If I Had to Start My Pageant Journey Over Today… Here's What I'd Do Differently

What if you could go back to the very beginning of your pageant journey with everything you know now?

In this solo episode of the Crown Chasers Podcast, Jessica C. Owens shares the lessons she wishes she had learned sooner—from investing in the right things and building a personal brand to embracing authenticity and realizing that a crown is not the measure of your worth.

Whether you're preparing for your very first pageant or chasing your next title, this episode is filled with honest reflections, practical advice, and the mindset shifts that can save you time, money, and unnecessary frustration.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why authenticity will always outperform imitation

• Where to invest your money (and where to save it)

• The skills that matter more than an expensive wardrobe

• How to build a pageant brand that opens doors beyond competition

• Why your value isn't determined by the outcome on crowning night

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow queen, leave a review, and follow Crown Chasers Podcast for more conversations where pageantry and purpose collide.

Remember: The goal isn't just to win a crown—it's to become the woman worthy of wearing it.

Join the Crown Chasers Community

community.crownchaserspageantry.com

Jessica Owens shares practical strategies for fundraising and sponsorship in pageantry, emphasizing mindset shifts, community support, and value exchange to secure funding and build confidence.

Visit crownchaserspageantry.com for more details on the Cash for the Crown Masterclass

Preparation is not optional — not if winning is the goal. In this episode, Coach Jessica Alexander-Owens breaks down the Ten Commandments of Pageant Prep: the non-negotiables every queen needs to follow before she ever steps on that stage. Whether you’re a first-time competitor or a seasoned titleholder, these commandments will challenge you to level up your prep, your mindset, and your strategy.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Ready to Reign Challenge — crownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreignchallenge

Connect with Coach Jessica

Website: crownchaserspageantry.com
Instagram: @crownchaserspageantry @crownchaserspodcast
Podcast: Crown Chasers Podcast

Enjoyed this episode?

Leave a review, share it with a queen who needs to hear this, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re ready to stop wishing and start winning — the Ready to Reign Challenge is waiting for you.
crownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreignchallenge

It’s April — and if Q1 didn’t go the way youplanned, this episode is your permission slip and your game plan. No shame, nostarting over. Just strategy.

In this episode, coach Jessica breaks down theRoyal Reset: five key areas of your reign that you can recalibrate right now tofinish this year the way you actually intended. Whether your platform hasdrifted, your fitness routine fell off, your wardrobe needs direction, yourappearances have been sparse, or you’ve been preparing without a real coachingstrategy — this episode meets you where you are and gives you the tools to moveforward.

Because the queens who win at the end of theyear aren’t always the ones who had the strongest start. They’re the ones whoknow how to adjust.

In This Episode, WeCover:

Why April is the most strategic time to resetyour reign — and how to use Q2 as your second chance

Reset #1 — Platform: How to reconnect withyour why and sharpen your message when your platform no longer feels like you

Reset #2 — Fitness: How to build a realisticroutine between now and your next competition, starting with one non-negotiable

Reset #3 — Wardrobe: How to audit what youhave, identify your power looks, and shop with strategy instead of impulse

Reset #4 — Appearances: How to stop waiting tobe invited and start creating your own opportunities — and why documentingeverything matters

Reset #5 — Coaching Strategy: Why the mostprepared queens (not the most naturally talented) are the ones walking awaywith crowns

The Royal Reset Rule: How to prioritize whicharea to tackle first without getting overwhelmed

Key Takeaways

You don’t have to reset all five areas atonce. Pick your most urgent, stabilize it, then move to the next.

Your platform should have a story, a stat, anda solution. If it’s missing one of those, start there.

Fitness isn’t just about how you look — it’sabout the energy and confidence you bring to every stage.

Every queen needs a signature color oraesthetic element. Your wardrobe should communicate your brand before you say aword.

Appearances don’t happen to you. You createthem. Pitch yourself, document everything, and build the portfolio.

Mentioned in ThisEpisode

Ready to Take the NextStep?

If this episode hit home, your next move isthe Ready to Reign Challenge. It was built for queens who are serious aboutshowing up prepared — not panicked, not scrambling. Prepared.

Join the challenge atcrownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreign

Connect With CrownChasers

Website:crownchaserspageantry.com

Events & Registration:crownchaserspageantry.com/events

Crown Chasers Pageantry Podcast is for titleholders and contestants whoare serious about their reign. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with a queen who needs to hear it.

Episode Description

You know your platform topic. You can talk about it for days. But if someone asked you RIGHT NOW — what are you actually fighting for and what impact do you truly want to make — could you answer that in 60 seconds or less?

