This episode of “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast features Mark C. Perna, a nationally recognized generational expert, bestselling author, and founder and CEO of TFS Results. Mark is leading a powerful paradigm shift in education and workforce development through his national movement, “Education with Purpose and Employment with Passion,” which connects the critical pipelines between education, business, and economic growth. A captivating keynote speaker who has addressed audiences at Harvard University and beyond, Mark delivers more than 80 presentations annually and reaches millions of readers through his weekly leadership articles and videos on Forbes.com. His award-winning book, “Answering Why,” has redefined how educators, employers, and parents tap into the full potential of today’s younger generations.

Key pitching takeaways from Mark C. Perna on this episode of “Pitch Live”:

• Embrace the “no’s”—your pitch won’t be for everyone, and that’s okay. Every “yes” becomes a pleasant surprise.
• Use strategic vocal inflections to emphasize key points and keep your audience engaged.
• Start with the end in mind. Never open a presentation with “Good morning,” a joke, or your resume—kick off with a relatable question that gets your audience nodding in agreement.
• Flip the script: lead with your core message and close with your personal story. Opening with your story can feel like playing your “heartstring moment” too early.
• Before presenting, meet as many people in the audience as possible—people pay closer attention to someone they feel they know. Keep your focus on them, not on yourself.
• When pitching or presenting virtually, imagine you're speaking to just one person. That personal connection makes your message land with greater impact.

Join Amy Summers for #PitchLive with #PitchPro Mark C. Perna to access Mark’s pitching strategies and success stories that prove the power of #ThePitch ☎️🤩

Connect:

Follow and connect with Amy Summers:

Instagram | Bluesky | TikTok | Facebook: @amysummersnyc

X: @PitchAmy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysummersnyc

Follow and connect with Mark Perna

X: @MarkPerna

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_c_perna/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markcpernaspeaker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markperna/

Website: https://markcperna.com/

Follow and connect with Pitch Publicity #PitchStars

Instagram and LinkedIn @pitchpublicity

Follow and connect with #INICIVOX for #VirtualMentorship

Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn: @INICIVOX

Website: www.INICIVOX.com

Be sure to hit that subscribe button and give us a rating or review. Your feedback helps us plan future episodes. As a bonus, join us at www.INICIVOX.com where you can get motivated, hone your communication skills and binge as much mentorship as you want, whenever you need it.

This episode of “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast takes a look back at Salem Farmand’s #internship #mentorship at Pitch Publicity®, reflecting on how the experience helped shape his professional journey. A 2022 graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Public Relations and a focus in Business, Salem moved to New York City to merge his professional expertise with his faith, stepping into a mission-driven role in development as Campaign Manager for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York—one of the nation’s most prominent and historically influential Catholic institutions, serving millions across the greater New York region. Outside of his full-time work, Salem pours his heart into ministry as a Catholic speaker, singer-songwriter, and Christian worship leader. Through his deep faith, creative spirit, and gift for connecting with others, he uplifts and encourages people to grow in their purpose and walk with God.

Key pitching/mentorship takeaways from Salem Farmand on this episode of “Pitch Live”:

• Lead with Connection: Find a genuine point of contact to open the door—it’s often the simplest, most human connection that can create the biggest opportunity.
• Be Present and Generous: When entering a new space, focus on building relationships by showing up with openness, offering help, or sharing useful connections—without expecting anything in return.
• Network with a Servant Mindset: True networking isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about lifting others up. Prioritize making others feel seen, heard, and valued.
• Treat Everyone with Equal Respect: Whether someone holds prestige or not, meet them where they are and engage with authenticity—status should never change how you treat people.
• Detach Your Worth from Rejection: If someone dismisses you or says no, don’t take it personally. Their reaction often says more about their situation than your value.
• Make Your Message an Invitation: Whether pitching or presenting, start by inviting your audience into an experience. Use storytelling, energy, and a conversational tone to create a genuine connection right from the beginning.

Join Amy Summers for #PitchLive with #PitchStar Salem Farmand to be inspired by #mentorship and motivated to #pitch with success stories that prove the power of #ThePitch ☎️🤩

Connect:

Follow and connect with Amy Summers:

Instagram | Bluesky | TikTok | Facebook: @amysummersnyc

X: @PitchAmy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysummersnyc

Follow and connect with #PitchStar Salem Farmand:

Instagram: @salemfarmandmusic

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salem-farmand-5971851b7/

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/salem-joseph-farmand/1689160474

Follow and connect with Pitch Publicity #PitchStars

Instagram and LinkedIn @pitchpublicity

Follow and connect with #INICIVOX for #VirtualMentorship

Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn: @INICIVOX

Website: www.INICIVOX.com

Be sure to hit that subscribe button and give us a rating or review. Your feedback helps us plan future episodes. As a bonus, join us at www.INICIVOX.com where you can get motivated, hone your communication skills and binge as much mentorship as you want, whenever you need it.

This episode of “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast features Sarita Krishnamurthy, founder and principal of IN.DE Interior Architecture and Design—an accomplished architect and designer known for fusing timeless elegance with deeply meaningful, personalized spaces. A proud graduate of the University of Florida, Sarita expanded her global design perspective through additional studies in Italy, the UK, Switzerland, and a dual master’s degree in Architecture and Historic Preservation from Columbia University. Her sophisticated approach to design is matched by her passion for purpose, evident in her artisan-crafted pillow line, IN.DeLuxe, which supports educational opportunities for girls in India through the nonprofit Shadhika. Whether she's creating a sophisticated home or designing her one-of-a-kind pillows, Sarita brings beauty, heart, and social impact to everything she creates.

Key pitching takeaways from Sarita Krishnamurthy on this episode of “Pitch Live”:

• Authenticity Sells: If you’re not passionate about it, don’t pitch it. Love what you’re pitching and others will feel that energy too.
• Allow Compromise in Pitching: Sometimes you have to give a little to gain a lot.
• Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open: Watch how others pitch and present. Absorb every opportunity to grow and level up.
• Put Relationships Over Transactions: A strong connection is key—if it’s not there, the partnership probably isn’t meant to be.
• Network Like Every Conversation Counts: It could spark your next big break.
• Lead with Heart, Always: Let purpose and passion guide you.

Join Amy Summers for #PitchLive with #PitchPro Sarita Krishnamurthy to access Sarita’s pitching strategies and success stories that prove the power of #ThePitch ☎️🤩

Connect:

Follow and connect with Amy Summers:

Instagram | Bluesky | TikTok | Facebook: @amysummersnyc

X: @PitchAmy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysummersnyc

Follow and connect with Sarita Krishnamurthy

Instagram: @inde_luxe and @sarita_inde

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarita-krishnamurthy

Website: https://in-de.com/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/INDeLuxe

Follow and connect with Pitch Publicity #PitchStars

Instagram and LinkedIn @pitchpublicity

Follow and connect with #INICIVOX for #VirtualMentorship

Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn: @INICIVOX

Website: www.INICIVOX.com

Be sure to hit that subscribe button and give us a rating or review. Your feedback helps us plan future episodes. As a bonus, join us at www.INICIVOX.com where you can get motivated, hone your communication skills and binge as much mentorship as you want, whenever you need it.