Meet Elena Kacan | Marketing & Social Media Strategist | Community Connector

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elena Kacan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elena, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Versatility and adaptability have been key to my success — I’m not afraid to pivot if something isn’t working. I understand the importance of being agile and perceptive so I can adjust where it makes sense.

Building identity and social capital is also very important to me. I’m big on building a life not just a resume. I make it a priority to do interesting things so I have great stories to tell, and in turn, that expands my network — especially here in Charlotte. I love working with all types of people, being collaborative, and finding ways to plug in and contribute.

Staying open to new opportunities is the KEY to my success, both personally and professionally. Say yes, figure it out later.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has been anything but linear, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in.

I started out in college with a passion for broadcasting, determined to be the next sideline reporter on ESPN. To build my skills, I joined the campus radio station (shout out WASU at Appalachian State), volunteered for anything I could, and eventually got a shot at covering App State football & basketball on the sidelines. That experience gave me the confidence to network, which led to an internship with IMG Studios, where I drove 1.5 hours each week just to cut highlights for sports teams across the country. I had no idea what I was doing at first, but I jumped in, learned by doing, met amazing people and gained invaluable experience.

Then came my first big pivot into sales. Someone spoke to my class about this job, I needed money (parents were cutting me off soon!), so I went for it. And let me tell you, it was brutal. Easily the worst job I’ve ever had. But it taught me a lot — how to push through discomfort, how to connect with people, and most importantly, what I did NOT want to do.

After a few years of smiling and dialing, I finally walked away. I spent eight months waiting tables, reflecting on what I truly wanted (absolutely terrified). That time gave me clarity — I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my happiness, and I needed to find work that inspired me. Then, thanks to networking (again!), a family friend offered me a marketing job. I had no formal training, so I took a marketing class, met my next boss there, and a year later, when his company was hiring, I reached out and landed the job out of 200 applicants. I still can’t believe it worked out that way.

That role launched my marketing career. I worked my way up from Marketing Coordinator to Field Marketer to Marketing Manager over 4.5 years. From there, I landed at a B2B tech company in a position that didn’t feel right for me. So I pitched a pivot — I convinced leadership to let me build a community for our customers. That led to running events, which led to hosting our podcast, which then led to managing social media strategy. My ability to adapt, see opportunities, and show business value in different areas has been the unlock!

I’m proud of my resilience and the people I surround myself with. I never want to be the smartest one in the room — I’m naturally curious, always asking questions, always learning. It took me a while to find my path, but I played the long game, and I love that my career has been a journey of discovery.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is: You don’t need to be great to start, but you need to start to be great. I took every opportunity I could, even when I wasn’t 100% sure of the outcome.

At the end of the day, my story has been about learning to embrace change and trust the process. What’s meant for me will never miss me!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit, I’d plan a week exploring Charlotte’s best neighborhoods — I’m a foodie and I love showing off everything the Queen City has to offer. I know this is a lot but here’s how we’d do it:

Monday: Uptown (Where I live)
Morning: Settle in, grab coffee at Not Just Coffee at 7th street market & stroll Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Lunch: Optimist Hall – tons of variety and cute vibes (Harriet’s is my favorite)
Afternoon: Pickleball at Alexander Street park
Dinner: The Cellar at Duckworths
Nightcap: Substrate for games and a glass of wine

Tuesday: South End
Coffee/Breakfast: Stablehand
Explore: Walk the Light Rail Trail & hit Atherton Mill
Lunch: Flowerchild (Mother Earth Bowl)!
Afternoon: Pins Mechanical or Sycamore Brewing
Dinner: Chapter 6 or Yamazaru (my favorites)
Drinks: Vinyl for their espresso martini, wrap at Canopy for Miami inspired patio vibes

Wednesday: NoDa
Coffee: Salud Cerveceria, amazing vibes!
Explore: Local shops, street art
Lunch: Growlers or Cabo Fish Taco
Drinks: NoDa Company Store patio (get the sangria)!
Evening: Live show at Neighborhood Theatre or Jack Beagles
Late Night: Billy Jack’s and Blind Pig for games

Thursday: Plaza Midwood
Coffee: Giddy Goat (try their empanadas)
Shop: Social Status, High Life
Lunch: Yafo – BYOBowl!
Sweet Treat: Two Scoops Creamery
Drinks: Workman’s Friend patio
Dinner: DTR

Friday: Elizabeth
I’d definitely take them to CreativeMornings Charlotte — it happens the first Friday of every month and is such a great way to tap into Charlotte’s creative community.
Coffee/Breakfast: People’s Market
Dinner: Puerta or Catalina

Saturday: LoSo OR Wesley Heights (both hidden gems)

LoSo:
Coffee: 1000 Hills Coffee (great vibes)
Lunch: Taco Mama
Games/Dinner: Supper Club

Wesley Heights:
Coffee: Platform Coffee
Lunch: Rhino Market (Chicken Torta)
Dinner: Que Fresa or Torro Sushi

Sunday:
Day: Check out Camp North End for events, Novel Books, and ice cream at Seemingly Overzealous
Dinner: SAKU or Caroline’s Oyster Bar (Uptown)

I’m big on curated experiences, so I’d keep an eye out for local events, pop-ups, and shows. By the end of the trip, my friend would truly experience all the fun vibes in Charlotte!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my girl friend group, This or Better. We came together after a tragic loss — one of our dear friends passed away, and in the midst of that heartbreak, we found strength in each other. We’ve been there for each other through our darkest moments and celebrated each other’s highest highs.

They picked me up when I needed it most. They gave me the courage and inspiration to step out of my comfort zone, start my own business, and rebuild with confidence and it’s been off to the races ever since. More than anything, they’ve taught me the true power of female friendship — there’s no competition, just pure support. We lift each other up, cheer for each other’s wins, and remind each other that if it’s not this, it’s better, and it’s coming our way.

Their love, encouragement, and belief in me have shaped so much of who I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful to my hype sisters — THANK YOU!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queencityyy.e/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenakacan/