Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Sage McCarthy.
Hi Erica Sage, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started competing in pageants because I loved the idea of community involvement. I’ve earned my ticket out of poverty through perseverance and work ethic, to becoming an executive for a Fortune 500 company to now becoming a Miss Tennessee titleholder for one of the biggest pageant programs in America, National American Miss. We all have a story, my pageant journey had led me in serving with purpose. Since a teen, I’ve donated more than 4,000 hours of community service, been apart of hundreds of organizations, having a heart for service has changed my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In my 15+ years in pageantry, I’ve actually lost more pageants than I’ve won. But whether I walked away with the crown or came close, I’ve always chosen to lead with positivity and good sportsmanship. I choose to be kind to my pageant friends. That mindset has truly been worth it because my pageant friends have now become some of my biggest pageant supporters. I’ve programmed myself into learning to trust myself and my story and to not compare my journey to others. And now, when I walk onto a stage, I know I earned that moment.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In June, I competed for a Tennessee state pageant title through National American Miss and I won. I have a year of service where I attend many community events representing the program. I recently competed at the national pageant in Orlando, Florida where I represented Tennessee amongst all states. I’ll be crowning my successor this upcoming summer in Franklin, TN. Outside of pageants, I specialize in business leadership. I’ve worked for the #1 cosmetic company in the world, Loreal USA as an executive and regional, to becoming a director for a competitive aesthetic dermatology company to now the nation’s leading medical group in aesthetic medicine as a clinic leader. I lead with a genuine desire to help others shine, whether that’s onstage, in the workplace, or in everyday life through my community involvement.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk builds character. It forces you to believe in yourself. I absolutely believe in taking ‘aligned risks’, the kind with purpose, growth, and faith. I’d take a risk aligned with my purpose any day. I’m a story teller, so I’m going to give you one. My heart so desired in wanting to become a Tennessean. I love the southern roots, there’s so much warmth to the culture, and how people are raised here. A year ago, I made the intentional decision to leave Washington, D.C., where I was truly thriving in my career and community life, and where I had previously held state pageant titles in both Virginia and D.C. It was a purposeful risk, because I wasn’t running from anything, I was moving toward something that felt aligned. And now, having built a new life in Nashville, I can honestly say I’m thriving all over again. Tennessee has become home in the most meaningful way. This is where I want to raise a family, consider me a proud first generation Tennessean.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericasmccarthy
