We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Almanza recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

With a vision of service, Miss Florida Petite Pageant is more than just a pageant. The Miss Florida Petite Family is a sisterhood that embraces healthy competition and a heart to serve others through our leadership and outreach. Each contestant is asked to champion a “Personal Platform” that is near and dear to her heart, encouraging leadership, community service, and kindness.

Our areas of competition include swimsuit, evening gown, judge interview, and on-stage question. We are looking for poised, graceful, and passionate ladies who understand that their height is no limitation to pursue their dreams.

We are a pageant that shifts beauty standards, showing that no height or age is a limitation for you to make an impact and wear a crown and sash, becoming a role model and advocate for your community.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Rachel Almanza, a Cuban native, witnessed her parents’ pursuit of the ‘American Dream’ when they migrated to the United States in the early 2000s. Observing their hard work ignited my love for entrepreneurship from a young age. Holding a degree in Mass Communications, I have collaborated with Enfoque TV and been featured in promotional commercials with Telemundo Tampa.

As the owner of ‘QueenLuxe,’ an online store, and the Owner and Executive Director of the Miss Florida Petite pageant, my journey in pageantry began at Hazely’s Academy of Refinement Beauty. There, I received training in modeling, table etiquette, posture, public speaking, and interviewing skills, propelling me to compete in numerous global pageants.

Over the years, I’ve earned several titles, including Aca Florida Petite 2012, Miss Petite USA 2012, and Miss Florida Latina 2016. My passion for pageantry extends to my role as a pageant director, allowing me to empower women and make a meaningful impact. Advocating for petite ladies, I aim to convey that height poses no limitations in pursuing dreams and fulfilling the calling that God has for each of them.

Being a pageant director has given me so much purpose because I’m helping women build their self-confidence and become the best version of themselves. I truly believe what sets me apart is that I genuinely LOVE my girls, and every single one of them that signs up for the pageant. I always say people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This philosophy has kept me successful and garnered many returning contestants because I genuinely foster sisterhood and community through the pageant.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Fostering brand loyalty is everything I stand for and the reason why Florida Petite has set itself apart in the pageant industry. We are more than just a pageant and competition; we foster sisterhood and community. Every year, with a new set of contestants, I create a Facebook group for them to be on the same page and support each other. We also conduct Zoom calls a couple of months before the pageant, especially for those participating for the first time, to ensure they are well-prepared.

We host a yearly seminar where we guide the girls on pageant etiquette, interviewing skills, and runway walks. We genuinely nurture friendship and sisterhood. Many contestants return each year, and they often refer the pageant to their friends. This is how the Florida Petite pageant has grown.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.petiteusa.com/florida
• Instagram: @rachelalmanza (personal) @floridapetite (business)
• Facebook: Florida Petite Pageant
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-almanza-957209284/
• Twitter: @RachelAlmanza
• Youtube: Rachel Almanza
• Other: TIKTOK: @rachelalmanza @Floridapetite