master esthetician Erika Fulton, owner of Kin Skin & Wellness.

From corporate strategy to entrepreneurship and self-care, this episode is packed with gems on how to show up prepared, positioned, and confident.

✔️ What an elevator pitch is—and why you need one

✔️ How to clearly communicate your value

✔️ Transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship

✔️ Skincare for melanated skin & common myths

✔️ The connection between stress, health, and your skin

✔️ Why self-care is essential—not optional

00:00 – Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere

00:00:45 – Teachable Moment: What is an elevator pitch?

00:02:10 – Key components of a strong elevator pitch

00:05:10 – Why your elevator pitch matters for your career

00:06:30 – Introducing our first guest: Erika Fulton 🎉

00:08:40 – Erika’s elevator pitch (masterclass!)

00:09:30 – Breaking down what makes a great pitch

00:11:00 – Erika’s background: military to entrepreneurship

00:12:00 – What is paramedical tattooing? (powerful impact)

00:13:20 – Restoring confidence after trauma & surgery

00:14:30 – Mind-body connection: how skin reflects stress

00:15:00 – Skincare myths: yes, Black women need SPF 👀

00:16:00 – Gut health, stress & skin explained

00:18:00 – Creating safe spaces through wellness services

00:18:50 – How Erika got started in esthetics

00:20:00 – Representation in skincare for melanated skin

00:21:30 – Hyperpigmentation explained (the science!)

00:23:00 – Why TikTok skincare trends can be risky ⚠️

00:25:00 – How to connect with Erika & Kin Skin Wellness

00:26:00 – Water & skincare: fact or fiction? 💧

00:27:30 – “Black don’t crack”… or does it? 👀

00:30:00 – Final advice: self-care, rest & consistency

00:33:00 – Boss It, Gloss It, or Toss It (fun segment begins 🔥)

00:33:30 – Hot comb vs flat iron vs curling iron

00:37:00 – Bar soap vs body wash vs water debate 😂

00:40:00 – Washcloth vs African net vs loofah

00:42:30 – Bonnet vs scarf vs satin pillowcase

00:50:00 – Quick take: what feminism really means

00:52:00 – Closing + where to find Just Us merch

“If I asked you to list everyone you love… how long would it take for you to get to yourself?”

Full episode available on YouTube, Spotify & all platforms

🔗 https://linktr.ee/lizthepurposecoach

Erika Fulton

🌐 www.kinskinwellness.com

📱 @kinskinwellness

Do you have your elevator pitch ready? 👀

Or are you still “figuring it out”?

Drop your answer in the comments ⬇️

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#JustUsPodcast #ElevatorPitch #BlackWomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SkincareForBlackWomen #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #SelfCareMatters #BossItOrTossIt

In this dynamic episode of Just Us, Liz and Kere tackle a career topic that many professionals—especially Black women navigating corporate spaces—find confusing and intimidating: sponsorship.

Responding to a listener who calls herself “Looking for a Sponsor, Not Just a Cheerleader,” the hosts break down the real difference between mentorship and sponsorship. They explain why a sponsor isn’t just someone who gives advice—but someone who uses their influence, social capital, and reputation to advocate for you when you’re not in the room. Liz reframes sponsorship as a “strategic faith walk,” reminding listeners that while you can’t control who sponsors you, you can control the frequency you’re broadcasting through your work, relationships, and personal brand.

From practical strategies like doing your own 360-degree feedback to intentionally managing your professional reputation, this conversation delivers both mindset and tactical tools for positioning yourself for advancement—even when you don’t see who’s advocating behind the scenes.

Then the mood shifts into fan-favorite segment Boss It or Toss It, where Liz and Kere hilariously debate iconic talk show hosts—from Oprah (original vs. modern), Gayle King, and Tamron Hall to Wendy Williams, Sherri Shepherd, Maury, Jerry Springer, Phil Donahue, and more. Along the way, they unpack authenticity, cultural responsibility, chaos vs. empathy in media, and what it really takes to build a lasting platform.

It’s part career masterclass, part cultural commentary, and all Just Us—where ambition meets assignment, and even the jokes come with leadership lessons.

Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas kick off Season 2 of Just Us by reflecting on the joy (and work!) of Season 1—and shouting out the growing community of listeners and YouTube subscribers. Liz opens with a “Teachable Moment” that’s perfect for a new year and a new season: “Pause as an action” and “silence speaks volumes.” Together, they unpack how Black women—often expected to do the most—can reclaim power by practicing discernment: knowing when to speak, when to listen, and when silence is the strongest move in the room.

Then the episode shifts into a fun, culture-forward “Top 10” segment: Top 10 Business Lessons from The Book of Eddie Murphy—with chapters from Coming to America and Trading Places. From protecting your intellectual property to asking for what you want, learning the unspoken rules, building the right team, and not resting on privilege, Liz and Kere translate classic movie moments into real workplace strategy—without losing the laughs.

