THINK BIG Baltimore Entrepreneur Conference, July 2011

Today I attended a superb event for entrepreneurs, investors, and startups called "Think Big Baltimore". The event was hosted by Towson University and it was indeed a fun and exciting day, packed with networking opportunities and educational breakout sessions. Kudos to the planning team, Towson University, and all of the sponsors!

I cannot express how much fun I had at this event, as I had the opportunity to speak up and stand out (which is really what successful entrepreneurship is about - getting up and saying something to make something happen).

Our opening keynote was by one of the Democratic candidates for Mayor of Baltimore, Otis Rolley. Mr. Rolley spoke on the opportunities that the City of Baltimore can provide for entrepreneurs. Enlightened by his passion for the community, we proceeded into our daily breakout sessions. I spent my time in sessions with Norm Goldstein, a highly successful life and business coach (who spoke on "Incremental Innovation") and with Greg Cangialosi, a fellow UMBC alum (who spoke on the Stages of Bootstrapping). Both sessions - amazing! I was really impressed with Greg (and probably because we are both UMBC alum, but hey...): you often hear things like "hire slow, fire fast" or "you must believe...no fear of failure", but when you can put things into perspective so quickly and so easily...that says something. I'll be honest, I was on the younger end of the age spectrum at the event, but it's people like Greg that make attendees want to come back. Thanks for that Greg! I'll definitely be in touch!

Also, a special shout out to my dear friends Todd Crandell (former candidate for office in Baltimore County and uber-business advisor) and Keith Baird-Scott (President, Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce and Public Speaking Education Guru: http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/tallspeaking/) - it's always great to see people you recognize and know at these events! Thanks for making my first big/serious event enjoyable! =)

Finally, a special thank you to Yanik Silver - Yanik spoke on the 11 X-Factors of Bootstrapping but deviated from his powerpoint to open the floor. I had the opportunity to speak and man, was I glad I did! I was honored to get a mini-session with Yanik, who helped me quickly put my idea into perspective and in less than 5 minutes, set up the entire room to want to be in touch with me! Thanks Yanik! ;) I hope we can work together!!  (www.MaverickBusinessAdventures.com)

Ok, enough writing - some small pics from today:

Officially back from the Miss Maryland pageant!

Hello everyone! It has been quite some time since I've blogged -  I was busy preparing for and competing at the 2011 Miss Maryland pageant! And what a week it was - I made the Top Ten AND won the TOP OVERALL INTERVIEW award! Wow! What an honor! I am so grateful to all of my supporters, friends, family, and my 22 new sisters!

Here are just a few pictures from the week - so much happened, but I can't upload them all here! Enjoy!

For more information on the Miss Maryland program: www.MissMD.info  If you are interested in competing, the qualifying/local pageant season begins in just a few months. Look online at the Miss MD website for all of the official information - I would love to welcome you into this tight knit group of sisters!

*Congrats to Carlie Collela, the NEW Miss MD! And congrats to Ally Soule, the new Miss MD Outstanding Teen

my talent performance

Grace and I after my talent night - so tearful! It was an amazing night and we just had to express it!

At the Official Welcome Sign-In with my Teen, Megan Kiley, Miss Allegany County's Outstanding Teen

The Miss Maryland Class of 2011!

Empowering You - Improving Your Interpersonal Skills

After the workshops at the Pageant Success Expo, benefiting Children's Miracle Network, I was inspired to post something for my readers to make them think a little! I want to empower you to be better thinkers, communicators, and leaders! And this is what I found!

Thanks to Dale Carnegie Training - The Coach's Corner: "Improving Your Interpersonal Skills"

It takes time and practice to improve your interpersonal skills. Many of the skills may take time for you to adopt; however, there are also some quick techniques that you can use to start to make things easier almost immediately.

Stay professional.
Be at your best in every situation. Remember that the way you act reflects on your character. Learn to deal with situations in an appropriate way.

Establish credibility.
Be sincere. If you are truthful and upfront with people, it will go a long way to gaining another person's respect and trust.

Understand others' point of view.
Remember to reflect on what others tell you. Even if you disagree, take the time to learn and understand another person's perspective.

Learn about others.
Take time to talk with employees or clients. Conversations do not need to be work related. Sometimes simple conversations can help you learn about the person and build rapport.

Be confident.
Keep eye contact and a relaxed body posture. Be sure to speak clearly and at a moderate pace.

The Pageant Success Expo for Children's Miracle Network was a success!

