Being a business leader and owner for over 20 years, I have often been questioned about what others would view as my ‘competitors.’ And for over 20 years I have always had the same philosophy; regardless of the industry, my response was simple: “There is enough business to go around for the good ones, I would just like those to work together to get rid of the bad.” But the truth is that no matter how much anyone will try there will always be bad in everything. I choose daily to surround myself with good, with positivism, with those that want to make a positive difference in the world. I have never focused on the negative or what others may view as my ‘competition,’ in fact many of my close friends for over 20 years have been those ‘competitors.’ I have always viewed businesses or organizations that speak negatively about another to be of poor character. Those actions themselves will speak of their true purpose. But at the end of the day, I understand it may sometimes happen by default or be taken out of context.
Many know that I have been involved in pageantry because of my daughter competing for the last 9 years. I, myself, did not compete at a young age but have competed in two pageants as an adult, both resulting in friendships made across the country and the world, an even stronger bond with my daughter, and a better understanding for what true beauty pageants are all about. The true beauty behind the right pageant system consists of: creating those lifelong friendships, memories, opportunities, a voice to many platforms or missions young ladies want to make a difference in, and learning new life skills in confidence, public speaking, and interviews. Second to all of that, in my opinion, are the crowns and banners. And despite the always controversial swimsuit or fitness competitions, the best pageant coaches in the world, have taught their clients that those competitions are once again truly won from the neck up.
Because of my daughter and I being involved in pageantry for so long, including with a few of the largest systems in the world, people often reach out inquiring about what systems we recommend, tips we can give them, and of course we get asked “So is it really as dramatic as it seems on television?” It is true that there are literally hundreds of systems across the country but for the majority of them; they all serve with the right intention to support building confidence in their girls and giving them the experience of a lifetime. It is also true that over the last several months there has been a lot of chaos and negative media attention on two of the largest systems in the world. But regardless of how long a system is around for, they are businesses, and therefore at some point there will be leadership changes, strategic changes, or changes to their structures. The media just likes to bring more attention to anything that can be perceived as dramatic and with the negative stigmas that pageantry has in general, it makes them an easy target. So I thought I would write this to share my responses to some general questions while remaining unbiased and regardless of where you live or what your level of interest is in competing in a pageant.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Large system or small system, which is better? Just like any business you are looking to work with, you need to find one that will suit your needs best. Many girls will start to gain experience with smaller systems to build their confidence up to compete in a larger system. There are also some that feel confident in competing in a larger system right away. Size, in this case, does not matter, in my opinion. Leadership does. Learn about the leadership behind any organization because leadership will come from the top down and should give you a feel for compatibility. Not every pageant is for everyone but because of the multitude of options, there seems to be a pageant to cover most people’s interests.
2. Why do pageants seem so expensive? You have to remember that pageant systems are businesses, they have bills to pay just like any organization as well as prize packages to be put together for their winners, and support systems to promote and support the new winners for the year they are ’employed’ by the organization. Entry fees may vary based on size of system as well as their prize package and amount of support given during the year reign of their new titleholders. Again, look into the mission of the system and ask questions. Pageants are an investment in your life skills. At the end of the competition, there is only ONE crown per division, so what will you take away from the competition if it is not a crown.
3. Why are there so many systems? Why are there so many different cell service providers? Just like anything consumers look for, pageantry is no different. If there was a need not being fulfilled, a business is going to open to try to fill that need. The real question is again, will that business/pageant system fill your need? KNOW what you are looking to gain out of your experience and do your research. I will sound repetitive but look to the leadership and their values. You have the right to research and interview the system as much as they interview you to see if you should be a representative of their system. The last thing you want to have happen is to win a title for an organization you would not want to positively promote throughout your year. That will make for a long year!
4. Do you need experience to compete in a pageant? Yes and No. This is up to your comfort level. Many good systems will have workshops or pre-event prep meetings to help you prepare. As mentioned earlier, there are smaller systems that many utilize to gain more experience. There are also many reputable and positive coaches that can help you feel more confident before you ever walk across the stage. Take advantage of the system you are going to compete in by asking them for tools, tips, workshops, or references of who to work with if you are unsure. Strong leadership supports questions, always.
5. Are there red flags to watch for? As I mentioned initially, any business or organization that will speak negatively or deter you from who may seem like ‘compeition’ speaks a lot of the leadership and character of the organization. This has always been a red flag in business for me. The pageant systems that we have been involved with support what I like to reference as “positive pageantry” and all play nice in the sandbox so to speak. There is really no reason not to, despite the amount of competition as it should be about the girls and their experiences, not about the business. At the end of the day, it will come down to you doing your due diligence to feel comfortable with who you are aligning with. What may be a good system for one person may not be for another. Different needs and wants will result in different outcomes. It is NOT about ‘you get what you pay for’ in regards to pageantry. Whether it is a coach, a gown, an interview outfit, or the system itself; the more expensive it is does NOT mean the better it is. I know of many excellent resources for coaching, clothing, gowns, and systems that are not the most expensive in the industry.
6. What hidden costs are there? With any reputable system, there should not be hidden costs. Period. So just inquire. Again, there are a lot of resources out there but reach out to friends, family, or the system itself for guidance. You need to take into consideration that if you should win a local or state title and continue to move on towards more rounds or further competitions, what will those expenses be? This is an investment in your future, in your life, in your skills, that you will take with you forever. Done right, this will open the door for more opportunities, more friendships, more experiences than you could ever imagine. But with anything that valuable, it will take dedication, conviction, perseverance, and hard work. Don’t be frightened off by the expenses; most systems will also give you outlets to gain credit with them or how to recruit sponsors within your community to help you cover the costs.
Positive pageantry will always support positive pageantry because the mission should be the same…and that is Project Confidence. At the end of the competition, feel confident you will walk away with something other than a wardrobe you are not going to wear again until the next competition. It may be those life skills, the new friendships, the experience, but feel confident you are making a difference in your life before you enter. Feel confident that it is NOT just about a crown and banner. To go into it for ONLY that, will almost always ensure you do NOT walk away with it. It is a job you are applying for within an organization. Be prepared to work to get that job and be prepared to represent that job not just for that year but any time you are asked about it. It is an exciting and amazing opportunity, so my last tip is to stay true to yourself and HAVE FUN!
