Guest: Alexandra Silva Labarr │ Founder, Xandra Marketing & PR | Networking Queen | Author
Guest Bio
Alexandra Silva Labarr is an international speaker, author, and founder of Xandra Marketing & PR. Known as the Networking Queen, Alexandra has over 25 years of experience in marketing, business development, and sales. After leaving corporate America to bet on herself right as COVID hit, she pivoted quickly, building a thriving marketing firm that helps businesses with social media, digital presence, branding, and messaging.
Alexandra is the author of three books: The Power of Networking, Show Up Scared (a memoir), and Show Up Scared: Teen Edition, which hit bestseller on Amazon. She has spoken to Florida government employees, schools, universities, and stages across the world, helping people build the courage to show up even when they’re scared. She is the creator of the Feel Forward Method and the founder of the Power of Networking Community, with 15 chapters across South Florida.
Questions Yanique Asked
- In your own words, could you share a little about your journey, how you got from where you were to where you are today?
- You’re known as the Networking Queen with over 25 years in business development, marketing, and sales. What was the turning point that made you realize networking was your superpower and when did you decide to write The Power of Networking?
- Can you walk our listeners through your Seven Essential C’s of Networking, and which one do you see people struggle with the most?
- A small business owner has joined a local chamber and attends an event cards in hand, standing in the corner. What would you tell them to do, step by step?
- Dale Carnegie said the number one thing people like to talk about is themselves. How do you balance that insight with your advice not to lead with yourself at networking events?
- Do you have a book or two that’s had a profound impact on you professionally or personally?
- What’s the one tool, app, or resource you absolutely can’t live without in your business?
- What’s the one thing going on in your life right now that you’re really excited about?
- Do you have a quote or saying that keeps you on track during times of adversity?
- What is the single most important mindset shift someone needs to make before going to a networking event in May?
- Where can listeners find and connect with you online?
Episode Highlights
From Loss to Leadership: How Networking Became Alexandra’s Superpower
Yanique: Tell us about your journey from where you were to where you are today.
Alexandra’s story is rooted in resilience. Losing her mother at 13 years old taught her early that leaning on the right people finding the right ‘who’s’ was the key to moving forward. That lesson shaped everything that followed.
After 25 years in corporate marketing and business development, she took the leap to open Xandra Marketing & PR. The timing was less than ideal, COVID arrived just months later. Unable to network in person, the self-proclaimed Networking Queen had to pivot fast, going digital and giving back to a community that was equally lost. She came out stronger. Today, Xandra helps businesses take over their marketing: social media, branding, digital space, and customizing their message to attract their ideal clients.
Her book The Power of Networking opened stages around the world. That visibility led to her second book, Show Up Scared, a memoir about showing up courageously in every chapter of life. Her third book, Show Up Scared: Teen Edition, was written for the teenager she once was. It became an Amazon bestseller and now takes her into schools and universities.
| “I had to learn that leaning on people and finding the right who’s would get me to where I’m going.” — Alexandra Silva Labarr |
The Seven Essential C’s of Networking
Yanique: Can you walk our listeners through your Seven Essential C’s of Networking?
Alexandra’s framework was born from watching people network incorrectly — showing up, handing out cards, and expecting results without intention. Her Seven Essential C’s give structure to the process:
- Courage
- Connection
- Classy
- Common Ground
- Consistency
- Company
- Creativity
The two she sees people struggle with most: Courage and Common Ground.
On Courage: “Confidence is the gift you receive from being courageous. People think they need confidence before they can show up. But really, it’s the courage to show up first.”
On Common Ground: Too many people walk into a room and immediately talk about their business all I, I, I before the other person even knows who they are. Building common ground means asking questions, getting curious, and making the conversation about the other person first.
What to Actually Do When You Walk Into the Room
Yanique: A small business owner is standing in the corner at a networking event, cards in hand. Walk us through what you’d tell them to do.
Alexandra’s practical advice starts before the event even begins: be intentional about which events you attend. Not every room is your room. She leads the Power of Networking Community, 15 chapters across South Florida built specifically to connect business owners with their ideal clients.
When you’re there and you spot a group of three people mid-conversation:
- Walk up and listen first. Don’t interrupt.
- Politely introduce yourself with warmth, not a pitch: “Hi, I’m Alexandra. It’s my first time here and I’m just looking to connect and learn about who’s in the room.”
- Notice: no business pitch. No list of services. Just a human introducing herself.
- When they ask what you do, give a 30-second commercial focused on the pain you solve not everything you offer.
Her example: “I help businesses show up with courage and confidence.” That one sentence makes the right person think, I need her.
