Ready to create a legacy that

will last for generations?

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Ready to create a legacy that will last for generations?

AS SEEN IN

Having a “successful” life isn’t just about making money, it’s about creating a legacy.

A legacy that will last for generations.

I am a proud, first-generation Filipino American.

I had straight A’s, and was valedictorian three times.

My grandmothers who are pictured here, are my Queens.

I grew up with Nana organizing family parties (my grandma to the right), and Mamang who raised me and my brothers, while my parents went to work (my grandma to the left). We took this picture when I graduated with a Masters of Science in Leadership and Management.

The day I graduated from my Masters was the same day I realized, “Oh sh*t! I’ve been following what everyone wants for me, and not my own dreams.” It was June 2017, one month later I started my coaching business and got my first paying client. In 2022, I celebrated my 5 year business anniversary where I’ve served 500+ clients in 24 different countries helping them create an aligned and purposeful legacy in their professional and personal lives.

Apple News recognized me as one of the top 5 business coaches, LA Weekly awarded me as the #1 thought leader, and LinkedIn featured me as a Top Communication Voice.

When I graduated college, I became a grassroots organizer, knocking on doors and doing phone calls. Within 6 months, I organized 557 volunteers. After five years working in politics, I became a nonprofit fundraiser and raised $1 million in student scholarships in six months.

Raising money for college students was my proudest accomplishment.

And it made me realize that I wanted more. I wanted to help others reach their own goals to honor and create their legacy. So I started my Business and Career Coaching company.

I quickly realized that I didn’t like how other coaching businesses focused on the followers and growing huge lists.

I wanted to create a business aligned to me where I built real, transformational relationships – what I’d learned in my grassroots organizing and fundraising experience.

As a result, I’ve had six-figure launches, mentored clients to reach their own financial goals, and had two clients hit multi-seven figures this year.

What I realize is that you can create a business and career that is aligned to you by simply being you.

I help my clients create for more than themselves, while still staying in integrity to a life they love.

This is what I call the Color Your Dreams® process.

My clients understand that their definition of happiness in work and life can continuously EVOLVE.

  • Maybe you’re in an identity crisis and want the support and accountability to fully honor yourself and your legacy.
  • Maybe you have a habit of going into auto-pilot mode and “just doing” because it’s what’s worked so far. 
  • Maybe you’re struggling with what to do next and need a safe space to express your voice and redefine your own definition of success.

What’s important is that the choices you make are true to YOU and not just outside expectations. I am here to ensure you are aligned to your truest self and values.

Want to get personal and learn some fun facts about me?

My Story:

⦿   I am a First-Generation Filipino. My family immigrated from the Philippines to work in the grapevines in Porterville, California (Central California).

⦿  I’ve lived in 6 different states (Iowa, Indiana, Montana, New Mexico, Massachusetts and of course, California!).

⦿  I started doing Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing) when I was 16 because I was being bullied and this was a great outlet to feel like I had my own back.

⦿  I’ve had 25 different jobs, was fired 3 times, and quit 3 times to find a career I currently love.

⦿  I left my dream job to go full time into my dream business.

⦿  I have a Masters in Leadership and Management.

⦿  I’ve negotiated my salary twice while working with a coach, which led to a $12,000 raise and $26,000 raise.

⦿  I paid off $30,000 in undergrad debt, and paid my way through graduate school with a $30,000 tuition.

The picture from left to right: This is a pic of my dad, his mom (my Nana/grandma), and me. My Nana is holding a pic of her dad (my great Grandpa).

My Story:

⦿  I am a First-Generation Filipino American. My family immigrated from the Philippines to work in the grapevines in Porterville, California (Central California).

⦿  I’ve lived in 6 different states (Iowa, Indiana, Montana, New Mexico, Massachusetts and of course, California!).

⦿  I started doing Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing) when I was 16 because I was being bullied and this was a great outlet to feel like I had my own back.

⦿  I’ve had 25 different jobs, was fired 3 times, and quit 3 times to find a career I currently love.

⦿  I left my dream job to go full time into my dream business.

⦿  I have a Masters in Leadership and Management.

⦿  I’ve negotiated my salary twice while working with a coach, which led to a $12,000 raise and $26,000 raise.

⦿  I paid off $30,000 in undergrad debt, and paid my way through graduate school with a $30,000 tuition.

The picture from left to right: This is a pic of my dad, his mom (my Nana/grandma), and me. My Nana is holding a pic of her dad (my great Grandpa).

