“You can have the title, the awards, and the recognition, but your impact comes from the heart you give and the lives you touch.”

In this episode of Intentional Improvement, we sit down with Sharelle Mendenhall, former Miss United States, CEO, and founder of multiple businesses and the Roar Fest. Sharelle shares her journey from stepping into pageantry on a whim to winning national titles, using her platform to advocate for causes like child trafficking, and serving communities with unwavering faith and discipline.

She opens up about building businesses from the ground up, leading teams with intentional energy, and creating experiences that leave a lasting impact. Sharelle dives into the lessons she’s learned about attitude, authenticity, perseverance, and the power of faith in both life and business. This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and creating a legacy that goes beyond personal success.

Topics Covered:

00:00 – Welcoming our guest, Sharelle Mendenhall

01:17 – How Sharelle unexpectedly entered pageantry and won her first title

02:38 – Turning pageantry into a platform for service

03:52 – Why Sharelle never gave up

05:45 – The power of faith, discipline, and attitude

07:25 – Redefining pageantry as purpose and advocacy

09:01 – Everything is what you make of it

10:29 – Why attitude matters more than aptitude

13:32 – Authenticity as a source of influence

15:06 – Hold every single thought captive

16:48 – Using faith as an advantage in business

18:56 – Giving yourself permission to fail when building a business

22:52 – Lessons learned through leadership challenges

24:41 – The vision behind Roar Fest and why it was created

26:45 – Learning to serve from childhood through family example

30:10 – Why success without service feels empty

31:49 – What’s next for you in the next 5 years?

32:44 – Allow yourself to grieve

34:49 – Trusting God to avoid being paralyzed by fear and grief

38:59 – Success is becoming who God created you to be

41:22 – Living with an eternal perspective

43:06 – Leading with integrity and being mindful of the next generation

44:44 – Never give up and never give fear a place

Connect with Sharelle Mendenhall:

Connect with Erica:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericalemarr
Email: ericalemarr@gmail.com