On Sunday, May 22nd, 2011, I hosted the Pageant Success Expo in Baltimore, MD. This is the first expo of its kind in this area - normally, there are no real 'pageant' stores in our area, but I wanted to change that. As a result, I brought together every type of vendor that I considered to be related to one's pageant success. We had gowns, cocktail dresses, shoes, undergarments, jewelry, makeup and more! The event was amazing...it was great to see all of the networking going on and it was even better to help some girls complete this year's competition wardrobe!

A special thank you to Cheryl Wood of Cheryl Wood Empowers and MomsRTheBest for speaking at the event on "Creating the Attitude of a Winner"; to Keith Baird-Scott for speaking on "Public Speaking Success" and for combining it with communicating in the interview room; and to Elaine Roecklein for speaking on "What the Judges Are Looking For". It was truly an exciting day for all!

Here are some pics from the event:

 

www.PageantSuccessExpo.tk for more information!

*Thanks to LaQuisha Hall for some of these photos! 

http://laquishahall.blogspot.com/2011/05/pageant-success-expo-to-be-victorious.html

"Empowering You" platform event/appearance: Working with the City of Baltimore, Office of the Mayor for Work Development!

Youth empowerment is my passion - I think I've made that clear through this blog! =) Consequently, when presented with the opportunity to speak with youth from Baltimore City about developing their resume and interview skills, I jumped on board!

On May 6th, I visited youth at the Verizon building in Hunt Valley and we had a blast! We had the opportunity to go over resumes (I prepared a booklet to hand out), interview skills, individual presentations, and we did a few fun mock interviews. The kids were really excited - everyone got a new perspective on the interview room (panel interviews vs. individual interviews), what makes a eye-catching or appealing resume, how to highlight their skills both when asked and on the resume and much more!

These are the types of activities I love to be involved with - I'm all about youth empowerment! I hope you join me in future empowerment endeavors...I'm just getting started!

Miss Maryland Class of 2011 Orientation

We are officially a little less than two months away from the 2011 Miss Maryland Pageant, to be held in Hagerstown, Maryland. On Saturday, May 7th, 2011, the Class of 2011 came together for our official orientation, some fun, and some bonding -- we all had lunch at Roy Rogers and were also invited to attend a Hagerstown Suns game after orientation...so much fun!

(from left to right: Miss Urbana, Miss Historic MD, Miss Allegany County, Miss Central MD, Miss North Bay, Miss Washington County, Miss Potomac) at Roy Rogers, getting ready to order!

Christina, Chelsea, and I, enjoying our sponsored lunch...thanks Roy Rogers! Such an awesome sponsor; we look forward to your continued support!

At the Hagerstown Suns game, in the bleachers with a friend! <3 so cute!

I had such a blast this past weekend; I can't wait for Miss Maryland week! The ladies are just amazing and we are really going to light up that stage!

Emceeing the 5th Annual Fashion Extravaganza for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (OTZ chapter) on 4/30/11

One of the things I am most excited about and most proud to do is to emcee an event. I love speaking in public! What can I say?! Not to mention, I get to meet some amazing, creative, and just plain fun people...it's one of my favorite activities!

The 5th Annual Fashion Extravaganza for the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Omicron Theta Zeta Chapter was entitled, "Belle of the Ball"...it was the story of a young girl looking for her prince at a ball...the event was indeed magical for all involved! A special shoutout to my dear friend Vanessa Marcel, Nikita Barboza, Richard Malary and the entire OTZ team - it was a great show!

Here are some photos:

Talking with some of my loves during intermission!

Thanks to SublimeImages.net for this image - we did a best dressed contest! And as evident by Kylah's reaction, her choose of Little Mr. Michael won!

Just having some fun while emceeing!

Gracing the runway with one of the choices for "Best Dressed in the Audience"!

A picture of the full ballroom!

Leading another group down the runway for the "Best Runway Walk from an Audience Member"

Ok, the photographer was sitting really low, I promise I'm not just lifting my head for no reason!

And I just wanted to send out a special thank you to Keith Baird-Scott of TALLspeaking - your personal speech coach. I met with Keith just a few days before my emceeing experience and he was such a great help! He helped me put things into perspective concerning microphone use, voice tone, speed, and much more! Now, I've been emceeing for years, but you can never learn enough! Thanks so much for the tips, Keith! I'm definitely coming back for another session/tune-up before my next experience! 

Facebook: TALLspeaking