For years, women have been told to choose—brains or beauty, business or creativity, career or family. But the truth is, we are not meant to fit into just one box. We can be elegant and intelligent, ambitious and artistic, strategic and soulful. We don’t have to choose just one path; we can carve out spaces in multiple worlds.

As someone who has competed in beauty pageants, built businesses, and authored a children’s book, I’ve learned that embracing multiple passions isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. Balancing these roles has allowed me to grow, inspire, and make an impact in ways I never imagined. I have been able to serve in impoverished villages in Africa while sharing my book with children of all ages. I know that my purpose is bigger than any one title. It’s about growth, impact, and showing others that they, too, can pursue everything that sets their soul on fire.

Humanitarian Daryllen Stone during one of her annual outreach missions to Africa.

Author Stone sharing her book, Sienna the Spotless Giraffe, and its message of redemption and acceptance.

One of the biggest misconceptions about pageantry is that it’s only about glamour and looks.  Yet, behind the dazzling gowns, glam and bright stage lights, was months of preparation—practicing interviews, perfecting my walk, and refining how I presented myself with poise and authenticity. Just like in business and writing, success in pageantry depends on preparation, confidence, and the ability to communicate a message.

Pageant Queen Stone walking the runway and striking a pose.

Instead of treating my passions as separate, I find ways to integrate them. My pageant experience helps me confidently present my business ideas, and my entrepreneurial mindset helps me market my books effectively. My writing allows me to share my personal journey, inspiring others who want to pursue multiple passions. Everything I do feeds into the other, creating a cycle of growth and creativity. These aren’t  separate parts of me; they are all connected, each making me stronger in the other. I embrace the overlap, knowing that every skill I sharpen in one area only helps me thrive in the others.

Entrepreneur Stone at one of the Retirement & Assisted Living Facilities she owns and operates in Southern California.

No woman does it all alone. Whether it’s collaborating with a team in business, hiring an editor for my books, or working with a pageant coach, I’ve learned that asking for support doesn’t make me less capable—it makes me more efficient.

The idea that women must choose between beauty, brains, and creativity is outdated. We are capable of excelling in multiple areas, redefining success on our own terms, and proving that we are limitless.

So, to the women who have many dreams—embrace them all. You don’t have to choose. You can be bold, brilliant, and beautiful. You can be an entrepreneur, a writer, a speaker, a creator, a leader—all at once. The power of multi-faceted women lies in our ability to balance, adapt, and thrive in every role we choose to pursue.