It’s been a magical whirlwind of surprise after surprise guys.  Ever since being named one of the three GRAND PRIZE winners of T.J.Maxx’s #MaxxYou Project back in July, I’ve been keeping busy representing T.J.Maxx with their ongoing initiative to help women celebrate their individuality.

I still can’t believe that simply answering the question “What makes me unique?” during a random day out shopping at T.J.Maxx has catapulted my life into what you see today.

But let’s back up a little and catch you up to speed….

What is the #MaxxYou Project?

Earlier this year, T.J.Maxx polled their customers through a nationwide survey and found that over “80% of women felt stereotyped by society into specific roles and expectations.” In an effort to inspire women everywhere and help them embrace their individuality, T.J.Maxx launched the #MaxxYou project campaign to find singular women who had amazing stories to share.  After 2 months and thousands of submissions (videotaped/ in-store/ online), a lucky group of 80 women from all over the U.S won the first prize package for an all-expense paid summer workshop in New York City. Read all about it in this POST.

What I won

Of the 80 finalists, 3 of us were selected to win the GRAND PRIZE being named “Hero Women” with further opportunities to realize our unique dreams. We received one-on-one mentoring sessions with Laila or Barbara, our personal mentors.

I even shot a commercial for the #MaxxYou Project campaign and was featured during the season 2 premiere of NBC’s #1 Emmy-award winning HIT SHOW “This is Us”. 

Watch the commercial below (fast forward to 00:16 seconds for my mini segment :D)

I’ve kept in touch with Laila, visited her on the set of OWN network’s “Home Made Simple” a design and home decorating makeover show where Laila is this season’s host/chef (seen below).

I even recorded my very first podcast on Laila’s Lifestyle channel chatting about “Female Empowerment” and what it means to win the #MaxxYou Project.  Listen to my podcast with Laila HERE

The #MaxxYou Project Lab

At T. J. Maxx, we believe that the world’s a better place when women let their individuality shine

You may remember that I flew back out to New York City again in October at the launch of the #MaxxYou Project Lab.  I got a chance to personally interact with a live art installation they built from the ground up right in the middle of Manhattan’s Herald Square.  The lab’s sole purpose was to help people gain more insight into their unique personality and key character traits that help define individual thoughts and actions.

The #MaxxYou Project Presentation

From the lab straight to the presentation, we also shared our stories and unique aspirations with 20 New York editors and journalists at the #MaxxYou project presentation on the rooftop deck of the Monarch bar and lounge.  It was so cool speaking on behalf of T.J.Maxx with the towering Empire State Building just behind us.

It was soooo surreal with one pinch me moment after another and I haven’t even  gotten to the CRAZIEST PART yet!…. dun dun dun….DRUMROLL PLEASE!!….

#WINNING

As if my two all-expense paid trips to New York City and the countless hours spent learning from Laila weren’t enough, T.J. Maxx presented the 3 Grand Prize winners with a check for $20,000.00 to help get us started on pursuing our dreams! Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!?!?!!!!  I know what you’re thinking… what the?! Lol Me too!

I still keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this reverie any minute now….

What’s next?

So here we are guys.

Inspired. Humbled. Grateful. Beyond blessed to have had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to further my personal goals of starting my YouTube design channel, all thanks to the incredible team at T.J.Maxx!!  A HUGE heart-heavy thank you goes out to Laila Ali for continuing to stay connected and help open design doors for me! You know this is just the beginning of something GREAT and I feel like I’m right on the brink of a cataclysmic transformation guys.

I cannot wait to share more in the coming weeks but for now, want to learn more about what makes YOU unique?  Then head on over to T.J.Maxx’s #MaxxYou Project website to take THIS ONLINE QUIZ:

Here are the results from my online quiz…

I am….

I know it’s VERY uncomfortable for many to talk about themselves, but shhhh it’s just us here babes <3

Tell me, what unique qualities have you found yourself embracing as you’ve gotten older?

Comment below! I’d LOVE to start this discussion with you~