This picture is with my mom, who I call my my mini-me cause she’s 4’11 even though she likes saying she’s 5 feet (I’m 5’5 😜).

My story has led me to…

⦿  Knowing how to deal with conflict and toxic environments by being assertive.

⦿  Living a healthy and holistic life. I listen to my body. I love doing Bikram Yoga, weight-lifting, and hiking.

⦿  Creating boundaries with work, family and all aspects of my life.

⦿  Saying no to people and events that no longer serve me.

⦿  Working and investing on my own coaches since 2014, and my own therapists since 2005.

⦿  Making mistakes that help me learn more about myself.

⦿  Honoring my family’s sacrifices by living my dreams (and wanting the same for you!)

⦿  Becoming reiki-certified, being trauma-informed and currently working on receiving my International Coaching Federation certificate

Throughout my life, I have always taken aligned action to my soul’s calling.

Here’s a 3 minute vulnerable video of the exact moment I decided to leave my job to go full time into my coaching business. This was December 2017.

These days, I am focused on helping women create their own legacy. A legacy that is defined by them and on their own terms.

If you are an industry leader in business or an executive position who is looking to create a holistic life by leading with conscious conversations, creating sustainable systems, and building teams that carry your legacy, work with my team and I through the Color Your Dreams Inner Circle

AAre you a mission-driven leader and not fully happy with your job? You want to make a more aligned career change? Want to express your voice, and redefine your own definition of success? Check out our career coaching services below.

If you’ve already established yourself in a leadership or executive role and are looking to lead while living a sustainable life without burning out yourself or your team, we are here to hold a supportive space to hold conscious conversations, implement holistic leadership, and prioritize a life led by fulfillment and self-trust.

Meet The Team

When you work with me, you also have access to my team of coaches. As a career and business coach for women of color and allies, I have created an incredible and diverse team to support all my clients.

Elaine Lou Cartas, MA

CEO + Business Strategist | IG: @elainelou_

Elaine is the CEO and visionary of the business. She works with established entrepreneurs to create a more sustainable life through her Color Your Dreams Inner Circle. Elaine also does 1:1 coaching for entrepreneurs at any level, as well as career coaching clients. 

Jave Consorte

Virtual Assistant | thecontessadigital.com

Jave is the tech and design guru for Elaine’s business. She’s worked as a marketing officer for 8 years before going into digital marketing. Jave is also a proud mother of 4 kids.

Katherine Pomerantz

Parker Stevenson + Corey Whitaker, Evolved Finance

Parker Stevenson + Corey Whitaker, Evolved Finance

Andrea Sager

Your Support Coaches

All four coaches on our team are Legacy Lifestyle Inner Circle alumni. They serve as Legacy Lifestyle Inner Circle coaches, and also support our 1:1 clients.

Monica Schrock

Copywriting Coach | IG: @unsociallyinclined

Monica is an optimistic, introverted copywriter who’s spent the last 15 years helping 200 clients craft their message to increased sales and donations from double to over ten times. She provides monthly coaching to the Color Your Dreams Inner Circle and 1:1 sessions to support our clients with their messaging and copy.

Gabrielle Lacasse

Systems & Operations Strategist

Gabrielle is a seasoned Business Integrator and Consultant with 10+ years of experience in managing projects and operations. She helps business owners focus on the big picture instead of getting bogged down in the details. She’s skilled at building effective teams, coming up with creative solutions, and setting up systems to make businesses run smoother. She’s worked closely in the coaching, consulting, and the tech industry.

Iryne Carrasquillo

Intuitive Guide

Iryne has 20 years of coaching, counseling, and intuitive guidance experience. She is a certified life coach and holds a Masters level education in psychology, social work, and business administration. Iryne enjoys helping her clients discover their purpose, follow through on their direction, and find clarity within their life and business. Iryne is happily married for over 20 years, is a mother to two young daughters, and resides in the beautiful, rural mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Katharine Magsaysay

Event Manager

Kat is the Event Manager for the retreats and Color Your Dreams events. Katharine has helped over 500+ clients from around the world and has created impactful change with the way small business owners approach their overall strategy and communication with their clients. Kat checks in with you weekly on your personal and business goals. You also have an opportunity to have a 1:1 session with her.

Caitlin Arnot-Copenhaver

Client Concierge and Assistant + Systems | IG: @caitlingoesvirtual

Caitlin is the go-to person in Elaine’s business for all things client delivery. She is the person behind the onboarding, reminder emails, and systems that keep things running smoothly for our clients. Caitlin previously worked in the non-profit sector for nearly a decade as an administrative manager, honing the skills she uses now to help online business owners and coaches.

