Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donna Bragg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Donna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The risk began when I decided to ignore the “safe” trajectory for both my brick-and-mortar operations and my personal brand. After years of grinding to build a stable, self-funded business, I realized that playing it safe had led to a plateau. Simultaneously, I felt a calling to begin competing on the pageant stage as an “older” contestant—a space often dominated by younger voices. The backstory wasn’t just about a desire for a crown; it was about the realization that my business needed a founder who wasn’t afraid to be the face of the brand. I decided to reinvest a significant portion of my hard-earned reserves into a bold, untested rebrand while simultaneously committing to a national pageant circuit. The context was high-pressure: if the pivot failed, I’d face a personal financial crisis; if I failed on stage, I risked my reputation as a disciplined local leader.

I took this dual risk because I recognized that growth and comfort cannot coexist. Behind the scenes, I pushed for a transparent, “founder-forward” strategy that mirrored the vulnerability required in pageant interviews. I spent my mornings managing client appointments and projects, and my evenings perfecting a walk that conveyed the authority of a proprietor and the grace of a titleholder. The circumstances were grueling, often requiring me to handle customer service emergencies via my phone while sitting in the hair and makeup chair at a preliminary. I chose this path because I wanted to prove that maturity is an asset, not a liability, and that the “calculated risk” of authenticity is the only way to achieve true differentiation in a crowded market.

The gamble paid off with a synergy I hadn’t fully anticipated. My client base saw a 30% increase in engagement as they gravitated toward the authentic, multi-dimensional story I was sharing, and I ultimately placed as a finalist in numerous National Competitions as well as achieved the Miss USA Ambassodor 2022 through Prime Pageants in Orlando, Florida. By stepping onto that stage as a mature entrepreneur, I didn’t just win a trophy; I solidified a brand built on courage. This journey taught me that the biggest risk isn’t failure, but the silence of staying in one’s lane. Today, my business is thriving, and I carry that “pageant-tested” confidence into every client negotiation, proving that when you bet on yourself, the ROI is immeasurable.

Donna, 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?

Sewing became a hobby when I was quite young. My grandmother would give me extra fabric she would have leftover from her projects and I would hand sew the clothes for my numerous Barbie Dolls. Eventually I joined 4-H and took sewing projects to the county fair winning 1st place in multiple areas of seamstress work. I continued to hone my craft through the years making custom home furnishings, creating costumes for my daughters, and custom clothing for myself. What sets my brand apart is the same quality that defines my pageant journey: the belief that experience is an asset. I don’t just provide a service; I provide a perspective forged by years of navigating the ‘boots-on-the-ground’ challenges of entrepreneurship.

What I want potential clients and fans to know is that my brand is built on calculated courage. I am a problem-solver who uses the grace of the stage to navigate the marketing needs to build a bigger client base. Whether I am advocating for my small business community or representing my pageant platform, my goal is to show that a woman’s ‘prime’ isn’t a single decade—it’s whenever she decides to own her story. I invite you to join my journey as I continue to prove that maturity is a competitive advantage. When you work with my brand, you aren’t just getting a service; you’re partnering with a leader who has been tested in the most high-stakes environments and chooses to lead with authenticity every time.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I honestly believe pageantry has helped me to build my reputation in the alterations market. I have grown so much with my designs and skills these past 10 years, but pageantry has helped me to be bolder about marketing and “hitting the pavement” to get my brand out there and visible.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The ole “Word of Mouth” marketing has been the best source of new clients. Once a client has utilized my services, and this goes for most services/products/businesses, that client will share their positive experience with others. Knowing someone that has previously used a product or a service and can vouche for those things enables a new client to feel more confident about using that product or service also.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.regalprincesspageants.com
• Instagram: michigans_ultimate_elegant
• Facebook: Donna Bragg