Elaine A. Clark transforms obstacles into opportunities by teaching ways to communicate with clarity, confidence and purpose while empowering others to “speak to achieve.”
“You’ll never make it because of your voice.” Those were the words a college professor said to Elaine A. Clark—just moments before graduation—after she had earnestly sought validation about her potential as an actor. Criticism about her voice, a core tool for any performer, would have broken many people’s resolve. Instead, it strengthened her motivation to refine her craft and inspire others to discover and embrace their own potential.
Clark is known for wearing many hats: actor, voice-over artist, director, author, app creator, podcaster and entrepreneur. Her journey toward assuming these roles was shaped by the influence of trailblazing women in her family and her diverse upbringing. Clark’s maternal lineage included poets, librarians and educators who taught her the power of words and self-expression. As an Army officer’s daughter, she lived in California, Georgia, Wisconsin, Germany and Louisiana before returning to California. Each experience enriched her understanding of language and culture.
In 1986, Clark founded a voice-over school in San Francisco to teach students how to hone their speaking, presentation and performance skills. Her extensive background drew the attention of entertainment industry professionals, business executives, newscasters, sales teams and sports announcers—all of whom sought her services to improve their communication skills.
As Clark became a leader in voice-overs, speech communication and performance coaching, she continued to elevate her voice and help others maximize their full speaking potential. Her determination led to the creation of Making It M.I.N.E.®, an innovative system she developed in the 1990s to improve communication.
Clark’s M.I.N.E.® method breaks communication down into four essential components:
- Motivation – the moment before that elevates a speaker’s message
- Intentions – the actions given to words to secure a ‘win’
- Need – the message’s purpose; and
- Emotions – to add authenticity and depth
Driven by the power of voice and the strength of communication, Clark developed Making It M.I.N.E.® to help people from all backgrounds overcome obstacles. “When I say effective communication, it doesn’t just pertain to speaking clearly,” Clark explains. “Communicating effectively means connecting with audiences, building trust, and motivating them to think, feel and take action.”
She provides techniques for participants to overcome personal performance roadblocks, establish genuine connections and use their own stories to inspire others. Speakers who complete the M.I.N.E.® system go on to empower and motivate others, amplifying Clark’s impact.
Clark believes anyone can improve their voice and communication skills—a philosophy that forms the foundation of her upcoming book, Speak to Achieve: How to Build Connection, Deepen Trust, Captivate Audiences, and Achieve Results. In it, she explores how effective communication extends beyond just voice, incorporating body language, movement and storytelling to create deeper audience connections.
Drawing from her Making It M.I.N.E.® methodology, Clark introduces physical exercises that help speakers refine their delivery, harness their emotions and tap into their personal histories. These techniques empower readers to communicate with greater authenticity and impact in any setting.
Readers will learn to access the Rhetorical Triangle—logic, emotion and authority—to create compelling messages. They’ll also develop techniques to adapt to different audiences, overcome obstacles and captivate listeners in business presentations, podcasts, speeches, interviews and personal interactions.
Clark wrote Speak to Achieve to share her expertise as an actor and speech educator. Her goal is to provide practical, accessible tools for excelling in business and personal interactions. “My job is to empower people—through their message, history, voice and body. The voice is an instrument, and we need to learn how to play it.”
A forward-thinking entrepreneur, she designed her products and services to tackle recurring challenges uncovered through decades of experience. Speak to Achieve is a comprehensive addition to her list of training books: There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is: A Complete Insider’s Guide to Earning Income and Building a Career in Voice-Overs and Voice-Overs for Podcasting: How to Develop a Career and Make a Profit.
Clark has also launched two speech and diction apps—Activate Your Voice and Adding Melody to Your Voice—which complement her coaching methods. Meanwhile, her podcast, Real Talking Tips, provides bite-sized lessons on improving speech communication, offering practical advice for professionals in any field.
Clark’s work has had a significant impact. Many clients describe her as a guiding presence, with one noting that her advice feels like “a little version of Elaine on my shoulder, whispering what I need to do.” Others compare her to a quilt, with disparate pieces of knowledge and experience coming together to form something beautiful and cohesive.
Indeed, Elaine A. Clark doesn’t take no for an answer. She turns challenges into opportunities for growth. This resilience enables her to help numerous individuals speak with substance and style through her incredible work.