Pamana Plantas
Pamana Plantas
05:49 12 Apr 24
Elaine Lou Cartas, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for my business and personal growth.When I found Elaine, I was desperate for help and to find answers. Elaine didn’t give them to me, she helped show me the answers that I already had within myself.Fast forward a year later, I can happily same I am more content, inspired & intentional about how I do business thanks to Elaine’s expertise, insightful perspective, community & energy.If you’re looking for someone to help guide you to better align with yourself with yourself & personally, Elaine is your coach.Maraming Salamat Ate Elaine 🙂
D A
D A
07:02 08 Apr 24
Attempting to encapsulate the profound impact of Elaine's guidance as our business coach feels like an impossible task. While this review highlights the crucial role she played in addressing mental and physical health concerns while fostering a balanced work-life dynamic, it only scratches the surface of her invaluable contributions.Elaine's support has been multifaceted, extending far beyond conventional business coaching. She's been our beacon of light in navigating the intricate complexities of growing our business while prioritizing self-care. From providing personalized strategies for enhancing productivity to offering empathetic guidance in overcoming personal hurdles, Elaine's influence on our journey cannot be overstated.As daughters of immigrant parents forging our path in entrepreneurship, Elaine's understanding of our unique challenges has been unparalleled. She's adeptly navigated the delicate balance between professional growth and personal well-being, empowering us to thrive in both domains.While this review sheds light on Elaine's transformative impact, it barely scratches the surface of the myriad nuanced ways she's helped us navigate the intricacies of entrepreneurship. Her unwavering support, tailored guidance, and genuine care have been indispensable on our journey towards success.In essence, Elaine's role as our business coach transcends quantification. Her influence permeates every aspect of our entrepreneurial endeavors, shaping our growth, resilience, and overall well-being in ways that words can only begin to convey. If you're seeking a coach who understands the complexities of both business and personal growth, Elaine is truly unmatched in her expertise and compassion.
L G
L G
01:56 19 Mar 24
Starting a new business can feel like navigating through a maze blindfolded. Thankfully, I stumbled upon Elaine and found an invaluable guide in her coaching program. From the outset, she understood the intricate challenges of entrepreneurship and provided tailored strategies that were instrumental in my business growth.Her approach is both empathetic and results-oriented, focusing on tangible steps to overcome obstacles. She continues to be exceptionally knowledgeable and supportive for me and my business.One of the standout qualities of Elaine had was the ability to customize her support to fit my specific needs. Whether it was refining my business plan, enhancing my networking skills, or streamlining operations, she was there every step of the way, providing actionable advice and unwavering encouragement.Thanks for the guidance and support it’s been invaluable to me and my business. If you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner looking to elevate your enterprise , I highly recommend Elaine.
Jerel Natividad
Jerel Natividad
00:04 24 Feb 24
Elaine was excellent to work with. I've collaborated with her for creating content and she helped me with SEO for my business. She is highly talented, educated, and well versed in what she does and believes in.
A Mutha*s Hustle
A Mutha*s Hustle
17:01 15 Feb 24
I came across Elaine a few years ago and attended a Master Class in Los Angeles, CA. It was the best decision for my growth journey and she continues to inspire me TO KEEP GOING! I am forever thankful to her for sharing her insight, perspective and knowledge with me. 5 STARS! ALL the stars, across the board!
Jennifer Wong
Jennifer Wong
17:14 14 Feb 24
We've been working with Elaine for over a year. Having her support and a part of our team has been a game changer for a small and growing business like ours. With her help we have been able to better our work relationship(s) and find ways to navigate our next steps when we needed it the most. She's easy to talk to and utilize as a soundboard, ask for advice, and to offer up solutions. Being able to relate as women of color and AAPI is also a big plus for us as an AAPI and women owned business. Whether you're seeking direction in managing work culture and relationships or help with business strategy and ops, Elaine is your lady.
Maxine Murray
Maxine Murray
19:58 24 Jan 24
I met Elaine Lou Cartas in 2023, when she wrote two courses aimed at realigning your life and career, as part of her collaboration with Madecraft. She's not only a communicative storyteller but also offers insightful advice on balancing life and owning your career. Working with her was a breeze; she's highly accountable and always open to feedback. Elaine also runs her own business, where she passionately supports women of color and professionals on their career journeys, and she also skillfully balances this with regularly hosting a podcast. What stands out most is how Elaine understands the art of being your own biggest fan. She never shies away from tough conversations or addressing emotional states, a quality that’s left a lasting impression.
Hayley Doyle
Hayley Doyle
