Forbes TeamThom Brodeur, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Brodeur Beauty and PageantFans™, is taking on the challenge of transforming the global beauty pageant industry—a space historically centered on women but often controlled by men. With a career spanning leadership roles at tech and media giants like GoDaddy, Marketwired, and Yandy.com, Brodeur has brought his unique business insights to industries ranging from B2B to consumer-facing sectors. Today, he’s channeling that experience into a bold initiative: reshaping the pageant world to empower the women who fuel it.
A Call for Radical Change
Brodeur’s approach to business has always intersected with his passion for supporting and uplifting women. Now, he is setting his sights on changing how pageantry operates on a fundamental level. His goal is to go beyond simply recognizing the achievements of contestants; he wants to create real opportunities for them to monetize their talents, leverage their fan relationships, and build sustainable personal brands.
“In my career, I’ve always made it a point to recognize women’s contributions and ensure they have a platform to excel,” says Brodeur. “When it comes to the pageant industry, it’s not enough for these women to walk away with a crown or a title. They deserve long-term value, and they deserve to be at the forefront of an industry that relies on their talent and dedication.”
PageantFans™: Bridging the Gap Between Passion and Profit
Brodeur is leading the charge to make the pageant world more lucrative for its participants through innovative ventures like PageantFans™—a digital platform that connects pageant enthusiasts with contestants and titleholders. PageantFans™ offers competitors new ways to engage with their supporters, not just as followers but as investors in their personal brands. The platform allows participants to tap into opportunities such as digital content, merchandise, and funding for entrepreneurial ventures.
“Statistics show that 63% of pageant contestants identify as entrepreneurs or small business owners,” Brodeur shared in an interview. “Imagine the impact if we could help these women access funding and resources to grow their own businesses. It’s about teaching them to fish, not just feeding them for a day.”
By focusing on creating a holistic ecosystem that includes financial rewards, mentorship, and business opportunities, PageantFans™ is aiming to become the go-to community for pageant enthusiasts and participants alike. Brodeur’s vision extends beyond the contestants to the wider ecosystem, including the service providers, coaches, and other stakeholders who support pageantry.
The Digital Evolution: Bringing Pageantry to the Streaming Era
Brodeur’s connection to technology is at the heart of his strategy to modernize the pageant industry. Through a partnership with QBN, a streaming platform described as the “Netflix of pageant, beauty, and fashion TV,” he aims to revolutionize the way content is produced, distributed, and consumed in this space. QBN’s focus is on offering pageant and fashion content to a global audience, making it accessible to fans worldwide while providing creators and competitors with new avenues to showcase their talents.
The leadership behind QBN, including TV advertising and marketing expert Holly Lynch, embodies the empowerment that Brodeur advocates for. “Holly and her predominantly female leadership team bring a level of innovation and problem-solving that is unmatched. Their approach is not only empowering but essential for driving the industry forward,” he notes.
Empowerment Beyond the Crown: Redefining Success in Pageantry
Brodeur’s vision for change isn’t limited to financial gains. He is calling for a shift that will put contestants in control of their narratives, empowering them to capitalize on their visibility and skills long after the final curtain call. He believes that pageantry can be more than a stepping stone to fame; it can be a platform for building lasting legacies.
“One thing I would love to see is for Forbes to compile a list that ranks people not by their net worth but by the lives they’ve impacted,” Brodeur says. “That’s the kind of ‘richest’ list I want to be on—the one that celebrates individuals who’ve made a tangible difference. That’s a legacy worth living and leaving.”
The Road Ahead: Changing the Game for Future Generations
As industries are increasingly challenged to prioritize values beyond profit, Brodeur’s initiative stands out as a blueprint for what it means to modernize a woman-centric industry while centering the voices and needs of women themselves. The $30+ billion global pageant industry has long been ripe for innovation, and Brodeur is not only ready but committed to leading that transformation.
His efforts with Brodeur Beauty, PageantFans™, and QBN are designed to ensure that the women who dedicate their lives to pageantry find more than momentary fame. By focusing on value creation for participants and reshaping an entire industry’s approach to empowerment, Thom Brodeur is laying the groundwork for a more equitable and sustainable future.
“The time for change is now,” says Brodeur. “And I’m not just here to participate; I’m here to lead the charge.”
As the industry looks ahead to an era where value is created for everyone involved, Brodeur’s initiatives could well be the catalyst that brings about the profound transformation the pageant world has been waiting for.
