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

Alright, Grace thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

If I were to start over or go back to the beginning of my career I would have definitely started my modeling career earlier. I got signed with Heyman Talent when I was 21 years old as a model. I feel if I had started earlier I would have definitely been further than I am today. I would have also got more training making me a better model. Although I have accomplished a lot within a year, such as walking for New York Fashion week, walking for local fashion shows, done multiple trade for print, and even been internationally published in multiple magazines, i feel myself that I might be behind. But also the beauty in that is maybe I started my career at the perfect time. Overall, if I had to go back to the beginning I would have done more research, training, and networked myself in the fashion community more.

Grace, 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?

Hi I’m Grace Harwell! I’m currently 22 years old. I started modeling and got signed with Heyman Talent Agency in 2022. I got into the industry by honestly a good amount of friends and family telling me I should get into modeling. I have always had the thought in my mind, but due to many things I never decided to go through with modeling until 2022. Now it’s a passion of mine and definitely something I love to do and want to make a successful career out of. I’m very proud of how far I’ve come since I started modeling, I walked in New York Fashion week for Amare Dynasty which was a huge personal milestone for my career. I’ve also been internationally published, in many other fashion shows and photographed with many photographers. My next goals in my modeling career include walking in Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion week and expanding my work in other states. I am also going to continue to work local and in the states as well as get into various types of modeling. Most of my work can be found on my Instagram, @grace.eliz8 and by searching my name on my agency’s website.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I honestly feel like I don’t have a huge audience on social media at this point in time, but I am growing it. Something I found works in my industry is definitely networking at events and collaborating with others. As you meet others with similar interests you share your work and your socials. My advice would definitely be network as much as you can and have a strong look to your social media with your best photoshoots, milestones, digitals, etc.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think something that’s helped build my reputation as a model is just like I said before networking and continuing to work on my modeling. I have looked at my flaws and what I need to work on as a model and continue to do so. I also give the best effort that I can when I work as a model and do my best to do any roles I might be assigned to even if I haven’t had much experience in it, I have confidence and do it to the best of my ability.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heymantalent.com/talent/includes/talent_display/master.cfm?t=vh04i2232piqut
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/grace.eliz8?utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Ayana Jackson, Riley Chaney, Adair, Ilya Savenok, Jamie Lynn