22:58 18 Dec 23
Elaine is an absolute joy to work with! Elaine was recruited to create online courses through Madecraft - the online content creation/distribution company I work for. From our very first conversation together, I was blown away by Elaine's kindness, professionalism, dedication, and impressive get-it-done mentality. Every member of our team has had a blast working with Elaine, and every course she's created with us has been exceptional. She is an expert in countless topics from career development, personal development, entrepreneurship, public speaking, business and executive leadership coaching, diversity, and the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence. Her on-camera presence is also phenomenal and our team has described her incredible performances as captivating, warm, approachable, professional, and composed. I highly recommend working with Elaine, and I'm excited to see her continue making positive impacts everywhere she goes! - Hayley
Justine David
Justine David
23:36 07 Dec 23
I enjoyed working with Elaine and her team. She was warm, high energy, and I loved that she coached me through tough conversations with clients that were not holding their end of their contracts. She also provides up to date action items so I know what I have to work on and info meetings with her marketing and systems people. I learned alot from the group sessions with other entrepreneurs, which made me feel like my problems weren't out of the ordinary.
Chelsa Thompson
Chelsa Thompson
18:01 13 Nov 23
Elaine is magnetic. She can draw out your truth and reflect it back to you. I never knew I needed a little bit of a tiger mom in my life, but I'm so glad Elaine donned that role for me. I felt safe, secure, and unabashedly honest in her presence. The tips she gave to me during our 30 minute session have energized my work once again. I am so so grateful to have connected with Elaine when I did. I highly recommend working with her if you feel stuck or unsure of yourself.
Gurds Hundal
Gurds Hundal
19:58 29 Sep 23
Loved my call with Elaine! We quickly discovered where my strengths in getting clients were. Elaine was very intuitive and made everything simple. I left feeling energised and not tired. In the past I've felt overwhelmed with other coaches it was the opposite here! Elaine really cares about your journey and makes you feel heard!
Nazanin Moali
Nazanin Moali
20:43 31 Aug 23
I had the fortune of meeting Elaine at a conference recently, and I was instantly taken aback by her profound knowledge and immensely generous heart. As a coach and business consultant for women of color, she embodies a remarkable blend of empathy, wisdom, and mission-driven dedication that is truly awe-inspiring.From the very beginning, Elaine demonstrated an innate ability to understand the unique challenges I was facing in my business. With a genuine care for my success, she provided invaluable insights and strategic guidance that helped me problem-solve and significantly improve my course sales. It was evident that she is deeply committed to empowering women of color to thrive in the business world, and her passion for this mission shines through in everything she does.Not only is Elaine an expert in her field, but she is also an incredibly kind and warm person. She creates a safe and supportive space for her clients, and it is clear that she truly cares for the people she works with. Her mission-oriented approach ensures that her guidance is not only practical and effective but also aligned with the values and goals of her clients.I cannot recommend Elaine highly enough. Whether you are starting a new business, looking to improve your existing operations, or seeking to make a greater impact in the world, Elaine Lou is the coach and consultant you need by your side. Her expertise, dedication, and compassionate heart make her an invaluable resource for any woman of color looking to thrive in business. Thank you, Elaine, for everything you do!
Keisha Soleta
Keisha Soleta
15:09 23 Mar 23
I was feeling unchallenged and unhappy in my career and was eagerly exploring a career change, but I was fearful and had no idea where to start. The first career coach that came up in my searches was Elaine. I listened to a couple of episodes on her “Color Your Dreams” podcast and immediately scheduled a consultation with her.I knew immediately that Elaine was an amazing career coach, from the time and effort she put into getting to know me, to understanding what I was looking for in career coaching, as well as providing me with valuable resources. And this was all prior to our consultation call! She was so genuine and I could feel that she really wanted to help me. In the 45 minutes that I spoke with Elaine, she listened to my concerns and challenges and provided me with a valuable action plan for taking the next steps towards a career change. There was so much value in this initial call with Elaine, and this action plan she assisted me with proved to be a big success!! I highly recommend Elaine as a career coach! Thanks so much Elaine for the positive impact you have made on my journey!
Loewy Wei
Loewy Wei
07:03 26 Feb 23
I'm glad I found Elaine as my first career coach, she is a very experienced, caring and professional - one of the best career coach ever! I related to Elaine a lot because we both are WOC and currently living in LA, have similar Asian culture backgrounds too. During this coaching program, Elaine is very knowledgeable and always answering my questions so quick even outside her working hours! She's very sharp and professional, helped me a lot from dealing with issues in cooperate environment, to now start building my own brand! Highly recommend her to everyone!!