They wrap with a special listener perk: a limited-time merch discount (20% off) tied to Divine Nine Founders’ Day season, plus an invitation to join the Inner Circle community for future tools, discounts, and bonus resources.

Not Your Gratitude Project + Boss It or Toss It: Vacation Edition

In this episode of Just US, Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas dive into a letter from “Not Your Gratitude Project,” a high-performing Black woman whose boss keeps hitting her with the same undermining line: “You should be thankful you even have a job.” And whew…Liz and Kere are immediately triggered—because they’ve lived it.

They break down why that phrase isn’t “just a joke,” but a classic corporate gaslighting and intimidation tactic meant to control behavior and shrink confidence. From documenting every incident (and every win), to pulling receipts, gathering third-party praise, and getting HR involved when necessary, they outline real strategies to protect your peace and your career. They also talk about reading the room: is this one manager, a toxic culture, or a warning sign about layoffs? And no matter what—keep your “corporate go bag” ready: updated resume, active network, and a financial cushion.

Then the episode shifts into a lighter (but still very real) round of Boss It or Toss It: Vacation Spots Black Folks Love (Besides Martha’s Vineyard)—with hot takes on Atlantic City, Dubai, Jamaica, cruises, Miami, Vegas, Ghana, and the undefeated favorite: staying home.

Come for the coaching, stay for the laughs, the culture, and the mic-drop moments.

Episode 4: “Up In Here” – Navigating Your Career Without Losing Your Mind

In this laugh-out-loud and deeply practical episode of Just Us, Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas tackle a question many Black women are asking right now: How do I navigate this chaotic job market without burning out or blowing up at work?

From adopting an entrepreneurial approach to managing your career, to using AI tools to uncover transferable skills and new career pathways, Liz and Kere offer real strategies you can use today. Along the way, they unpack purpose, side hustles, career pivots, and the power of reframing your day job as a means—not the mission.

And because music is self-care (until it’s not 😅), the episode wraps with a hilarious and painfully accurate list of “Songs You Should NOT Listen to on Your Way to Work When You’re Already Stressed.”

Come for the career coaching, stay for the culture, the stories, and the laughs. This episode is equal parts strategy session and group chat energy.

In this powerful and relatable episode of Just Us with Kere & Liz, the hosts dive deep into what it truly feels like to be a Black woman navigating today’s volatile corporate landscape. Liz opens by reflecting on her decades as a “corporate Jackie Robinson”—often the first and the only Black woman in executive spaces—sharing the unspoken rules and real-life lessons she created her coaching practice to pass down.

The featured Readout Letter comes from “Stressed Out Corporate Canary,” a Black woman manager worried about looming layoffs and the disappearing presence of Black women in senior leadership. Kere and Liz break down the meaning behind being a “canary in the coal mine,” tackle myths around job security, and offer grounding, actionable advice: detach emotion from corporate decisions, document everything, build community, and create your “freedom fund” to layoff-proof your life.

Then, the duo turns to their fan-favorite segment: Boss It or Toss It, rating how Black corporate professionals are portrayed across movies and TV. From Boomerang and The Cosby Show to Living Single, Insecure, Empire, Black-ish, Girlfriends, and Abbott Elementary, they unpack what Hollywood gets right—and very wrong—about Black leadership, ambition, style, and everyday office culture.

Filled with humor, honesty, cultural callouts, and coaching gems you’ll want to write down, this episode reminds listeners that while the corporate world may shake, Black women have always found a way to “make a dollar out of 15 cents.” And on Just Us, no one has to navigate it alone.

Get ready to boldly go where no manager has gone before in an episode stacked with leadership lessons from Captain Kirk and New Edition.

In this insightful episode, Liz and Kere dive deep into the differences between leadership and management, using iconic examples from Star Trek's Captain Kirk and the legendary R&B group New Edition.

Discover the key traits that set visionary leaders apart - from having a clear mission and empowering their team, to embracing authenticity and vulnerability. Get ready to be inspired as the hosts unpack leadership lessons from each member of New Edition, exploring how qualities like business savvy, second chances, and putting the team first can take your career to new heights.

Whether you consider yourself more of a manager or a leader, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you boldly go further in your professional journey. Tune in now and get ready to take your leadership journey to new heights!

Tune In to Part Two of the Pilot Episode of the Just Us Podcast!

Join Liz Nolley and Kere Thomas as they continue to keep it real in Just Us—the podcast where Black women unpack the realities of life, leadership, and leveling up in corporate spaces.

In this highly anticipated second half of the premiere episode, Liz and Kere dive into a Reddit letter titled "Black Girl Navigating Corporate America." Together, they share insightful advice on how to foster authentic relationships at work and strategize ways to "layoff-proof" your career.

But that’s not all—this episode also features the debut of their signature Boss It or Toss It segment, where they salute some of their favorite Black TV sitcom career moms and break down what makes them boss-worthy (or toss-worthy as the case may be!).

Come for the coaching, stay for the laughs. Either way, don’t miss the second installment of this game-changing conversation. It’s real talk, real advice, and a whole lot of fun!