We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Roanen Campbell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Roanen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

While I always knew I was meant to do something special or at least bigger than the norm, i just didn’t know what. I constantly was told I should model or asked if I was one already. At first I never could see it. Then it grew on me, I reached out to photographers on models.com, agents and models on Instagram to really figure out the next steps and just never looked back. I was constantly inspired, and it wasn’t hard for me to excel because everything I did and what I did it for was authentic. I’ve always loved dressing nice since I was a young pup so putting fits together was nothing , and after I learned my face as far as picture taking goes it was a wrap. It became second nature and living in La my hustle was just different then having the opportunity to work with the brands and people I looked up to as a kid I can’t even see an end I want to be the best.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a model I myself spent the last 2 years of my life literally perfecting my craft and learning every single day. Once I moved out of my parents house there was no looking back. From posing and walking vids on YouTube to reading and watching other peoples stories, to honestly just jumping in the water and straight into Hollywood. I remember I was so desperate to win and get my foot in the door I literally drove down Hollywood Blvd and insisted I was going to find someone just walking down the street that was going to change my life and just put me in a commercial or something. I walked miles on end, took thousands of pictures and just got my reps in, but not once did It feel like a job. I attended multiple events and parties and maneuvered many personalities in Hollywood. Trust me it isn’t for the weak but I wouldn’t trade that grind for anything in the world.

During so I needed something to keep me a float because as I was just starting it was super inconsistent. So I started a personal training business where I trained clients daily both in person and online.. Killing two birds with one stone staying fit because really that’s one of your main responsibilities as a model, as well as motivating and helping others to achieve their goals in their fitness endeavors. It has been very fulfilling honestly giving people this energy and belief that not only can they achieve whatever goals they set forth in the gym but in life.. anything is possible.

I am now still constantly and consistently pursuing my dreams to become one of the greatest African American Models in the World, helping everyone I can along the way. An industry like this will eat you up and spit you out if you’re not prepared for it. I’ve been grinding, been more than inspired and honestly just eager to win not even for me but everyone around me so they can see if they haven’t already that anything is possible if the reasoning is there and you want it bad enough!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

TAKE PICTURES !!! Or really in this day and age videos are king as well. Literally eat, sleep, and breathe content. Any inspiration you get throughout your day figure out how to make it yours and turn it in to something valuable for your brand. Socials changed the game you can literally be whoever you want if you develop your brand correctly and strongly.. Avoid participating in things that don’t serve you and definitely avoid posting them. Work with like minded creatives and talented photographers, a lot of times they will be open to collaboration exchange if the approach and concepts are on point. Understand you can literally get in contact with anyone just with a few clicks.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Literally developing the mindset that I can do anything. I come from Foster care, working warehouse jobs, sleeping in cars to on the cover of magazines and working with some of the best clothing brands in the world. I wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything . But I know even if I decided to give it all up tomorrow and be an astronaut I probably could.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Roanenknows
• Twitter: Roanenknows
• Youtube: Roanenknows

Image Credits
@desintoniopacheco, @dripwill , Corey Myers