EP 33 | From Baby Book to Global Recognition: Maggie Miller and the Audacious Rise of the Stevie Awards

In this insightful episode of That's Audacious, host Lauren Clemett welcomes Maggie Miller, the dynamic President of the World's Premier Business Awards - The Stevie Awards. Maggie shares her unique journey, from a 10-year-old momentarily concerned about a new sibling to leading a global organisation that celebrates business excellence across nine distinct award programs. The Stevie Awards, founded by Maggie's father, Michael Gallagher, emerged from a simple yet powerful question: "Why aren't there more awards for people like me?" This question, born from his own experiences in the marketing world, ignited a vision to recognise the hard work, creativity, and impact of professionals worldwide. The name "Stevie," a nod to Maggie's grandfather Stephen and the Greek word for "crowned," encapsulates the awards' mission to honour and elevate outstanding achievements. Lauren and Maggie delve into the core values that have propelled the Stevie Awards to global prominence. Integrity, transparency, and a commitment to providing valuable feedback to entrants are hallmarks of the program. Unlike many awards, the Stevies offer judges' comments to all participants, enabling improvement and encouraging future success. This supportive approach extends to offering entrants who didn't win a chance to enter another Stevie program at no additional cost. Key Insights from Maggie Miller: A Personal Origin: The Stevie Awards' inception story, embedded in a desire to recognise everyday excellence, adds a human touch to a global brand. Feedback as a Gift: The Stevies' commitment to providing judges' comments and free leveraging resources sets them apart, offering valuable insights for growth and improvement. Celebrating Impact: The awards prioritise real-world impact, recognising achievements that benefit employees, customers, and stakeholders. Global Reach, Personal Touch: Despite their international scale, the Stevies maintain a personal touch, ensuring a fair and supportive experience for all entrants no matter how big or small the company is. Leveraging Recognition: Winners receive comprehensive resources, including press releases and opportunities to be featured in Stevie Awards marketing materials. The Power of Connection: The Stevie Awards for Women in Business ceremony promotes invaluable networking and connections, leading to friendships and even new business ventures. Overcoming Barriers: Maggie encourages women to recognise the value of their accomplishments and to overcome the common hesitation to seek recognition. Maggie also shares her experience working in a family business, highlighting the rewarding journey of witnessing the Stevie Awards' growth from a small operation to a global force. She emphasises the importance of remaining unbiased as president, focusing on ensuring a fair and transparent process for all participants. The conversation touches on the challenges and adaptations of the awards industry, including navigating the impact of COVID-19 and the rise of AI. Maggie highlights the Stevies' commitment to human judgment, banning AI in the judging process to ensure authentic evaluation. For those considering entering the Stevie Awards, Maggie advises reflecting on the specific achievements they wish to highlight and exploring the diverse categories available. She encourages potential entrants to view winning nominations from previous years for inspiration and to see the value of their own contributions. As the episode concludes, Maggie alerts us about a brand-new Stevie Awards website, promising an even more user-friendly experience for participants worldwide. Connect with the Stevie Awards: Ready to celebrate your achievements and gain global recognition?  Explore the Stevie Awards and discover the perfect platform to showcase your success. You'll find all the necessary links below this episode. Don't let your hard work go unnoticed. Embrace the opportunity to be crowned a Stevie winner and amplify your impact on the world stage! https://stevieawards.com/ Check Out The Audacious Agency Stevie Awards For Women In Business Package: https://theaudaciousagency.com/stevie-women-in-business-awards/