In this episode, Alycia Darby interviews Caitlin Fitzgerald of PreVue Formal and Bridal. PreVue Formal and Bridal has been dressing our pageant and prom customers in THE BEST for over 32 years! Pageant Planet voted us #1 prom store in the country for the 2016-2017 season due to our selection of 16,000 formal gowns, our exclusive dress policy, and our ability to help you find the perfect dress for your occasion. We carry one of the largest selections of Sherri Hill Couture gowns and we are a top ...
Jun 14, 2017•27 min
In this episode, Alycia Darby interviews Kristen Dalton Wolfe, a former Miss USA turned Mrs. Wolfe who believes that every woman is made to sparkle with the radiance of God's romance. Though she wore the Miss USA crown, her life was changed when she realized her true identity was rooted in being a daughter of the King. Since then, Kristen has used her passion for women coupled with her background in Psychology to launch SheisMore.com, an online magazine to spread God's message that every woman i...
Jun 07, 2017•1 hr 13 min
In this episode, Alycia Darby interviews Summer Priester, Stylist/Blogger of 365DaysOfSummer.me. Born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, Summer Priester has proven that even a small town girl can accomplish her dreams. Summer has become a two-time National titleholder, the former Miss United States 2015 and former Miss High School America 2011. She is a 2016 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor degree in Fashion Merchandising. She is currently a professional Fashion sty...
May 31, 2017•33 min
In today's episode, I want to share with you some advice from Ms Lu Parker, Miss USA 1994 about preparing for your pageant interview that I love. In my pageant preparation, one of my goals was to constantly put myself in new situations where I could meet and interact with new people. The idea of this is to get more and more comfortable talking with ease to strangers in attempt to remove the pressure during pageant interview. As I prepared, I realized the more I had unique experiences, the more f...
May 24, 2017•9 min
Miss USA 2017 was held on May 14, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV! There is always so much to learn from a national pageant, especially one of this caliber. In this episode, I share my top lessons learned from this year's Miss USA pageant. For details from this episode and more resources visit: http://WinAPageant.com Email the host at Alycia@WinAPageant.com © Alycia Darby Zimnoch 2017 Win A Pageant All Rights Reserved.
May 17, 2017•22 min
Often, we feel like a roommate is more our competition, but really most pageant women just want to love and be loved. You've heard the scary stories of nair in shampoo, ripping zippers out, or hogging all the closet space. Crazy stuff does happen, but this isn't the norm. However, competition and exhaustion and the emotional rollercoaster of pageantry often brings out the worst in people. So, you'll have to actively prepare to be a good friend and earn a good friend in your pageant roommate. I h...
May 10, 2017•11 min
The Pageant Interview Game Plan course already includes several bonuses (which you’ll also get). These additional 3 bonuses are for the women who join us by May 5, 2017 (before 6:00pm PST): Now, I want to reveal what those bonuses are: #1 – I’m going to mail you a signed copy of Beauty, Truth and Grace – this is my brand new Bestseller book, it’s selling on Amazon for about $20 but only members are getting a signed copy ;) That bonus expires tonight, Friday at 6:00pm – pacific Standard time (San...
May 05, 2017•4 min
In this episode, Alycia answers a question from a listener, Joanna who hates acrylic nails and wants to know what the best style and color is for her nails for the day of her pageant. Alycia shares some scoop on what others are doing, what is the cheapest, what is the best, and what is the worst. Got a question you want Alycia to answer? Your question could be featured with my answer on an upcoming episode of Win A Pageant. Record your question for me at WinAPageant.com/Q. For details from this ...
May 03, 2017•12 min
In this episode, Alycia answers a question from a listener, Michele who struggles with her image in images. She wants to know how to appear more photogenic in everyday pictures and photos for the judge's headshot. Alycia gives 5 specific ways to look better in your photos so you appear more photogenic. Got a question you want Alycia to answer? Your question could be featured with my answer on an upcoming episode of Win A Pageant. Record your question for me at WinAPageant.com/Q. For details from...
Apr 26, 2017•10 min
In this episode, Alycia Darby interviews Allyson Rowe, motivational speaker and Miss Washington USA 2014! Allyson is a powerful speaker, professional makeup and skin specialist, and dedicated business woman. She carries a passion to see every woman embrace her own unique identity and walk it out confidently. Since her reign, Allyson began writing her first book, is a Top 15 pageant coach, and travels all over the country, speaking into and building confidence in the lives of women of all backgro...
