Monique Villa for Miss California USA 2012

Why I’m Here

As a college student, I am asked an array of life-oriented questions on almost a daily basis. “What are you studying? What do you want to do with that major? What is your dream job?” It has been my experience that people struggle with these questions throughout their lives; that is, if they pursue something they weren’t meant to pursue. 

Yes, I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions my internship in 2008 at the TOMS Headquarters in Santa Monica, California. Why? Because I was able to answer these lifelong questions at the age of 19, thanks to my experience with this company. I would like to share an excerpt from Blake Mycoskie’s recent book Start Something That Matters where Sean Scott truly captures why I’m where I am today:

“I met with Blake, liked him, and thought, OK, here’s a job just like the others. The One for One idea seemed cute. I didn’t have a clue if it was viable, but Blake convinced me to help him. That was in July of 2006. In October, TOMS had sold 10,000 pairs of shoes and was planning its first Shoe Drop. This also happened to be my ninth wedding anniversary, so I thought a trip would make a great anniversary present.

By the end of the Shoe Drop, I knew it wasn’t just a nice present. It was a life-changing event. At the first stop, a wonderful woman who ran an orphanage told me that more than anything else, shoes were what she needed; otherwise, the kids couldn’t get an education. I cried. In fact, I must have burst into tears at least three times on that trip.

This caught both me and my wife, Shannon, off guard. We were changing the lives of many people. This is why Blake tries to get so many employees to go on the Shoe Drops. No one comes back the same. And that’s what makes working at TOMS different. No matter how tough the day, or no matter how difficult a customer, you get to pick your head up, take a deep breath, and say, ‘I don’t care, I am making a difference. I went there. I put shoes on their feet. I saw the tears on their faces. I saw the smiles on their mothers’ faces. I made a difference.’

The rewards of giving are enormous—not just for the recipients, but for you too. It helps you get through a bad day. You love talking about your job. You love your job. When I first came to TOMS, I was jaded. I had met too many business leaders who created an inspiring message but didn’t practice it. I thought I’d never be inspired again by my career. Now I am.” (from Start Something That Matters, pg. 158-159)

Why do I work as hard as I do? Why do I get up each morning? Why am I here? What is my dream job? I give general answers 90% of the time, mainly because I don’t care to explain these motivations to truly make a difference in this world to people who are just being polite and making small talk. However, that other 10% who are asking for the right reasons? I give them the following answer:

“The more successful you are, it seems, the more people you are able to reach out to and help. Ever since I was 19 and interned for TOMS, I realized I needed to get out there, meet as many people as I ever possibly could, and be open to opportunities as I work to get an education and put a roof over my head. I knew if I could do these things, I would get that dream job—whichever form it takes. All I know is this— if I can keep working the way I have been, someday soon I’ll be helping people in ways I never imagined. Some I will get to meet, others I will be connected to through my work. At the end of the day, I’ll know there are people out there who are better off because of something I did. I’ll know I made a difference.”

I’m graduating with a B.A. from UC Irvine in March for my custom major “Visual Media in Convergence Culture.” I’ll be passing the Miss Long Beach crown this November. I’m being honored as “30 Under 30” from our State Assembly this Thursday as 30 women under the age of 30 who are making a difference in our community. Wish me luck for Miss California USA 2012 in January. 

As far as I’m concerned, this is only the beginning. There is much more work to do.

Mo Says Buy Local!

Today after making a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up the essentials (pasta fixings, cheese, hummus, pita chips) I made a stop at my local Wednesday afternoon Farmers Market. Being a college student, I am constantly looking for the most cost-effective way of maintaining a healthy diet while at the same time supporting locally grown organic foods.

I made my way down the center of the Farmers Market, surveying the prices and the products available today. I already had in mind what I wanted: lettuce, tomatoes, fresh fruit of some kind, and maybe even an avocado for a salad.

I walked away spending a total of $6.00. For anyone who has ever avoided a Farmers Market because of the fear of spending too much money, just know that I have always spent way less buying fresh produce at the Farmers Market than I would have at any grocery store. Not only do I save money, but I also get better product which has been grown locally and was recently picked. 

For $6.00 I bought: an entire head of lettuce, a basket of fresh cherry tomatoes, a beautifully ripe avocado, AND two yellow peaches. If I had purchased these items at a regular grocery store, I would have been forced to not only spend more on lower quality produce, I would have also been forced to buy pre-packaged quantities in excess of what I really need. This way I get exactly what I need at a lower price and a healthier, higher quality.

Not sure where to find a Farmers Market near you? Simply type in your zip code to this search and select ‘Farmers Markets’: http://www.localharvest.org/

Sponsor Dinner Tonight!

Setting up for the Monique for Miss California USA 2012 Sponsor Dinner. Looking forward to seeing and meeting everyone tonight! Here at K.C. Branaghan’s in Naples until 9pm. Great raffle prizes donated by some incredible sponsors. Updates will be posted tomorrow!

A Special Morning

Something incredibly special happened this morning. I can’t accurately explain it or put it into words, but I will do my absolute best.

As some of you may know, I ran my first half marathon back on November 1st of 2008. I hadn’t been a runner before then and it took me three months of dedication and training to get to the point where I would be able to run the 13.1 miles. I decided to fundraise for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of my half marathon through Team In Training. 

We had an honorary teammate named Alyssa, who was just 4 years old at the time and was battling complications from cancer. I remember seeing pictures of her and thinking wow, she is such an angel. Regardless of how difficult it was to fundraise and train for the half marathon, I constantly kept her in mind and in the process, I was able to put my own difficulties into perspective. The reality was, my battles were nothing in comparison to hers. Because of her, I pushed forward.

Jump forward to this morning: I was asked to make an appearance as Miss Long Beach for the Jonathan Jacques Relay For Life Torch Run in Long Beach. The event features child cancer patients who run/wheel across the finish line with family, friends and sponsors. It is an incredible event to raise money for the cancer patients and the hospital but really, the event brings amazing families together for a more than worthy cause.

Upon arrival, I checked in and was sent to Station 6 which would be my post. The very first child patient I see? Alyssa. She was wheeled across the finish line holding the torch and smiling all the way. I was absolutely floored, overwhelmed with emotion, and a multitude of other emotions all at once. Here before me was the little girl who had inspired me so deeply years before. This morning was beyond special and now, I am able to stay in touch with her family. What a blessing. Alyssa continues to be my inspiration today and every day.