General Updates!

Hi everyone!

Forgive me for not updating! It's been a whirlwind two months...my coaching has taken off, School Court TV is heading into its second season, and dance season is starting up...and I landed an amazing job, teaching at the Barbizon School of Modeling, Acting, and Personal Development as an instructor. Not to mention, I've had some wonderful opportunities to judge at National American Miss and much more! Here are some photos to recap these past few weeks...and if anyone knows how to make a video blog, I'd appreciate you informing me! I want to keep up with the blogging and video blogging would be so much easier!

Judging in Virginia at NAM, with the NEW Junior Teen titleholder, Nyasha

www.NAMiss.com

My Be Victorious girls in the top 5:

4th RU: Sheila Matthews, BV girl

3rd RU: Maddie Sparks, BV girl

2nd RU: Danielle Bowman

1st RU: Joana Chery (former sister queen of mine in 2008)

WINNER: Tyler Conway, BV GIRL!

I also had:

Schuylar Johns: 1st RU, MD Pre-Teen title

Hannah Bruckheim, 3rd RU, MD Pre-Teen title

Kayla Lowdermilk, 3rd RU Junior Pre-Teen title

Christin McCall: Academic Achievement Award and 3rd RU Spokesmodel Jr Teen

Samantha Maguire: MD Junior Teen Cover Girl & Top Ten

Samantha Marshall: 4th RU MD Teen title

And outside of MD:

Debbie Mizrachi, NEW PA Junior Pre-Teen (used my writing services)

Faith Gabrielle Pierrecharles, 3rd RU NAM NJ Pre-Teen

Whew! Now you know why I haven't updated in awhile! These girls have keep me busy, but I am so proud of them all! For more on their accomplishments, please visit my coaching website: www.BeVictoriousPrep.tk

I've also been working on SCHOOL COURT TV as the TV show host and producer - we are proud to announce that County Executive Kevin Kamenetz will be appearing on our show as a GUEST JUDGE! We're taping on Sept 22nd, so if you're interested...come see the taping! Email us at Management@SchoolCourt.org for free tickets! More info on School Court TV: www.SchoolCourt.org

Finally, I've been taking makeup classes at Von Lee International...I wanted to make myself an expert! =) I know I already know how to do makeup, but hey, there is no harm in learning techniques! And yes, I am learning! I'm adding makeup services to my Be Victorious Pageant and Image Prep services, so this certification will definitely pay off!

Tomorrow I'm hoping to head to a fundraiser for the House of Ruth; pictures and a mini-blog tomorrow hopefully!

<3

"Improve and Progress" Entrepreneurial Radio Show - I did a radio interview on 06/12/11!!

While at the Think Big Baltimore conference on July 13th, I reconnected/officially met Mr. Omar Muhammad - a business consultant, radio host,  and growth coach from Morgan State University. I did an interview with Omar on his entrepreneurial radio show ("Improve and Progress") on 88.9 WEAA FM on June 12th, thanks to Ms. Cheryl Wood, my dear mentor and entrepreneurial role model.

I just realized (after we officially met today) that I should have blogged about my interview! So here is the link to the interview - I advise you to listen to the whole program (as Omar only has amazing advice and information) and to tune into his show weekly. However, if you just want to hear me, scroll over to about 46:00!

By the way, Cheryl, if you are reading this blog - thank you for continuing to be the inspiration that you are. You encourage young women (and budding entrepreneurs) like myself to challenge ourselves and think outside the box. When we first met, I had never officially "networked" at an event and it was you that gave me the courage (and somewhat of a brief outline) of how I should proceed to achieve mu goals in a room of empowered and progressing individuals. Thank you for all you do and will continue to do.


Link: http://www.improveandprogress.com/2.html
Omar on Twitter: @improveprogress
Cheryl Wood: www.CherylWoodEmpowers.com
Cheryl on Twitter: @CherylEmpowers

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!