For a solo approach: Ask questions. “Is this your first time here?” “What’s the most challenging thing you’re facing in your business right now?” People love to help. They love to talk. Let them.
| “People don’t remember everything you said. They remember how you made them feel. Lead with curiosity, not credentials.” — Alexandra Silva Labarr |
Dale Carnegie, Talking About Yourself, and the Art of Real Conversation
Yanique: Dale Carnegie says the number one thing people like to talk about is themselves. How do you balance that with your advice?
Alexandra doesn’t disagree with Carnegie. She reframes it. Yes, people love to talk about themselves so use that. Ask questions that give them the platform. But as they share, you’re not disappearing. You’re engaging, responding, finding points of connection, and naturally weaving in who you are and what you stand for.
The difference is the level. “Mine is more about having a real conversation like we’re doing right now. You’re asking me questions, giving me a platform to share. That’s how people get to know you without you having to shout about yourself.”
She references a book title as the principle: It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who Knows You. To be known, people do need to hear what you stand for. Just not all at once, and not before the relationship begins.
Key Takeaways
- Networking is a long game. It’s about relationships, not transactions. Show up consistently, not just when you need something.
- Confidence follows courage not the other way around. Show up scared. The confidence comes after.
- Your 30-second intro should name the pain you solve, not list your services.
- Common ground starts with questions, not your elevator pitch. Get curious before you get promotional.
- Follow-up is where most networking falls apart. Build a system don’t rely on memory or good intentions.
- Pick up the phone. Authenticity lives in your voice, not just your email. People do business with people they can hear and feel.
- Be intentional about which rooms you enter. Not every event is built for your ideal client.
- It’s not who you know it’s who knows you. Share what you stand for so others can advocate for you.
- AI tools like Claude can automate the admin so you can spend more time on the high-value connections that require your real presence.
- Investing in youth is investing in community. Show up for the next generation they’re watching.
Timestamped Topics
| Timestamp | Topic |
| 00:00 | Introduction & Guest Bio |
| 00:53 | Alexandra’s Journey: From Corporate America to Xandra Marketing |
| 02:44 | Losing Her Mom at 13 & How It Shaped Her Approach to Networking |
| 02:59 | Writing The Power of Networking & The Show Up Scared Movement |
| 06:43 | The Seven Essential C’s of Networking |
| 07:10 | Courage vs. Confidence: Why Most People Have It Backwards |
| 07:41 | Building Common Ground: How to Start Real Conversations |
| 09:46 | Step-by-Step: What to Do When You Walk Into a Networking Event |
| 14:15 | Dale Carnegie, Talking About Yourself & the Art of Listening |
| 16:22 | Book Recommendations |
| 18:39 | AI Tools Alexandra Can’t Live Without (Including Claude) |
| 21:26 | Show Up Scared Teen Event at the Mayfair Hotel – June 23rd |
| 24:29 | Alexandra’s Guiding Quote & Word of the Year |
| 25:31 | The #1 Mindset Shift Before a Networking Event |
| 27:16 | How to Connect with Alexandra Online |
Featured Resources
Books Mentioned
- The Power of Networking by Alexandra Silva Labarr
- Show Up Scared by Alexandra Silva Labarr
- Show Up Scared: Teen Edition by Alexandra Silva Labarr
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who Knows You (referenced)
- The House Across the Lake (Alexandra’s current read)
- Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
- Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
- Books by John C. Maxwell (Leadership)
- Books by Brené Brown
Tools & Platforms
- Claude (AI) – claude.ai – Alexandra’s go-to AI tool; she’s built three AI assistants through it to manage daily tasks
- Automated social media response & calendar scheduling tool
Events
- Show Up Scared – Mayfair Hotel Event | June 23rd | Coconut Grove, FL
- Event details at alexandrasilvabar.com
Connect with Alexandra
Google “Alexandra Silva Labarr” – all social media platforms, website, events, and speaking opportunities will appear.
- LinkedIn – Alexandra Silva Labarr (very active)
- Website: alexandrasilvalabarr.com
- Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms: search her name
- Alexandra responds to every message. She’s known for it.
Alexandra’s Guiding Quote
| “Confidence is the gift that you receive from being courageous.” — Alexandra Silva Labarr |
This quote is the engine behind everything Alexandra teaches. Her word of the year is Trust – chosen intentionally to anchor her decision-making, keep her in alignment with her values, and guide her through seasons of uncertainty in business and life.
About Navigating the Customer Experience
A globally recognized podcast hosted by Yanique Grant, featuring leaders and innovators sharing insights on leadership, business growth, customer experience, and exceptional service delivery.
