Local Pageant WINNER & Mom Encourages
“Empowerment Through
Entrepreneurship” What do you like most about living in the D.C. area?
I LOVE everything about it! The international environment,
the politics, the family-friendly atmosphere…there is so much
to do with families!
Can you describe an average day in your life?
The average day in my life is busy. In the summer, I wake
up with the kids, have a healthy breakfast and head to [the
gym]. My kids love it there. I get to work out and then we
usually stay for lunch and hit the pool. Each day is somewhat
different with play dates or fun excursions. I love to be active
with the kids — parks, hikes, picnics, museums — you name
it, we’ve been there! I also have a business, so I spend time on
that each day as well. The best part about my business is that I
work it into my schedule and can take/receive calls, messages
and orders on my phone anytime.

What kind of preparation goes into competing in
beauty pageants? Did you take classes?
My focus on preparing for the Mrs. D.C. America Pageant
and now the Mrs. America pageant is being in the best
mental, emotional and physical shape I can be. If being in
your bathing suit on a stage in front of a lot of people doesn’t
motivate you, I don’t know what would! Joking aside, it feels
amazing to be 38, having had three children and being in the
best physical shape of my life. I didn’t take classes or get a
pageant coach; I really just focus on being my most authentic
self. I most definitely do not consider pageantry a competition
with other women. I consider it a celebration of women— all
different, all unique and all beautiful in many different ways.

My only goal is to present my very best self, not only during a
pageant, but at all times.

How did you choose your platform, “Empowerment
Through Entrepreneurship?”
I have always enjoyed working with, supporting, and
connecting women, and that is what I encourage and want
to promote to our community. Women are the backbone to
our society. We are intelligent, multi-tasking, creative and
compassionate beings capable of anything. One woman can
make a big difference in the lives of many. When women
support and lift each other up, well, that is powerful thing.

12 September 2015 washingtonFAMILY.com
Family photo: Jessica Funk Photography
Family Photo on the waterfront: Mark Kanawati