Apr 19, 2017•47 min
In this episode, I'll share with you the top 8 pageant tips I learned while at the Beauty | Brand | Believe Expo. These tips come from 8 national pageant coaches and experts including Lu Sierra, Austin Ryde, Allyson Rowe and Jorge Esteban. Get the details of this episode on the show notes at: WinAPageant.com/102 For details from this episode and more resources visit: http://WinAPageant.com Email the host at Alycia@WinAPageant.com © Alycia Darby Zimnoch 2017 Win A Pageant All Rights Reserved....
Apr 12, 2017•15 min
Since the beginning of the podcast in 2015, a lot has happened. In this episode, I'll share about the elements of the Win A Pageant brand where we've come and the vision for the future. Here are the main take-aways: 1. Ask me your personal pageant questions at: WinAPageant.com/Q 2. Subscribe to pageant coaching playlists at YouTube videos at WinAPageant.com/youtube 3. Buy the paperback or kindle copy of the Bestselling book at: WinAPageant.com/book 4. Join our winning pageant community at WinAPa...
Apr 05, 2017•17 min
Today, we are celebrating 100 episodes and you’re invited to all the goodies! In this episode, you’ll learn how to celebrate your success along the way to your pageant win. Special Offer: Get the Brand New Pageant Book, “Beauty, Truth and Grace: Pageant Coaching to Win on Stage and in Life” now through March 30, 2017 for only 99-cents. Get the special deal at: WinAPageant.com/book © Alycia Darby Zimnoch 2017 Win A Pageant All Rights Reserved....
Mar 29, 2017•13 min
In this episode, Alycia Darby interview David Van Maren, co-executive director of 4 state pageants for Miss and Teen USA. David has worked in the entertainment industry for 30 years, and owned his own agency for over a decade. He is a personal manager and has booked 1,000's of jobs for models, actors, artists, athletes and more. In 1999 he judged Miss Washington USA and the next year, he was invited to become the state director. A few years later, he added Idaho, a few years later Montana, and m...
Mar 22, 2017•36 min
In this episode, Alycia Darby interview Alayah Benavidez, Miss United States! Alayah was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She has her Associate of Arts degree in Teaching and is pursuing her bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. At a young age, Alayah discovered a passion for literature and as an adult has seen first-hand how her love of reading has helped her to develop confidence in testing and public speaking. This is what led Alayah to begin her own campaign, Rea...
Mar 15, 2017•29 min
In this episode, Alycia Darby interviews Maureen Francisco. Maureen is the co-executive producer of Pageants NW, which produces the state qualifier to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA for ID, MT, OR and WA. She's also organizing a confidence building workshop, Beauty | Brand | Believe Expo next month. To keep life interesting, she's done everything from being a published author It Takes Moxie, a book about achieving the American Dream to appearing on a game show and reality show, and being a TV news r...
Mar 08, 2017•34 min
The top 10 contestants can usually be selected from paperwork alone. Most pageant women don't put a lot of thought or effort into their paperwork, but for my clients, we take days crafting it to guide the interview and give them a leg up. One question that comes up a lot is whether or not they should put their old pageant title on another pageant paperwork. In this episode, I'm going to share with you 7 thoughts a judge may have when they see (or don't see) past titles on your paperwork. Hopeful...
Mar 01, 2017•11 min
There are lots of things to spend money on in pageantry from wardrobe, shoes, earrings, to not to mention week-of stuff like DVDs, gala tickets, special seating, backstage roses, contestant gifts... it gets expensive. And, when you're working with a budget (as we all should be to be good stewards of our money), it's hard to know what's important and what's not. Today, I'm going to break down how to choose your investments wisely so you reap a life-long return. For details from this episode and m...
Feb 22, 2017•16 min
I did a 4-part series, starting at episode 27, that talks in detail about how to get sponsors, but there's another way to get financial support for your pageant and that is fundraising. In elementary school, you probably sold candy bars, Christmas wrapping paper and lollipops as fundraisers. This stuff is for kids. It's a lot of effort with little return. There are other ways to fundraise, ways that can bring you far more profit in a shorter amount of time with a smaller group of people. That's ...
Feb 15, 2017•11 min
In this episode, I share the story about my second pageant ever and how my sister with her zero pageant experience and amazing life wisdom at age 22, talked me off a ledge and out of the fear that would've surely kept me away from God's plans for my life. I share with you the two-step (well, really it's three) process to get off your ledge and step into your purpose in pageantry. God's got a plan for you; don't let fear get in the way. For details from this episode and more resources visit: http...