In this episode, Coach Jessica breaks down why so many queens over-explain in the interview room and how it comes down to one thing: not knowing your core message. She walks you through the Three Layers of a Real Answer framework to help you stop filling space with words and start making judges FEEL your purpose.

If your interview answers feel scattered, too long, or like you're convincing instead of connecting — this episode is for you, queen.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Episode Timestamps

Key Takeaway

"Queens who win interviews aren't the ones with the biggest platforms. They're the ones who know exactly what they're fighting for — and can make you FEEL it in 60 seconds. That's the work."

The One Question Exercise

Grab a pen and complete this sentence out loud:

"I am fighting for _______ because _______ and I will know I've made an impact when _______."

Time yourself. If it takes more than 45 seconds — keep working. That sentence is your core message. Everything in your interview should point back to it.

Ready to Put It Into Practice?

Talking points are great. FEEDBACK is better.

Join us this Sunday for the Crown Chasers Mock Interview — a live, pressure-tested practice session with a real panel of pageant professionals. Bring your platform, bring your answers, and find out exactly where you're landing and where there's still work to do.

Register now at:

Connect with Crown Chasers

• Why over-explaining is a clarity problem, not a speaking problem

• The difference between knowing your topic and knowing your WHY

• The Three Layers of a Real Answer framework (and how to reach Layer 3)

• A powerful fill-in-the-blank exercise to find your core message today

• How to stop convincing judges and start connecting with them

• 00:00 Intro — Can you answer this in 60 seconds?• 02:00 The Overexplainer Trap — why more words don't mean a better answer

• 06:00 The Three Layers of a Real Answer framework

• 11:00 The One Question Exercise — do this right now

• 15:00 Outro + how to get real feedback before competition day

• Real panel of pageant professionals• Real-time feedback on your interview answers• The pressure of competition day — in a safe space to grow• Walk away with clarity, confidence, and a stronger core message

• crownchaserspageantry.com/events

• Website: crownchaserspageantry.com

• Book a Monday Mini Session: bd.crownchasersacademy.com/widget/bookings/monday-mini-sessions

• All Events & Registration: crownchaserspageantry.com/events

Your crown is just the beginning — not the final chapter.

In this power-packed episode, we're diving deep into the mindset shift every titleholder needs: using pageantry as a stepping stone to your greater purpose, not the ultimate destination. Whether you're competing, reigning, or transitioning out of your title, this episode will challenge you to think bigger and move with intention.

We're breaking down practical practice steps and action steps you can start using today to build a personal brand that goes beyond your sash and crown — one that outlasts your reign and opens doors long after the pageant lights fade.

If you're ready to stop playing small and start building a legacy, this episode is your blueprint.

🎯 In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why pageantry should be a launching pad, not a landing spot
• How to create a game plan designed for long-term success
• Actionable steps to build a brand that outlasts your reign

✨ Ready to take the next step? Join the FREE Ready to Reign Challenge and start building your winning strategy today!👉 www.crownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreignchallenge

Queens, this episode is arriving just in time for campaign season and we are not holding anything back! 👑

This week, host Jessica Owens sits down with the 78th Miss South Carolina State University and reigning Miss Universe Alms Miz, Errin Pitts — a woman who had a master plan from the moment she stepped foot on campus and has been winning ever since.

Errin shares her full pageant journey, from competing in her very first dorm pageant with nothing but a prom dress and a dream, to strategically campaigning her way to becoming an HBCU Campus Queen, to successfully transitioning into mainstream pageantry and holding titles for nearly 10 years straight.

In this episode, we cover:

👑 How to strategically prepare for HBCU campus queen campaigning

💡 How to campaign effectively even on a tight budget

🌟 What it truly means to reign with purpose

🔥 How to take the fire and energy of HBCU pageantry into mainstream competition

✨ What to expect during your reign as a campus queen

Whether you are gearing up for campaign season, dreaming of your first crown, or looking to take your title to the next level — this episode was made for YOU!

🎙️ Connect with our guest:

Errin Pitts — Instagram: @humbly.78

Miss Universe Alms Ms. & Mrs. — Instagram: @missuniversealmsmsandmrs

📲 Stay connected with Crown Chasers:

Crown Chasers Podcast — @crownchaserspodcast

Crown Chasers Pageantry — @crownchaserspageantry

🏆 Ready to take your pageant journey to the next level?

Join the FREE 5-Day Ready to Reign Challenge and get a brand new strategy and challenge every day designed to get you one step closer to a powerful reign!

Register now at 👉 crownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreign

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a queen who needs to hear it! 🎙️👑