Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elise Mears. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Elise, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I was in college at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. It was my first year and I was studying Fashion Merchandising. I was also modeling at the time because I was signed to an agency in Philly. However, I didn’t take modeling seriously because it didn’t work with my school schedule, and school was my priority. Fast forward to the end of year, when they kicked us out of the dorms because Covid was shutting everything down. I finished the last semester online, and with little hope of covid getting better anytime soon, I really just had time to think. We all know what a time that was LOL. Modeling was always in the back of my mind, because I loved it. I had worked a handful of jobs in Philly, so that was nice to get some experience when I could. But, I just began to think ‘what if I did take this seriously?’ Which was crazy to think because I’m from a small town where you go to college, get a job, have kids, etc. My dreams of being a model were not often praised. But, I had to turn my back on all that and just follow my gut. I started researching and talking to other models I knew. One of my connections sent me to their agent at LA models. I ended up signing with them, and that next year I dropped out of college and moved across the country to Los Angeles. It was scary for sure, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I began working with bigger clients, going to events all the time, and meeting so many fellow creatives. That’s when my little hobby started to turn into my now career.

Elise, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

It all started in high school for me. I played basketball my whole life, so sports took up most of my time. But, my junior year I decided to take a photography class. And that’s when I discovered my love for art. As much as I loved taking photos, I found that I was even better on the other side of the camera. My first ever photoshoot was with a local PA photographer named Joe Kelly. He is amazing! I will never forget that day. I was so nervous, but when I stepped in front of that camera, it just felt so natural. And from there I got signed to my first agency in Philadelphia called Reinhard. This industry moves fast, so once I decided to put college on hold I got signed in other markets and started traveling and building my career. I’m most proud of all the little risks I took along this journey and never giving up. This industry is cutthroat and being a young girl in it, you gotta be tough. I’m proud of staying true to myself and always showing up as me. I’ve been blessed to have some of the best agents help me build my brand. This is just the beginning, but I’m confident where it’s headed. I love when my work really reflects me. One of my favorite clients is Converse, because the mood board on set always says something like “let the models just be themselves.” That’s what I love about I what do.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There’s too many! Being a model for 6 years now, I have built up so much resilience. On a daily basis, there’s plenty of little setbacks like not getting a job you were on hold for, an agency not signing you, etc. I’ve had to learn to not take things personally and just be optimistic. I’ll share a specific story from when I was on a model stay in Greece. I was living in a model apartment with 4 girls from all over the world. Not only did I have to adjust to everyone’s living situations, but I also had to adjust to a whole different culture. This experience really built resilience, because there was tough days when I was climbing hills to castings for jobs that I never got, and days I was homesick and didn’t wanna be there. But I had to overcome all those challenges and remind myself why I was there.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

My lifestyle! As a model, I don’t work everyday, therefore I have a lot of free time. I’m that friend that’s at a coffee shop on a random Tuesday. I’m grateful for those freedoms. But with that, I have to hold myself accountable and create a schedule for myself. That is of course when my agents aren’t making it for me! I never know when my next job will be so it takes a lot of drive and optimism. And it requires me to be super flexible, I’m also that friend that if we have plans and then a big job comes up— I have to take the opportunity. I have to be ready to board a plane at all times lol. I think a lot of people don’t understand how last minute it is sometimes, and how go with the flow you have to be. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to not stress about things that are out of my control. I adjust to each situation and it’s all worth it when it’s for something you genuinely love. With that said, I have a great support system and all my people know that’s how I roll.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.directionsusa.com/women/mainboard/1963270/Elise-Mears
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisemears/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elise.mears.7/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-mears-70a31919a
• Other: https://www.lamodels.com/EliseMears

Image Credits

Janelle Ruth Pietrzak
Wolfgang ZAC
Kelly Elvanidi
Joseph Hope