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

Leslie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents did right by raising me exactly the way that they did. They brought me up with a patient but firm hand, pushed me to be independent, kind, confident, loving, and so much more. With the way that they raised me, each and every piece of that puzzle fits me to complete all aspects in my life. Whether it’s at my full time job as a Private Behavioral Therapist, having to instill proper behaviors while understanding a child’s needs: given their circumstances. Becoming a Plus-size/Curve model in an industry that pushes standards that differs from me and other people entirely. Moving out on my own at 20 and finding my way out of the pits of financial irresponsibility. Even socializing with friends and family, having different networks and positively growing those relationships. I can’t even imagine what I would be like without them both. They are two different forces of nature that happened to join together and made my sister and I. I am so grateful to still have them actively a part of my life while I keep working hard to make a name for myself. Whether I am 5 or 25 they still use their same practices and I listen carefully to everything they say.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

How I got into behavior therapy was so random. I had quit my job during the Covid shutdown and had to look for something quick so I applied to be an ABA therapist (Applied Behavior Analyst) at the age of 19, where I honestly knew nothing. I was in school as a History and Political Science major at the time. My intention was honestly to become a lawyer, but all of that went through the window when I started working there; this was my first time working with children on the spectrum. As I kept training and working, my colleagues and lead BCBA’s kept telling me I have a gift for working with kids and their behaviors. As time went on I found a new agency to work for and had even more challenging cases with more challenging behaviors. I loved the experience. I kept proving to myself that I can do “hard” things. I later moved on to another agency, where I really solidified myself as a Behavior Therapist. I switched my major to Psychology with a concentration in Autism and a minor in History. I became a highly requested and respected therapist as I kept working under a BCBA. Fast forward to present day, I became a private behavioral and educational therapist. I assist children with developmental disabilities and behavioral tendencies through their academics while modeling appropriate behaviors. I’m hoping to expand my clientele and start consulting parents on how to treat certain behaviors, as well as understanding the reasoning behind it. I assist with food therapy and the anxiety behind it as well, and I’m hoping to apply that to whoever needs the assistance in the future. Currently, I’m also in pursuit of acquiring my SLPA license which should help with communicative disorders in all children.

Now as a model, I got into modeling by actually attending a fashion show and I got scouted on the spot by a casting agent. I received a contract a few hours later and became a signed model. Me wanting to be a model was on the back burner for a while until it became a reality and is now becoming my all honestly. Since I have been signed for a year and a half, I have had some bookings that I am forever grateful for giving me the opportunity. My career in modeling goes hand in hand with the pursuit to my career in styling. I was given the opportunity by Negris Lebrum and the Caribbean Fashion Collective to assist on a show for the Negris Lebrum Fall/Winter Collection in 2024. I have been posting my fashion content passively on both Instagram and Tiktok for a little over a year now. My New Year’s resolution was to take myself and my content more seriously, by doing so I have been taking sewing classes as well as photography classes to apply that to my future career that I have been manifesting as a full time stylist and model.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn a million times that life is not linear. The goals that you set for, that 5 year plan, graduation date, none of that is linear, none of that is going to go exactly the way you planned it. My plan was to go to college, finish in 4 years, go to law school and become a family lawyer. That obviously did not happen, I graduated in 4.5 years with a degree in Psychology. Then I thought I would graduate and immediately after would get a masters in Applied Behavior, that didn’t happen, but I persisted and continued to work hard. I then got into a masters program for educational psychology. I thought I would finish it in a year then get a job in that field. That also did not happen. Reality finally set in for me when I realized that none of these things that were “supposed” to be the right pathway for myself were making me happy and instead was regressing my creativity and drive.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The current job that I have was a major leap from what I was doing. I was constantly underestimating my education and value, so I stayed a little dependent on a boss or someone with more experience. However with that, I also struggled with a lot of growth within myself and that agency. One day I was graced with the opportunity to go private, a parent loved my work, my ethics, and the way their children responded to me. They were willing to be my first clients if I just continued providing them with the services that I had, now with more freedom to do so. I was stuck, I had a great job with some odd hours and minimal benefits, but at the time it was enough. Deep down I knew I didn’t want to stay complacent, I also knew it was going to be a risk, taking this new profession after years of the certainty of a 9-5. I took the job and I have been providing private services for the past 2 years. It has been an absolute blessing to do what I am doing now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emgmodels.com/new-york-curve/leslie-pimentel
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/curlypepe
• Other: fashion page: www. instagram.com/lesssliescloset
  tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lesssliescloset?_t=ZT-8uqWBTDolfa&_r=1