We recently connected with Fahteema Ervin and have shared our conversation below.

Fahteema, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I’m genuinely happy being a creative and an artist. It feels like such a gift to have built a life around something I love, especially in a world where so many people never get the chance to do that. Modeling and working in such a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry has given me experiences and opportunities that I never would have had otherwise, like travel, connection, expression, and a deeper understanding of myself. But I’d be lying if I said I never question it. Sometimes I wonder if I should be doing something more practical, something that leaves a clearer mark. I think about impact a lot.
whether I’m really making a difference or just skating by doing something that looks exciting on the outside but might feel a little hollow at times. I don’t miss 9-to-5 jobs. I’ve had them, and for me, they feel like a slow erosion of my spirit. That doesn’t keep me from thinking “Is this enough?”.
Just the other night, I sat in my car thinking, “Maybe I should go back to school… maybe learn something like U.S. history or sociology”. Just something that grounds me in the bigger picture.
I think about the future often, like what happens if I don’t make it very far in modeling? Or if I make it far but never leave a real impact on the people or the industry? At the heart of it, I think I just want to know that whatever path I take, it adds meaning not just to my life, but to the lives I meet along the way.

Fahteema, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Fahteema Ervin, but most people just call me Teema. I’m a creative, a model, a mentor, and apparently now depending on the day, a therapist, tech support, strategist, and motivational speaker (kidding…kind of). I run the Agency Automation and co-run Model Society program. These are two passion-fueled projects born out of years of personal experience, trial and error, and honestly, just me refusing to gatekeep what I had to learn the hard way.

I got into modeling because something about it always felt familiar. Even before I understood the industry, I was drawn to the emotion and storytelling behind it. Not just the photos, but the power of presence and language of confidence . At first, it was just me, figuring things out. I didn’t have any connections. No one held my hand. There were no “easy paths” or viral shortcuts, just me googling things at 2 a.m., showing up to castings, and learning to trust my instincts when something didn’t feel right. Over time, I realized I wasn’t the only one struggling to break in without burning out. And I didn’t want to keep climbing alone. So I started building bridges, setting foundations, and clearing paths.

Through my work, I now help aspiring models, creatives, and multi-passionate individuals understand how to actually navigate this industry. From getting signed to protecting themselves from scams, to building a brand that reflects who they are, not just what they look like. Agency Automation is a step-by-step coaching experience that walks people through submitting to agencies the right way (not just sending a random email and hoping for a miracle). It also includes personalized agency lists, interview prep, contract knowledge, and the mindset support that’s honestly half the battle. Model Society, on the other hand, is a broader movement. It’s about community, education, and elevating the standard. I help host workshops, events, and one-on-one training sessions designed to help people not just survive in this space, but thrive in it. On their own terms of course.

What makes me different? For one, I’m not a coach who left the industry and decided to teach from the sidelines. I’m still in it. I know what it feels like to go to a casting, feel imposter syndrome creeping in, and still have to walk in like I own the room. I also don’t believe in selling people a dream. I teach reality, and how to make that reality work for you. I bring heart, transparency, and a whole lot of structure to an industry that’s usually chaotic and vague. I care deeply. Probably too deeply sometimes, but I’d rather be too invested than too detached.

What I’m most proud of? That’s easy! My people. Watching someone go from “I don’t know if I’m good enough” to landing their first campaign or agency contract is everything. I’m proud of being a safe space. I’m proud that I built something that didn’t exist when I started out. I’m proud that I didn’t let burnout, fear, or perfectionism keep me small. And I’m proud that even on the days when I question everything (which, let’s be honest, still happen), I choose to keep showing up for this work.

What do I want people to know? That I’m not here to turn you into a cookie-cutter version of a model. I’m here to help you figure out what success looks like for you. Whether it’s walking in Fashion Week, becoming a signed commercial model, building a strong social presence, or just learning to trust yourself more, I’ll meet you where you’re at. My work is rooted in the belief that creativity is sacred, and modeling is not just about beauty. It’s about intention, presence, and purpose. If you’re ready to take yourself seriously (without taking yourself too seriously), we’ll probably get along just fine.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

What people who live outside the creative lane often don’t understand about my journey is the day-to-day tightrope walk between security and self-actualization. How every “yes” to art is, by default, a “maybe” to stability.
In practical terms, it means turning down the steady paycheck, the predictable career ladder, and sometimes even health insurance so I can chase a vision that exists only in my head.
It means accepting late nights, lopsided income cycles, and the polite confusion of relatives who keep asking when I’m going to get a “real” job, all while trusting that the intangible currency of creative fulfillment will someday translate into something I can actually live on.
Beyond the money, the bigger picture is emotional. I’m constantly betting my self-worth on work that’s deeply personal, then releasing it into an audience that might applaud or scroll right on past!
From the outside that can look reckless, but from the inside it feels more like food for the soul.
So in my opinion, risking stability isn’t about disliking safety; it’s about recognizing that a steady, uninspired life would be a different kind of instability altogether, like a slow death of my purpose and passion.
The creative path is messy and occasionally terrifying, but for those of us on it, that chaos isn’t a detour from life. It is life!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

If I could change how society supports creatives, I’d start with the basics: fair pay, accessible healthcare, and actual infrastructure. Artists shouldn’t have to barter their work for “exposure” or juggle three jobs just to survive. Grants, micro-loans, and business education tailored for creatives. Many of us are learning the industry as we go. Affordable healthcare, especially mental health resources for freelancers and gig workers would take a huge weight off our shoulders.
More public maker-spaces, community studios, and low-cost event spaces would also make a world of difference. We know that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity often doesn’t.
On a deeper level, we need a cultural shift. Society needs to stop treating art as something extra curricular and start recognizing it as essential. That means putting respect on creative labor, showing up for local shows, and making room for underrepresented voices in every corner of the industry.
We need mentorship, inclusive algorithms, and casting standards that reflect real people not just what’s trending. I believe creativity fuels everything from tech to fashion to mental wellness, and when we build systems that value and protect it, everyone benefits not just the artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fahteemaervin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fahteema.ervin

Image Credits

Studio7onethree