Today we’d like to introduce you to Victory Ram.
Hi Victory, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
So, I have two… depending on which you’d like to cover:
A few years ago, my son was diagnosed as Autistic. I was told he would likely never communicate in a typical way, be in a typical classroom, or interact with his neuro-typical peers in typical ways. I don’t think I’ve ever hated the word ‘typical’ more. But what hurt more, or confused me even more, was that I was basically handed a packet of papers and told ‘good luck’. Everything was dropped into my lap and I was expected to know how to advocate for my child, learn important special needs vocabulary, navigate the special education system, and more. I turned that confusion into clarity by researching at all hours of the night, emailing every provider possible, and attending every resource fair in the state. I soon became determined to increase access to resources for families, becoming a PTA President, a Special Education Resource Liaison, and Chair of the Baltimore County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee along the way. I’ve also received several awards for my work, including the ‘Excellence in Professional Speaking’ Award. Now, it’s become my mission to teach others how to take their seat at the table to advocate for their child and to create meaningful change in their own communities.
I started competing in pageants when I was 14 years old. However, it was not until a mentor took me under his wing that I discovered the power of coaching. I turned that experience into an almost 20-year business, coaching clients to over 500 wins on the local, state, national, and international levels. I developed in the modeling and acting world as well, sending clients to win at the World Championships of Performing Arts, to walk in Atlantic City Fashion Week, and more. I also served as the Director of Education for Barbizon in Baltimore, for five years.
With both, I hope my legacy is the number of people that I have impacted to develop their communication and presentation skills to create positive change in our world.
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?
It absolutely has not been easy. Being told your child would likely never speak or interact in a typical way…or that they would have significant challenges and needs can be terrifying. First, the struggle was even getting a diagnosis – waitlists are months to years long. Second, we struggled with finding providers who would take insurance or could fit us in (the number of those who need services is significantly greater than providers). Third, my son was diagnosed during COVID, so we started a therapy program for a week and then it abruptly closed…as did many services. I quickly adopted the title of ‘teacher’ in my own, making lessons plans, hanging learning posters, and creating a daily curriculum. I am not a teacher, but I was certainly a mom on a mission to ensure my child had every chance at improvement.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I was the first in the industry to really offer virtual services. I knew that I wanted people from around the country to reach me. I also introduced online courses to the pageant world, hosting conference calls, workshops, and webinars as well. I am known for improving a contestant’s interview and communication skills.
I am most proud of the young women who I worked with who go on to change the world in their own ways. One is a news producer in New York City for NBC, several had started non-profits, several have raised thousands of dollars for causes important to them – they are my legacy. They make every late night worth it.
What sets me apart from other coaches is that I focused on personal development. For example, my girls are not just in it for the crown – we are developing their resumes, increasing their confidence, and discovering their talents and passions as well.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have a few!
– I remember performing my first school play in a lead role. I’ll never forget the applause and the joy I felt in that moment. But more importantly, I remember recognizing that my hard work paid off and how much I loved performing.
– I remember winning my first pageant! Yes, the joy in that moment was great, but it was also the first time I used a coach of any kind. I realized how important it was to have a mentor and to have someone invested in you, seeing greatness in yourself before you could even fathom it. That’s why I continue to coach – I see greatness in all of my clients and help push them to achieve whatever they set their mind to – starting a non-profit, winning a scholarship, improving their confidence and communication skills etc.
Pricing:
- For pageant coaching, in-person sessions are one-hour for $85.00.
- For pageant coaching, virtual sessions are $55 for 30 minutes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BeVictoriousPrep.com or www.VictoryRam.biz
- Instagram: @BeVictoriousPrep or @VictoryRam
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viki.mohamed.7
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victory-ram/
