Are you chasing the bottom line and feeling burned out? For years, the business world has glorified the "Lone Wolf"—the entrepreneur who succeeds through sheer isolation and willpower. But treating commerce as a chain of cold, isolated transactions creates a business that is brittle and unsustainable. In this powerful talk, Carrie Kass challenges that myth and presents a new, resilient equation for success: Connection + Community = Your Best Commerce. Carrie Kass is a highly regarded Strategic Growth Leader and a recognized expert in Branding & Business Development, dedicated to driving Market Impact and Community Engagement.With a proven track record of transforming organizations and launching successful initiatives, Carrie combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. This unique approach allows her to identify untapped potential, craft compelling brand narratives, and build robust business development pipelines that deliver measurable results and sustainable success.For 14 years, she served as the Director of Operations and Business Development at an Austin clinic where she was instrumental in transforming the clinic into a national leader in regenerative medicine. Her expertise in both clinical and administrative roles enabled efficient operational management and innovative growth strategies. Beyond her corporate achievements, Carrie is the Founding Director of a thriving women’s network created and scaled to empower women through personal and professional development. This experience honed her ability to build strong brands from the ground up and foster deep community connections.An accomplished voice in the industry, Carrie is also a best-selling author, having contributed to "Pieces to Purpose - Unbreakable Women Who Refused to Give Up". Her insights have been featured in publications like Canvas Rebel, Voyage Austin, and Austin Woman Magazine Women to Watch. A seasoned speaker, she leads discussions and workshops focused on business building, branding and market impact, empowerment, and personal development. Her signature talks showcase a powerful range, from sharing her personal story of overcoming trauma to her “Year of Yes” to providing actionable strategies for making an impact in both business and community. At the heart of all her endeavors, from commerce to community, is a fundamental belief in connection. Everything Carrie does relates to intentionally building deep, resilient relationships—the very principle explored in this TEDx talk. “The Connected Commerce: Why Your Network is Your Net Worth”. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx