We were lucky to catch up with Jill Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jill, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I began my modeling journey during COVID pandemic at almost the age of 50. I had no social media presence or following and was completely unknown in the industry. I got creative and ended up putting together my social media. accounts, placing in the finals of two well-known magazine cover contests and was named “America’s Hottest Grandma” by iHeart Radio the Spring and Summer of 2020. As I became more known in the industry I would be asked to do a job but when I didn’t “fit” what someone was looking for I connected them with models who did. I researched social media in my spare time and connected professionals in the fashion industry. In the summer of 2022 I decided to do a model/photographer event on celebrity property to create something fun and lucrative. I created an Instagram connection and event page called Creative Model Connections (CMC) and it was a HUGE success. There were some twists and turns, ups and downs but made its way to 2 more events in 2023, as well as a huge connection to bring professionals together for paid work in the fashion industry. Currently CMC has morphed into a larger business, with trademarks, business licensures , bookings, events, huge influencers, fashion designers, photographers, companies, brands, models, and consulting with social media expertise and management. CMC will soon reopen and announce all the services and new endeavors very soon. The last thing I would like to add is that a very small kind deed can go a long way in life. I still sit back and remember that Creative Model Connections came alive due to selflessness and teamwork, inner and outer beauty and the right people in the right places and that vision will never be lost.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I got married very young, before the age of 20 and had my children. I got divorced after 8 years and was forced to go to college and get my degrees to raise the girls. I formed a cleaning company and worked in the service industry to support them. After graduating I opened a daycare and worked out of my home and then continued working in the restaurant industry doing management, sales and marketing. I ended an abusive and toxic relationship with a narcissist and decided as I healed never to repeat that same kind of pattern ever again. I dove into modeling as a way to be whole and provide for myself what I used to require from others. All my journey brought me to who I am today through something I always wanted to do, modeling and helping others succeed.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

As a source for new clientele, I use instagram as well as unique marketing techniques to draw attention to my business and the individuals I work with. First I am a media based business and most of my business is seen on Instagram and Facebook, so naturally professionals in the fashion industry reach out to CMC via direct message to work with someone who they have seen in my network. In addition, I do several events during the year on celebrity property with a variety of diverse, popular, and elite Influencers from all over the United States as well as incredible fashion brands who want to advertise their lines with the influencers. Photographers register and create content by taking images and videos for their professional portfolios and social media accounts. This form of marketing and reaching new clientele is not only bringing in revenue for the business, it is fun, well-run, professional and the perfect way for the individuals in the industry to network and expand their connections for future endeavors. Another way I source new clients is, if I have interest in working with or connecting with a specific professional, designer, influencer, photographer, etc., I have an internal network of individuals who can put me in contact with him/her. Finally, most of my clients and network consist of referrals from other professionals in the fashion industry who I have personally worked with or have helped. Because I believe in organized, professional, profitable and team related work practices, I lose very few clients from dissatisfaction and have many clients wanting to succeed with the help of Creative Model Connections.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jill.im50andfab and @creativemodelconnections

Image Credits
Main headshot photographer credit Jim Dedmon MUAH credit Ivette Santos Rolling Stones photographer credit Vincent Williams. Sweater photographer credit Charlie Baker Corset image with designer Champagne Corsets in NYC. Photo credit Kevin Albinder Image with pink shirt and Shaylene Pase taken by Linda Morse Image in blue Korinnart Flying dress Photo Credit Karl Dueland and MUAH credit Ivette Santos