We recently connected with Marqel Wills and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marqel, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I started watching a lot of YouTube videos about what kind of modeling there is, getting more recognition across different platforms, and how to build a community. I did my research so I could fully understand what I was getting into and starting to build my personal brand. Also started using my pointless scroll time to watch other creators and models to see what they were doing and why it was working.

When I first started I was a little introverted, so instead of asking more experienced models/creators questions. I would do the research myself because I thought “why ask, when I can find the answer out on my own.” But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that it’s okay to ask for help. People might be able to break down something you don’t understand better than a website can give you that information.

Confidence is the most powerful tool you can have in this field. You have to really love yourself and embrace those insecurities. Everyone has them, so embracing them and being confident changes the way others view you. Along with confidence, you have to master being yourself at all times. Not everyone is going to like you, and once you can accept that you can continue to bless others around you with your positive energy.

Minor distractions that can be changed if you work on yourself and practice self discipline. If you limit the amount of distractions and replace them with better habits, you can conquer the mind. Stopping the “i’ll do it tomorrow” thought, and doing it as soon as possible.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Welcome to the ice box!

My name is Marqel Wills (JustChillKell.) I’m a 23 year old model/creator/influencer based in Kansas City, Mo. With about 2 years of experience in the industry. My career goals are to continue pushing the boundaries of fashion and beauty, while inspiring others to embrace their individuality. As a model/creator, I bring a unique combination of energy, creativity, and professionalism.

I got into the industry by casting for ‘Kansas City Fashion’s’ show for my first job and from there, I loved the atmosphere and energy I received. At that moment I felt that I was made for this. Since then I have won the 2024 Kansas City People’s Choice Awards “Best Male Model,”walked in 3 major fashion shows including ‘Kansas City Fashion Week’ and ‘Omaha Fashion Week,’ and have been published by magazines such as ‘GMARO,’ ‘Fienfh,’ and ‘GEZNO.’ My versatility and adaptability have allowed me to excel in a range of settings, from editorial spreads to commercial campaigns.

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

I started by posting all of my photoshoots on instagram. I just wanted people who already followed me to see the shift, trust the process and believe in me. Once I became more confident in posting myself, I transitioned to the growth of my account. So I started by posting instagram reels and showing more of my personality. At this point I knew what I wanted for my account, so I moved on to building more genuine connections with my followers. I would ask questions on my story to see what kind of content they wanted to see, and also showed love to their accounts. A lot of people forget that it’s still social media at the end of the day, so you need to be social and use the app how it was meant to be used. Once you have your account exactly how you want it, you’ll just fill in the rest so that the people can explore you. I like to think of it as your digital magazine.

To anyone wanting to start, just start! All the numbers will come eventually and you can’t force it. Just post your content, and do it with the intention that nobody will see it. The more content you have, the more you will be able to customize your account to your liking. And the best part is, you posting what you like will naturally bring the people who are supposed to see it. Most importantly, do it because you want to. This is a job for some people, so be genuine and you will see the growth.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Some people might not understand why I decided to pursue this path, and that’s okay. I realized early that this is my life and I get to choose how it goes. So for me to be able to get access to what I see for myself, I will manifest it and you will see that energy. God has blessed me this entire journey but he made me work for it. Everything I’ve done proves, that you can fly if you believe it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marqelwills.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/justchillkell
• Youtube: https://Www.YouTube.com/@justchillkell
• Other: https://kcpcawards.com/2024-winners/