Happy Thursday you beautiful people I hope your day is going great and you woke up feeling ready to conquer your day. Today I have the pleasure to interview our Miss Mission Canada Brittany Elizabeth Alice and learn a few things about the beauty world I never knew. Let’s dive in.
1.) It’s great to be here today and have this candid conversation with you, so lets start by telling us a little about yourself?
B.) Thank you for having me as your guest! My name is Brittany and I am a female entrepreneur and Miss Mission Canada 2022. I love anything sparkly and seeing people around me genuinely happy. I spend most of my time meeting with amazing humans, working away on my laptop or behind the camera at a photoshoot or maybe my Instagram stories. I am wildly passionate, very easy-going and usually not dressed appropriately for the weather. If you happen to see me out I love hugs and would be so excited to meet you.
2.) How long have you been competing in pageants and what got you started?
B.) I competed in my first pageant at 7 or 8 years old and it was a very impressionable experience. My mom had me dabbling in some very 90’s style modeling and at the time the main modeling agency in Calgary (Patti Falconer Agency) was heavily involved in the Calgary pageants and so it organically happened. I am very thankful my mom put in a lot of time and energy (and I am sure some money) to ensure I had these opportunities for growth and of course to enjoy the fun of it all. Pageants are such crazy but fun days even as a young girl so I got back into competing as an adult in 2019/2020!
3.) What is your platform and why is it so important to you?
B.) The Female CEO initiative was created to drive my goal to the next level, to reach, showcase, and support thousands of female business owners across my beautiful country. I use my knowledge of people’s interactions with social media and my understanding of engagement to drive my message and inspire many to shine. With each story of determination and success we will see more and more women come forward as leaders in their community. Professional working women believe that access to and networking with female leaders will help them advance in their career. Imagine how much you are amplifying the success of women GLOBALLY just by pursuing your own goals and stepping into that power for us all. My passion for people’s success, as well as for traveling, fuel my entrepreneurial goal to grow a stronger, more unified female presence in the business world. I am passionate about MY MISSION for the future of our women and ultimately the NEED for them to be in leadership roles all over the WORLD. Female CEO is so important to me because I want more for the women in this world and if I can create this platform that makes things just a little easier and inspire young women to pursue their dreams then I know it gives me hope that I will also succeed long-term. If we see the success of others it illuminates a path for us and shows that there is someone out there who understands our need to succeed and create our own personal freedom.
4.) Your are also the founder of Female CEO, can you tell us a little about that?
B.) Women deserve to be the executive decision maker in huge world issues, their businesses and their personal lives no matter where we live. We deserve, despite being marginalized so deeply in our history and in some places still today, the luxury of climbing our way to the top. We are strong, resilient and ready to see the next 20 years show ground breaking progression for women in business just as we’ve seen such huge milestones in our past. The basis of the platform and the work I do with it is to not only give young girls from any background the visual of real women achieving their goals and being role models but to also provide affordable services to female entrepreneurs. From influencer and modeling services to complete website design and building to marketing and brand development plans I try to offer support and services to females that I truly wish I had when starting my journey. With many opportunities to network and market their brands I also do my best to offer a community feeling to these women who may be feeling alone and challenged daily to do more than seems possible alone. Female CEO is a place where women are not alone in anyway and I want them to feel that when they come to me or my page and hopefully take the time to learn more about my mission.
5.) What do you think is the biggest problem facing young people today?
B.) The access to endless ANYTHING online. This creates so many unnecessary comparisons and pressures at such an impressionable age. We forget that too much of anything can sometimes be worse than nothing at all. I feel this is such a large issue because there is no way to contain the problem and as technology continues to progress it will only become worse. I truly hope that we can continue to educate young people on positive lifestyle choices and staying authentic to themselves despite what you have access to online to help combat the damage access to the internet could do.
6.) How do you define success?
B.) Success to me is spending your days doing what makes you feel fulfilled. That can look different to everyone and it’s important to note that when watching others online. Success is not one simple destination. Success can be little things each day or a large milestone achievement that bring joy to your life.
7.) What are the most common misconceptions people have about beauty pageants?
B.) Oh my goodness, so many but I will name a few that I find so wild! People think it is just your walk on stage and a few small questions that lead us to a sparkly crown that changes our lives overnight or that all pageant girls care about is expensive gowns and looking perfect. These are all the smallest parts of most pageants. We prepare for months to speak well and present ourselves as professionals with potential to change HUGE world issues in short amounts of time. Oftentimes people do not realize pageants can include large portions of the scoring system going to how much money you fundraise for a cause or how well you speak in front of a camera or on stage with thousands of people watching you. We oftentimes get told by others it is not a space for young women and that we shouldn’t be allowing these professionals to judge us yet we are literally being judged by people outside the pageant industry in a negative and assuming way. We ASK for these judges to help us improve and we welcome these voices into our lives unlike the uneducated opinions of people who more than likely do not have any experience in the pageant industry or us pageant sisters know they more than likely wouldn’t feel that way! Pageant haters are super funny to me because there are so many random shows and male dominated industries that people support but pageantry really upsets those who don’t know much about it. Just like anything we have progress to do but also finding opportunities that empower women is rare and a huge win for me so I hope others will be more open-minded to pageants.
8.) What do you think sets you apart from other contestants?