Feb 08, 2017•15 min
One thing that is obvious to most pageant women is that in order to win your pageant, you have to truly be a star. When you meet a star, you'll know it, but it's hard to explain what it really means to be a star. It's also evident when it's not there, when something is missing even if you can't quite put your finger on what exactly is missing. In this episode, we're going to unpack exactly what this 'star' quality looks like through the analogy of a real star in the galaxy. Then, I'm going to ex...
Feb 01, 2017•14 min
When you first sign up for a pageant, you're all excited, fearless, and secure in your ability to win. As the pageant gets closer and closer, fear starts to creep in. It shows up in many ways, today we are going to look at fear manifesting as the Impostor Syndrome and the Skeletons in Your Closet. In this episode, we unpack each of these fears to determine where they come from. Then, I'll share the 3 steps to wipe them out and replace them with strengths. For details from this episode and more r...
Jan 25, 2017•18 min
Alycia Darby interviews Priscilla and her husband Sean about baby boxes, their calling into pageantry, and how they work together. Priscilla Pruitt was crowned the new Mrs International 2016 last July 23rd. Priscilla is the national spokesperson for National Safe Haven Alliance, and the International spokesperson for Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Priscilla works to stop the abandonment of babies. She also works with the American Heart Association, suicide prevention, and anti-bullying initiatives. She ...
Jan 18, 2017•35 min
An awesome platform is vital to getting appearances, especially before you win a big state or national title. Your platform gets you in the door for appearances and media interviews. And when it comes to pageant week, what you've done with your platform is what separates you from all the other contestants. My clients are trained to market what we call a Legacy Project it's the product or project you lead that uses your unique skills to creatively solve a problem. One of my clients wrote a childr...
Jan 11, 2017•9 min
There are plenty of opportunities for you to answer questions during your pageant interview, on-stage question, introduction, pre-pageant media it can get overwhelming to prepare if you have no specific plan. Most women want to be so perfect, so they craft these elaborate answers to every question under the sun. Don't do that. Writing Your pageant answers is a huge mistake! Instead, I'm gonna teach you what I taught her to help you overcome this crazy desire to be overly (and obnoxiously) prepar...
Dec 21, 2016•11 min
Most women know they need to practice for their interview, but it tends to get confusing on exactly HOW to practice. Today, I'm going to break down the 3 ways of practicing for your pageant and give you some examples of how you can do each one. For details from this episode and more resources visit: http://WinAPageant.com Email the host at Alycia@WinAPageant.com © Alycia Darby Zimnoch 2016 Win A Pageant All Rights Reserved....
Dec 14, 2016•7 min
Pageant Interview is the most nerve-wracking part of pageantry. You have to loosen up a bit before your pageant interview so that you can perform in the best way possible. Tricks like imagining the judge's naked doesn't work because it takes your mind off of the whole process you need your mind to make this work! Today, I want to share with you 5 tips to loosen up in your pageant interview AND connect with your judges. For details from this episode and more resources visit: http://WinAPageant.co...
Dec 07, 2016•8 min
Today, I'm telling you the truth about the "Fake it 'til you Make it" concept. You've likely heard this phrase before when someone is trying to beef up their confidence toward an effort they aren't prepared for. Many pageant women think "Fake it 'til you Make it" it means to keep pretending you know what you're doing until someone gives you a big break. Those girls never actually make it. The difference between those that actually Make it really depends on who stops at the fake it part and who m...
Nov 30, 2016•6 min
One of the main concerns of some of the loveliest contestants is that they feel they are talking about themselves too much. It makes them uncomfortable, like they are bragging. They say they are just too humble to talk about themselves. This is a lovely quality, and professional suicide. They wish they didn't have to share anything about themselves, but then, how would anyone get to know you? Sharing your own accolades and being proud of your progress is an important skill in life. You'll attend...
Nov 23, 2016•7 min
Wardrobe is always worth considering. It's a contestant's worst nightmare to arrive to the first pageant rehearsal in sneakers and an oversized t-shirt you wore to the gym in college only to find all the other girls dressed in their Sunday best even though the paperwork said to dress comfortably.' Comfortable is a relative adjective. To pageant girls, it means to skip the Jessica Simpson shoes for their Michael Kors wedges and exchange rhinestones and lace for spandex and silk. In today's episod...
Nov 16, 2016•7 min
