Pageant Platform Magazine Jan Feb 2019 pageant platform magazine jan feb | Page 6

Saryna Ritter-Keddy
Ms. Illinois US Continental 2019
PPM: What prompted you to start Go Bling
Yourself?
P
ageant Platform Magazine sat down with
Saryna Ritter-Keddy, the current Ms. Illinois
US Continental 2019. Saryna shares her story,
platform and even shared some tips for current
contestants. Here’s what she had to share…
PPM: Tell our Readers about you and how you
started your Business.
SRK: I grew up in Northern Illinois with my
parents and siblings until 2014. Attended Indiana
University where I got my certificate in
Photography. For the last 11 years I have ran my
own business called "Go Bling Yourself" providing
costume and pageant accessories at unbeatable
prices. Currently I work for fashion mogul Mac
Duggal as their East Coast Regional Sales Director
and fashion merchandiser. The last 17 years of my
life I have been an active volunteer, coach, mentor,
judge and contestant in the pageant world working
with over 25 different systems. My heart lead me
to Marleigh's Ministry and Marleigh's Angel
Gowns where I am now the International
Spokesperson. I just got married on May 27, 2018
to the long-time love of my life Darren. Proud to
say we just bought our first home together in the
Chicago land area. In my free time I enjoy,
swimming, cooking, travel and designing. I am
just a woman on a mission to help make a
difference!
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Pageant Platform Magazine Jan/Feb 2019
SRK: When I started out in pageantry, I realized it
can be quite expensive. I remember going to the
local boutique and spending $80-$100 on a pair of
earrings, keep in mind back then minimum wage
was $5.15 an hour. I thought there's got to be a
better way. There must be something that I can to
help not only myself, but people around me. In 2007
I decided to start my own business Go Bling
Yourself. My objective was to save people money
and to offer a fabulous product. Whether you were
looking for jewelry, accessories or the perfect outfit,
I wanted to be a one stop shop. I continue to help
put a little extra Sparkle in lives all over the world.
Being fabulous doesn't have to cost an arm and a
leg.
PPM: How did you get started in pageants?
SRK: I started out in pageantry as a teenager.
Every year, I'd watch Miss USA and Miss America
and I would look at those girls and think, I could
never do that. One day I received a letter in the mail
about a state USA pageant. I read through the
paperwork carefully and that is when I saw they
mentioned community service projects and having
a platform. I was intrigued so I called the number
on the packet of information, I wanted to see if I was
a good fit. Knowing nothing about pageantry
besides what I had seen on TV. I wanted to be a
voice for somebody that was near and dear in my
life and I saw this is as the perfect opportunity. I
was advocating for domestic violence awareness in
teens and young adults.