B.) My strong clear mission as well as my mindset. I love the crown and of course I want to WIN but at the end of the day I also LOVE the process and I see every benefit competing can have regardless of a title or not. If I wasn’t in a pageant I would still be living the same lifestyle and pursuing my passions so I think as a competitor it feels less stressful, rehearsed and people can tell that when they speak to you. I really LOVE pageant week and I try to make the absolute most of these rare opportunities to be surrounded by 30 or more other AMAZING and powerful women and I do find that some competitors miss out on enjoying this. Part of my mindset is that realistically the odds can be like 98% chance you do NOT get a crown so why rely ALL your success and happiness on that 2%?! There are so many little things in that 98% that people consider failure just because you didn’t get a crown and that makes me so sad. As a competitor this can help set you apart so much because how you handle the loss is just as important if not more important than how you handle the win. Enjoying the process of personal growth, networking with women around my country and soon the world is so much more valuable than a crown to me. The crown is a beautiful and once in a lifetime opportunity type of bonus for me.
9.)You’re set to compete in the Dominican this September for Miss Mission International representing Canada and I have to know what are you most excited for? Do you get nervous?
B.) I am insanely excited to meet all the girls and enjoy a week of pageant life. As mentioned I LOVE PAGEANT WEEK. I love getting to meet all the girls and seeing it all come together on stage. Pageant week is like this huge whirlwind sleepover with all the prettiest and most successful girls you know but you have crazy busy days and barely sleep. I actually usually only get nervous as they are literally about to call who makes it into the finals because that is the moment that decides if you need to push yourself further or can enjoy others’ success. I am confident that whatever happens is meant to happen and I have put all the work I can in, stayed authentic to myself. I think I get more nervous in preparation, I try to do as much as I can in all aspects so that I do not feel as nervous traveling to the show. By the time I leave I hope the work is done and I am just ready to enjoy a week with my pageant sisters and pretty outfits.
10.) In your opinion, what is the most important part of a beauty pageant?
B.) To me the most important part of a beauty pageant is what it teaches you and the lasting relationships you can make. I cannot stress to people enough how supportive and inspiring the women you meet in the pageant world are. I LOVE being on stage, do not even think for one second that part isn’t so cool to me but that is a few quick moments of my life but the following YEARS of valuable connections with even 1 amazing person makes the experience so worth it.
11.)How has failure helped you in your achievements?
B.) Failure creates grit and when you are building confidence it is important to know that you can pick yourself up, start again or continue moving forward even if things get tough. Oftentimes failure in one area can lead us to success in another. I have personally “lost” most pageants I entered and have had business ideas see zero profit but it truly has made me more resilient to the ever evolving world. I love the old saying that “from darkness comes light” because some of my darkest moments have gifted me things I never knew I needed in my life.
12.) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
B.) On a beach with my laptop for sure. I love the idea that my life can come with me wherever I am and I want to be doing what I love but somewhere warm!
13.) Do you have to possess a lot of self confidence to compete in beauty pageants? Do you have any advice for anyone struggling with that?
B.) I think competing in pageants can build your confidence SO much so even if you are a little hesitant or feeling like you are not confident ENOUGH then it is an even bigger sign that you should do it! Pageants create clear goals and a safe space for women which gives confidence and in my opinion we need more of that to be able to make mistakes and learn from them or feel like what we have to say IS important. Speaking on confidence specifically, it doesn’t have to just be pageants that do this for you – share your passions with your friends and family regardless of titles or any judgment. The first step to confidence is doing or saying what you feel is right for you and your goals regardless of any fear. Practicing physical fitness and being educated on my own body gave me more confidence as a Personal Trainer but also in everyday life. Helping others feel confident in their businesses helps me feel confident I am a good leader in my industry. There are so many little ways to build our own self-confidence and pageantry is just a very fun and impactful way I have been lucky enough to experience. I highly recommend pageants for any age but overall my advice is to find a space to speak your truth without fear and be confident in who you are!
14.) What do you think the world needs more of and what could it use less of?
B.) Simply put we need more kindness and less people with toxic power. There are many situations that could be solved with kindness and avoided if people weren’t given the power to control and manipulate for selfish reasons.
15.) I love that you are so driven to support women empowerment, How important do you think it is for women to set goals, practice self-care and gratitude?
B.) Women NEED to take the time for this. Traditionally, we are taught as women to GIVE until we literally cannot physically give anything more, to achieve more and more with it never being considered ENOUGH and I do not think that is healthy. Take the time to really learn what your body and mind need so you can set goals for YOURSELF. Not just for work and family responsibilities but for true happiness and long term health. Women deserve to empower themselves without guilt or shame.
16.) Wrapping up is there anything you’d like to add? please make sure to give all your socials so we can follow your journey to the world stage and all things Female Ceo?
B.) I just want to say THANK YOU for all your support and kindness in my journey and now giving me the opportunity to share my platform and my story is really amazing. For anyone reading this I want you to step into your power and know that your goals are important and every small step is something to celebrate.
https://www.beliizabeth.com/missmissioncanada
https://www.instagram.com/beliizabeth/
https://www.instagram.com/missmissioncanada/
https://www.instagram.com/_femaleceo/
Thank you so much Brittany for joining us today and giving us a look into the beauty pageant world. I’m so inspired by your drive to help women in business and chase your dreams. I wish you the absolute best of luck in September and we will have to get you back on with all the details after. Be sure to follow Brittany if you’d like to see how her journey is going, support her in upcoming pageants or to feel inspired yourself.
Love an inspired Magnolia xx
Rustic Magnolia 