Erika Cannet
Erika Cannet is an accomplished finance and real estate professional with over a decade of experience in financing, brokerage services, and business development. She began her career in real estate at the age of 18 and quickly demonstrated strong business acumen, reaching six-figure earnings by the age of 20. Her path into finance brokerage began unexpectedly in 2015 when she assumed responsibility for her husband’s finance business following his sudden incarceration. Entering a male-dominated environment with no prior industry experience, Erika faced significant challenges, including resistance when seeking guidance on her first deal. However, her determination and natural aptitude for financial analysis enabled her to successfully close that first transaction, followed by completing the largest office deal at the time valued at $150,000 within two weeks. These early successes ultimately inspired her to launch her own company after being unfairly denied full commission compensation.
As the founder of Elite Funding Source, LLC, Erika has built a thriving financing brokerage specializing in business loans, acquisition financing, and strategic funding solutions for businesses of all sizes. She is a graduate of the University of Miami and previously served as a Financial Specialist at Cityscape Financials before expanding into independent brokerage leadership. Today, Erika leads daily operations across multiple business functions, including IT, client relations, recruiting, and employee training, while also maintaining her real estate license. Recently, she expanded her operations by opening a new 1,800-square-foot office designed to support a growing team of 30 professionals. She is particularly passionate about closing deals efficiently, delivering transparent financial solutions, and helping entrepreneurs access capital to achieve their business goals.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Erika is deeply committed to building a legacy of opportunity, resilience, and family-centered success. As a working mother, she takes pride in mentoring the next generation, including having her daughter work alongside her and learn business fundamentals through real-world experience. Erika’s leadership philosophy is rooted in honesty, transparency, perseverance, and empowering her team to succeed. She is focused on scaling Elite Funding Source while continuing to provide exceptional client service and expanding her team to support future growth and innovation within the financial services industry.
• University of Miami - AS
What do you attribute your success to?
A lot of it is perseverance. I have a thing that I gotta finish everything I start. When I was young, I had a major car accident and was in a coma for like 3 months. When I woke up, I didn't remember who I was or my friends or my mom. The doctors said it was gonna take a really long time for me to wake up fully, or that I might not ever get my memory back. But then one day, as I was walking in the hospital, my whole memory just came back to me all at once. I saw myself in the mirror for the first time and I had raccoon eyes from internal bleeding. I swore that day that I would never miss another minute doing nothing unless it's positive. So I'm on the move all the time. I don't sit still. I really have a hard time watching TV unless I'm super tired and going to sleep. I'm always doing something constructive.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to keep it low-key. You know, when you make money, a lot of people go out and buy everything they never had - Lamborghinis, Rolexes, necklaces. But the guy who gave me that advice is huge in New York, and nobody knows anything about him. He doesn't post anything on Instagram or Facebook or anything. He's making millions monthly, on a monthly basis, but he keeps it low-key. That advice has really stuck with me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's a hard one because it's a man's world. So I say, listen, don't laugh, don't BS on the phone. Get right to the point. If you're gonna negotiate anything, just negotiate. A lot of the men are gonna feel comfortable telling you their personal stuff, but don't add on your personal life. Just say, yup, crazy, and keep it short. Be direct and keep it short and sweet.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The opportunities are great. People have brought me their companies for me to run, which are great opportunities, but that would mean I have to shut mine down and delete my files, and I've always said no even though it was very enticing. The challenges are that because I am a female, it's a little harder to get people to stay or to get people to take you serious. On the phone I'm great, and I've been able to teach, but a lot of people say I'll come help you, and then they won't show up. When I had the smaller office, I had people work for me and it was fine, but now I'm trying to build a 20, 30 person company of guys or girls, and it's just hard.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My industry is very grimy. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there. So when my clients come to my company, and I teach everyone that comes here, we're very honest and we're very transparent. And I live like that in my life as well. Honesty and transparency are the most important values to me.