Jennifer LaPlaca
Jennifer LaPlaca
18:56 11 Jan 23
Elaine has been an incredible coach and mentor for me! I met her when I was first launching my business and was really overwhelmed by all the things to do and think about as an entrepreneur with a holistic hypnotherapy practice. Elaine taught me so much and really helped me get my business off the ground with a strong plan in place to start seeing consistent clients. I have grown so much by working with Elaine one on one, in her group workshops and just watching her and being inspired. She has given me the confidence to host my own hypnosis workshops, build a strong email list, and have powerful sales=service calls that lead to new clients. I am so grateful that I found her and will continue to refer my friends. If you are looking for a business coach to help you up level your business while also honoring yourself and your time, I highly recommend you reach out to Elaine. You will have so much fun learning from her!
Rachel Posada Fletcher
Rachel Posada Fletcher
17:40 10 Jan 23
I started working with Elaine at the beginning of 2022 when I was feeling overwhelmed at work and suffering from burnout. She really helped me step back and re-evaluate my career and personal priorities, helped me understand (along with my therapist) that I was not being valued at my current company, and gave me tremendous support as I interviewed with other companies. I was able to find a new position doing a job that I love with a lot less stress and a $10k pay increase. I am so grateful I made the investment in myself to work with Elaine - it absolutely paid off! I finally have time to dedicate to my family, hobbies, and personal career growth. Don't hesitate to reach out to Elaine to see how she can help you!
Monica Schrock
Monica Schrock
22:51 10 Nov 22
Elaine has been my business coach for four years and she has supported me in growing a business, and more importantly, a life that reflects who I am and what I want. Moving through the tough decisions and joyous moments with Elaine in my corner has been game changer in my business. She's helped me with strategy and pricing and marketing, and she's always been committed to honoring who I am every step of the way. If you want to do business your way and still get the results you want, work with Elaine!
Ceilidh McGrath
Ceilidh McGrath
19:25 04 Nov 22
Elaine is a gem. She went above and beyond in guiding me towards my goals. The first steps for my particular journey involved analyzing my current client list and identifying patterns in my ideal clients for the purposes of focusing on my marketing efforts into finding those dream clients. After that, she helped me break down my goals into manageable tasks and come up with a plan for the rest of the year in order to reach those goals. The most striking thing about Elaine is how generous she is with her clients - she invited me to her virtual bootcamp and annual retreat, has offered endless resources, provided worksheets with which to challenge myself. She consistently checks in with me on a regular basis, is incredibly personable and has the keenest memory for detail - I honestly don’t know how she remembers everything I tell her! If you’re looking for a business coach who is attentive and straight up just a pro at their job, Elaine is the one for you.
Kelcey Tupas
Kelcey Tupas
21:05 05 Jul 22
I find that a lot of business coaches seem to focus on the same goal for each client and speak too broadly and generally. They focus on numbers, growth for the sake of growth, and oftentimes promote a culture of toxic positivity. Elaine is not anything like the stereotypical coaches we see on the ads that bombard our feeds. She's personable, an active listener, and great at identifying your needs and what will work for you. Creating a business that is sustainable to my health and happiness is important to me and Elaine has helped me get one step closer to achieving that goal.
Crystal Duan
Crystal Duan
01:24 12 Jan 22
Elaine is a very loving, supportive and attentive coach who will give you the tough advice you need and also remind you to value yourself and your time. She gave me amazing business advice that helped me make the income I wanted but was also CONSISTENT. Instead of hitting one 10K month and then burning out, I now feel supported and capable of networking, asking for what I want, and also being realistic about my expectations and seeing what's working. These are all valuable skills not everyone in the business industry touts, but Elaine is excellent in her discernment in helping you also learn to trust yourself and celebrate the highs and lows. I'd 100% recommend her as a coach, mentor, and supporter through these tough times becoming a business owner. I think her approach and philosophy are what's needed in the name of self love and self care!
Katrina Green
Katrina Green
04:26 06 Jan 22
I had the opportunity to work with Elaine in the later part of 2021 and all I have to say is that she's been incredibly helpful with how I can make my business be more aligned with what I envision it to be. She helped me figure out what steps I need to take and changes I had to do in order for me to reach my business goals. Every session feels like a boost of confidence and I feel so equipped to run my business smoothly now thanks to Elaine! 🙂
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