Today we’d like to introduce you to Florence Fasan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Florence. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I founded the Miss Elegance Georgia Pageant from a passion to inspire and empower young teens. The pageant is designed to promote poise, integrity, character, community involvement and creative accomplishment in teen girls. I am a Certified Etiquette & Image Consultant and I took a special interest in teenage girls in my determination to ‘catch’ them early to groom and prepare them in being the best representation of themselves in this fast era where the world defines who they are.
The Miss Elegance Georgia pageant is a purpose-driven event for teen girls ages 13 to 18. Over six weeks, our contestants are taught social media etiquette: what to/not to post online, how to represent themselves well, how to interact with friends or followers, educate and prevent them from cyberbullying, and avoid being preyed on by those who want to take advantage of them. Dining etiquette: table manners, understanding place settings, formal dining, the understanding of the difference in culture when dining.
Personal hygiene: Hair, skincare, makeup, etc. Public speaking: public appearance, presentation, and social skills. We show them how to walk, talk, sit so they carry themselves with grace, poise, and confidence. We also provide personal development sessions that prepare our contestants for the theme for the year. Last year we had the theme “Who am I? “and the previous year “Taking off the Mask.” These sessions prepare our contestants to face their fear, vulnerability, insecurity, etc. to ensure they become confident young ladies.
We ensure that our contestants look at their participation as a learning experience and not an unhealthy competition that will affect that confidence, thus our mantra “everyone is a winner.”
Has it been a smooth road?
The first-ever pageant in 2016 was the most challenging. When the vision to start the pageant manifested, I had no idea of how I was going to put it together but I edged on. I had to make major decisions on where the pageant will be held, the date, the performances, the program, publicity to get contestants and attendees. The good thing is that along the way, I started to connect with people who saw my vision and gave a helping hand.
Determination, persistence, and perseverance, where my biggest strengths in getting the pageant started and running, I will encourage any young woman who has the vision to start something to set clear goals and ensure they follow through and if for any reason they can’t be met look for the next best solution rather than give up.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am also an author. My burning passion to find answers that will help others strive is the purpose of the compelling, inspiring and thought-provoking book I have written. I have written four books with the most recent titled “Who Am I Without the World,” which was inspired by a contestant who had joined the pageant because her parents wanted to help boost her confidence which she had lost having being bullied and was told she wasn’t beautiful. She narrated to me how she felt the world saw her and Aha! The thought to write a book to empower teens to guide them on how to be centered and grounded amidst what the world influenced them by was birth.
My most fulfilling project is the pageant as I feel so proud to see these young teens blossom into confident young ladies and leave with life skills that will help them become our leaders of tomorrow. I believe I can’t change the world but I can influence one person at a time and thus I am focused to make that difference, this set me apart.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
When looking for a mentor, it’s important to pick one who influences you. They have a purpose, are willing to share information, are resilient, are not egocentric and have a track record of success and are passionate. What has worked for me is to eliminate comparison to others, which can be unhealthy, but I look for people who I am influenced positively by as a guide and set my eyes on being a better version of who I was yesterday.
Contact Info:
- Website: For more about me please visit www.florencefasan.com and for the pageant www.misselegancegeorgia.com
Image Credit:
David Grant
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