The Life of a Queenpreneur with Leah Hadder

The Life of a Queenpreneur is an interview series that showcases young women who balance the role of a queen and the role of an entrepreneur. A queenpreneur is unique because she possesses a graceful style mixed with a hustler’s ambition. This interview will feature Leah Hadder, Founder of SASH: Pageant Consulting.

Tell us about yourself.

I am an Alabama native, and I moved to Arkansas in 2008 to pursue higher education. I graduated from Arkansas State University with degrees in business and an MPA. I worked in education and educational administration for several years before moving to Tennessee to purse life coaching and consulting. I founded SASH: Pageant Consulting in 2018.

I have competed in pageants across Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. I have won several titles and side awards. In addition to competing, I have judged, hosted, and emceed pageants as well as directed. My favorite aspects of competition were always meeting other contestants and pursuing opportunities to share my platform.

What is SASH Pageant Consulting, and what inspired you to create this business?

The purpose of SASH is to provide pageant contestants with additional training and resources to compete in pageant competitions. SASH provides the following services to pageant contestants: interview preparation, modeling, paperwork consultation, platform development, social media development, talent coaching and wardrobe consultation.

What inspired me to start the business was the fact that I was the “go to” person amongst many in my former local community related to all things pageantry. I received numerous phone calls, text messages, social media messages and more asking me questions such as: “What pageant system should I compete in?,” “Is this dress appropriate for evening gown?,” “What is fun fashion?,” and “How should I style my hair for competition?” I then began to ponder different ways to provide an outreach in which I could assist contestants with sharpening competition skills as well as informative pageant consultation.

What made you want to become an entrepreneur?

Since the first day of my freshman year of business school, I always had a dream to manage a business. I remember hearing a former professor explain once that we as students all had the potential to be our own boss. This concept sounded great to me even though I did not know exactly how to pursue that passion. After deciding to change career paths, I then began to evaluate what skills I had to build my business, and after a lot of hard work and listening to advice from other professional entrepreneurs, my business, as they say, “took off.”

Did competing in pageants prepare you for running a business. If so, how?

My involvement in pageants tremendously prepared me to succeed in running my business. Competing in interview competitions allowed me to strengthen my public speaking skills as well as my interview skills. I can express my thoughts clearly and communicate more effectively with others.

Competing in pageants introduced me to networking aspects that I had not been exposed to in other areas of life. I used to be shy to talk to other people I did not know, and now I talk to almost everyone! I have really enjoyed being able to meet and connect with other queens and entrepreneurs.

Because I competed in different pageant programs and systems, I was exposed to efficient marketing tactics. Many titleholders are now required to create some type of website or social media page to inform the public about their appearances and provide information about their pageant system. Since I had created social media posts for a former title, I then began to research and learn about different ways to market my business through social media. I still have so much to learn, yet it has been a fun process!

What are some of your other business ventures?

Most people know me as someone who only works with pageant contestants or solely in the pageant industry, although I “wear many hats.” I have worked as a life coach for a year teaching necessary life skills such as communication, networking, achieving goals, etc. I have continued working as an educator through college preparatory coaching as well creating assignments for homeschool studies, teaching college preparatory seminars on interview skills, researching college programs, etc. Additionally, I have coached others on tips to succeed in getting hired for a job or being selected for a scholarship.

What are some of your entrepreneurial goals?

My list of goals continues to expand. Some of my goals include, growing my business nationally and internationally, directing a national pageant, and writing an autobiography sharing stories about my pageant experiences.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself learning daily to become a very successful entrepreneur and building my personal brand. I will continue working within the pageant industry in addition to working as a consultant.

What is one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs?

Always be adaptable to change. Whether you are selling a service or a product, you must remember that the market will not always stay consistent. Preferences and tastes will change. Demands will change. You must do what you need to do to “go with the flow.” You will seem more marketable and open more opportunities for your business to expand and grow if you pay attention to the latest trends. It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it.

Please provide your contact information so that others can reach out to you.

You can contact me by email at lhadder_pageants@yahoo.com.

Website: https://sashpageantconsulting.weebly.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sashpageantconsulting

Instagram: www.instagram.com/leahhadder

Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahhadder