Leland entrepreneur crowned Miss North Carolina USA, credits perseverance for success

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A Leland entrepreneur is adding a state pageant title to her growing list of accomplishments — but she says the journey to the crown was built on years of hard work, setbacks and perseverance.

At just 27 years old, Brittany Boltinhouse owns FloorMasters and TurfMasters in Leland, businesses she says were shaped by lessons learned through failure.

“I had five failed businesses before I did flooring,” Boltinhouse said. “Those failed businesses allowed me to know what we don’t do and what we do.”

Boltinhouse said she took a major risk when she left college to pursue entrepreneurship. That opportunity eventually led her to FloorMasters, where she says a mentor helped her and her husband get started.

“I decided to take a risk and drop out of college, and it was very scary,” she said. “Long story short, I met somebody who looked at me and my husband and gave us the opportunity.”

Boltinhouse also credits her Latina heritage for helping shape her work ethic and determination.

She says her experiences with challenges like discrimination and prejudice have motivated her to keep pushing forward.

“People know that Hispanics are hardworking,” she said.

That same drive inspired Boltinhouse to take on another challenge — competing in a pageant.

After six months of training, she was crowned Miss North Carolina USA 2026.

“This was super intimidating, but I was willing to take a challenge and the risk,” Boltinhouse said. “I will never be 27 again. Why not me?”

Boltinhouse says her family, friends and community helped support her throughout the journey.

For her, the crown represents more than a title — it represents the possibility of turning risks into opportunities.

“I think that the most rewarding part was that you can really do anything,” she said.

Boltinhouse will represent North Carolina at the Miss USA 2026 competition in Florida on August 27.