Modeling I learned as a child, I was in pageants, then our parents sent us to Barbizon model/charm school, in 7th grade. As far as, a plus-size model I learned from the greatest Tess Holliday. When I saw her in Eloquii ads and in Glamour magazine, I knew right then I knew I wanted to be a plus-size model & influencer …then I learned from my bestie @kaylaloganblog how to be an influencer. Knowing what I know now, I would have joined Instagram sooner, when it was less saturated! Skills that are essential are learning to pose naturally & confidently. Loving to be on camera and in public places too! Knowing how to speak confidently and politically correct. Showing off whatcha got lol…curves and all. I would say starting out is the most difficult obstacle to learn, having the right equipment, clothes, accessories, also, access to the correct people to contact brands and getting people to share their contacts and industry knowledge!! Most big brands are hard to work with sometimes, stating you need x amount of followers to work with us…some brands are amazing and will give you a chance…I was lucky to meet my bestie who shared it all, the good side and bad side too!! All of it!

I’m Indigenous, 43 year old, Plus Size Micro Lifestyle Infleuncer, who models plus-size fashion on Instagram. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic design, although, I was in the mortgage business for 10 years and a Uber driver for 5 years. Seeing Tess Holliday draped in Eloquii did it for me! I was like I’m so inspired!! Immediately, I wanted to do plus-size modeling. I was like I can do this for sure, she looks like me and my body. I have experience, so I joined a photog page group on Facebook and booked my first shoot, which was boudoir at the photographer house. I even brought my hubby! I started my Instagram to get more of a following as a model. I did some shoots around town and applied to be an ambassador for a boudoir company w/ Anna Johnson at Boudoir Ego, whose now a dear friend of mine. She even gave us the opportunity and we were on a billboard in San Diego along a major freeway, my dream come true with her and some gals made magic for a #justbe campaign!! I then met my other bestie thru Anna and she Kayla Logan taught me the ins and outs of being an Influencer. I was like her apprentice!! Now I thank her for everything I know!! Now as an influencer, I work with companies and promote plus-size fashion, swimwear and lingerie. My personality sets me apart!! I’m usually smiley and outgoing!! I’m life of the party!! I’ll talk to or make friends with anybody…I got that trait from my mom! I’m most proud of my work ethic putting my all into it and the skills ive learned over the years to good use and being creative, sassy and fantastic with customer service, when working with brands. I get to use them all within this creative space.

My journey of resilience is my chronic pain! Most I people don’t know I suffer from degenerative disk disease Spondylosis and osteoarthritis. I still push thru all the pain I’m in. It’s hard each day is a challenge with anxiety & bipolar disorder as well. Most days are spent wondering how will I get it all done, physically and mentally, then the pain although managed by medication is still very painful, unmanageable some days and unbearable. It’s hard because mentally you want to do so much but physically I am limited.

I think non creatives will struggle to understand my position as a plus-size, model/ Influencer, it’s hard enough to be a model and get signed, but Influncing is hard as well, trying to get companies to work with you, standing out in a crowd, will they even work with you as plus size person? Do they even offer plus size. Are you the right type of plus size portpotionately? They won’t understand the struggles of being a fat creator in this industry and how clothes aren’t as accessible as they should be for larger bodies. Carrying in store plus size for us to try on would be a game changer. Lastly, not understanding the self love while being fat and truly loving yourself exactly the way you and are who you are within this body positivity space!! It’s an everyday job working on self worth, especially when society telling you the opposite. All bodies are valid and lovable is the message!!! Fat is not a bad word, so ready or not here I come!!!