We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christina Joann. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christina below.

Christina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for the Oregon Rose Pageant came from both my experience in the pageant world and my personal journey. I loved the confidence and sisterhood pageants can bring, but I also saw a gap. So many incredible women and girls didn’t feel like they truly belonged, and I kept thinking… what if there was something more purpose-driven?

At the same time, losing my sister to cystic fibrosis deeply shaped my perspective. It pushed me to focus on impact, advocacy, and building something that truly matters. I didn’t just want to compete; I wanted to create a space where people could grow, give back, and feel seen.

That’s how the Oregon Rose Pageant was born.

I envisioned a system that celebrates the whole person, not just how they look, but who they are. A space rooted in confidence, leadership, and community service. The name itself reflects that roses are strong, layered, and resilient, just like the individuals we serve.

I knew it could work because there was a real need. People were looking for something more meaningful, and the response confirmed it. The moment I heard someone say, “This feels like a place I belong,” I knew this was more than an idea; it was a purpose.

Oregon Rose Pageant is about more than crowns. It’s about building confidence, community, and lasting impact.

Christina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Christina Joann, and I’m the Founder and Director of the Oregon Rose Pageant, as well as a titleholder and advocate passionate about leadership, confidence, and community impact.

I got into pageantry as a way to grow personally, but it quickly became a platform for something bigger: advocacy, connection, and purpose. Through my journey, and especially after losing my sister to cystic fibrosis, I realized I wanted to create something more meaningful and inclusive. That’s what led me to build the Oregon Rose Pageant.

We provide more than just a pageant; we offer a full experience focused on confidence-building, leadership development, and community service. Our delegates, from young girls to women, participate in workshops, volunteer opportunities, and mentorship while preparing for the state pageant. It’s about growth, not just competition.

The problem we solve is creating a space where people feel like they truly belong. Many don’t see themselves reflected in traditional systems, so we’ve built one that is inclusive, purpose-driven, and centered on the whole person, not just appearance, but impact and authenticity.

What sets us apart is our heart. Oregon Rose Pageant is about real connection, real growth, and real community. It’s not just a one-time event; it’s a journey.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve created. Seeing delegates gain confidence, form friendships, and step into their purpose is everything.

At the core of my brand is purpose. I want people to know that this is more than a pageant, it’s a space to grow, lead, and become the best version of yourself

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most resilient moments of my journey came while building the Oregon Rose Pageant during a very personal and emotional chapter of my life.

I lost my sister to cystic fibrosis in 2002, and that loss has shaped so much of who I am and why I do what I do. While building this organization, there were moments of doubt, financial stress, and uncertainty, times when it would have been easier to stop.

But I kept coming back to my “why.” I wanted to create something meaningful, something that empowers others and creates real impact.

Resilience, for me, meant continuing to show up, even when it was hard. Choosing purpose over fear and trusting that what I was building mattered.

Now, seeing the community we’ve created reminds me that every challenge was worth it. It taught me that resilience isn’t about being perfect; it’s about not giving up.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my journey came when I realized I didn’t just want to participate in pageants; I wanted to redefine the experience.

I had been involved in pageantry and loved the confidence and opportunities it provided, but I also saw where it could be more purpose-driven and more impactful. At the same time, I was navigating career changes and uncertainty, which forced me to evaluate what I wanted to build for the long term.

Instead of waiting for the “right” opportunity, I created it.

That pivot led to the creation of the Oregon Rose Pageant, a system focused on confidence, leadership, and community impact, not just competition.

It wasn’t the easiest path. Starting something from scratch required risk, learning as I went, and stepping into leadership in a whole new way. But it aligned with my purpose in a way nothing else had.

That experience taught me that sometimes the pivot isn’t stepping away, it’s stepping into something bigger than you originally planned.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oregonrosepageant.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oregon_rose_pageant

Image Credits

I am the one with all rights to photos.