When Beauty meets brain

Nancy Sumari is best known for her successes in the 2005 Miss Tanzania and the 2005 Miss World Africa competitions, where she was awarded the crown for each title. However, the twenty-four year old is more than just a pretty face.

Her success story expands miles beyond the shine of her crowns, as she is now the Managing Partner at Frontline Management Limited, an Events and Corporate Communications firm. So how does one take the leap and overcome the stereotypes of being a Beauty Queen to becoming a hugely successful PR Queen?

“I think the biggest stereotype as a former beauty queen is how serious you are with your work… I think the challenge is to always prove people wrong by doing my job well with utmost passion and dedication, and all other perks follow.”

This world dominating dream seems to have stemmed from her time in the Miss Tanzania competition, but unlike her dreams for Frontline, becoming Miss Tanzania was never a real aim.

“I participated in Miss Tanzania purely by chance. It wasn’t anything I was keen on doing prior to when I did. But then the opportunity arose, I thought to go for it. Who would have known at the time that it was to turn out for the better?”

Nancy’s hard work and dedicated attitude originated in Nairobi, Kenya, where she completed her primary education at the Shepherds Junior Primary School, and her secondary education at Masaai Girls High School. “I was a very dedicated student. I love to read because I have a great thirst to learn and know different things, and so I did well. I like to be knowledgeable but that’s just me.”

Nancy grew up in Mererani in a friendly neighborhood surrounded by friends and family. She refers fondly to her childhood as being “the best times” and her memories all seem to involve mischief, “I remember climbing trees, riding the tractor with my dad, being a menace! I loved it!”

While she has no children of her own, it is a future dream of hers. But for now, she is satisfied with the home life she has with her younger brother and sister, and with all her successes, Nancy turns to them to keep herself down to earth, “We are always delighted to be in each other’s company and I hope they know that I love them very much, and feed of a lot of that energy from them. It keeps me grounded and reminds me how blessed I am.”

Nancy clearly embodies the Miss Tanzania theme, ‘Beauty with a purpose”. She has overcome the stereotypes associated with beauty queens and has faced a lot of the challenges that come with being a business woman, by believing in herself and constantly having a positive approach to her work and that deserves a title far greater than Miss Tanzania.

Frontline is a full service marketing and public relations firm based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, which specializes in building brand visibility and increasing sales, and was founded by Irene Kiwia. Nancy had worked with Irene on numerous projects before and so it was easy for the pair to join forces, as they knew what the other could offer in the world of PR and Communication.

The company has high hopes for its success. “We intend to keep doing what we do with perfection and see Frontline grow into one of the biggest firms in the East Africa, Africa region and eventually take on the world!”

NANCY’S STYLE FACTS

Tell us a little bit about your style:

Wow, what does one say about ones own style. Its Vintage chic. I love color, I like to dress up and have fun with my clothing when I have the liberty to and I adore shoes and bags.

Do you have Fashion icon?

Yes, I have plenty actually, Diane Von Furstenburg, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

Where do you normally shop? Any Favorite shops/stores

I am really not specific where I shop because they are good finds if you look in all of the right places and one can find a great piece of clothing from the most unassuming of places. But I must admit that I am lucky to be able to travel often and so I shop then

Do you have favorite designers?

Lanvin, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Marchesa

What is your biggest fashion obsession?

Hard to say, but I love dresses. Again it changes with time.

Must haves item in your bag?

Moisturizer, blackberry, phone charger, wallet, three lip balms!