Some contestants leave a pageant with the highly-coveted crown and sash, newfound confidence, and lifelong friends. But if you’re Brandi Nash, a business woman from Wyoming competing for the title of Mrs. Corporate America, you walk away with something that most people wouldn’t expect to receive immediately — your dream job.
Nash always dreamed of being a news anchor. It wasn’t until she took a leap of faith to compete in the Mrs. Corporate America pageant in Orlando, Florida, that her dream opportunity came knocking on her door.
So how do you land your dream job when you compete in a pageant? I had the opportunity to catch up with Brandi Nash and find out how she turned her pageant experience into a profitable job opportunity.
1. Why did you sign up for the MCA pageant?
Nash: It had been 5 years since I had last competed in a pageant, and I knew if I ever competed again, it would have to be the right system for me. MCA stood for everything that I was looking for. A good friend of mine had competed in MCA a few years prior and placed first runner-up. She highly recommended the system.
2. Describe your career path before the pageant.
Nash: I was working at a hospital in injury prevention, where I facilitated the education of impaired and distracted driving prevention. While it had it’s rewards, there was no moving up in the position or department.
3. What were your career goals/dreams when you entered the pageant?
Nash: My life-long dream was to be in television broadcasting. I joined the military after graduating high school, and that’s when I met and fell in love with my husband. We started a family, and my life took another path.
4. How did the pageant transform you and make your career brand even more irresistible? Were there any aspects of pageant prep and competition that surprised you or stretched you outside of your comfort zone?
Nash: As soon as people found out I would be representing Wyoming in the MCA pageant, they were instantly intrigued and wanted to know more. This was a great opportunity to not only tell them about the system but about my background. This gave me a chance to tell others why I thought I had what it took to become the next Mrs. Corporate America! Never pass up an opportunity to speak about your platform and goals. I can’t say there was anything that surprised me or took me out of my comfort zone. I am an outgoing person that just wanted to embrace the experience. You gotta live in the moment. Don’t anticipate, but participate!
5. Did you have prior experience competing in pageants?
Nash: Yes, I had been competing for years. I have lost, and I have also won. I walk away with more knowledge, memories, and friendships each time I compete. Having said all that, though, I want to stress that experience is not necessary to compete. I have seen many first-timers walk away with the crown. If it’s your time, it’s your time!
6. Tell us about the pageant media competition. How did your dream career find you?
Nash: I wanted to make a great video for my media submission, but I couldn’t find anyone to help me, and I had all but given up on making one. Then, I asked a recent high-school graduate with film experience who attended my church if he would help me make my video. We filmed for a few hours, and I got everything in it that I wanted. I had applied as a receptionist at the local news station. I thought it would at least get my foot in the door to my dream job. I interviewed with the general manager. A few hours later, I missed a call from him, and in his voicemail, he said to give him a call the next day because he had an idea. I called first thing the next morning, and he said he had done a social-media background check on me. He asked if I was Mrs. Wyoming Corporate America. I said yes, and he told me had had watched my video! He asked, “Have you ever thought about being in the news?” That was my “glass slipper” moment! It really felt like a fairy tale. I auditioned for the weekday evening news anchor/producer position, and I got it! If you dream big and work hard, great things happen. My experience is a true testament to “Never Give Up!”
7. What advice would you give to others about using pageantry to advance in your career goals?
Nash: Pageantry is an incredible way to network. You never know where a conversation will lead you or who may see you on stage or in a video!!