We recently connected with MIDORA SMITH and have shared our conversation below.
MIDORA , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear you experience with and lessons learned from recruiting and team building.
Day one, started as an Idea… taking that first thought and putting pen to paper. Just me and ideas. I then jumped in!! Our JUMP START Platform is just that, Jump In and GO!! I called friends and put together a video / photoshoot, with hand picked, guys and gals, whom are not models. Beginners really and gave them all a chance. Found makeup artist’s and a person who could assist me. My first Photographer, my own brother, who is a darn good photographer Jumped in. Everything was planned on paper and all the clothing , props scheduled with each scene I created. When one selected model didn’t come thru, the team made a call and we filled that spot with her sister, and wow, she brought it!!
Ever since then, Sapphire Chic adapts and adjusts to difficult times. Motto – Bend and Flex, don’t quit! We believe in giving chances to clients who might not be model material at first, and as they grow and build confidence – wowza!
Building a team was the best thing, it allowed me to create content and see, hear each person and their wants and needs. Adjusting to personalities and moods also. If a model is on set and cries, ect, how to get them back on track and show them another way.
Fully self funded, the only thing I would do different? Ask friends to share and talk about how it takes a village, so more advertising.. Otherwise, what I have learned….priceless.
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 background and context?
I am the Creative Director for Sapphire Chic, I have an Interior Design License and a natural ability to create space. I myself have taken many courses on Photography, Lighting, Color theory and other related subjects.
I tie this all back to my creative side and stumbling into the Bellydance world. www.isisandthestardancers.com has taught me performance skills, costume design, acting, working on managing stage fright, speaking and so much more. From my first audition, and now 20 years later, I have seen and experienced so much.
It’s a spiritual growth LIFE CHANGNG niche market and I never gave up. Still learning and growing. I have learned and am hella good at taking the beginner and transforming them They can then become part of the Sapphire family and be featured on our social media and platforms, it’s a win /win!!!
Life is what it is, why not have fun and create at the same time. You never know who might see your profile and want to work with you. We offer creative services in Runway, Posing, Makeup Artistry, Media, Branding and more.
Be open to listening, no one knows it all and take the ego out and being thankful for all lessons, this is just one area of what we teach. and of Course, HAVE FUN!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Yes, Covid. I walked almost daily at a local park. No one was doing any photoshoots or really much. It was a time to reflect and exam life. So much suffering that the goal was to stay mentally and physically healthy.
So, all of us creatives had to regroup and redo our business, Again bend don’t break. Adapt, Adapt, Adapt!!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?
Being unique. Starting a process or business model that’s new. Meeting others who want to step outside a box and take lowcost risks and create.
Creatives don’t shut our brains off, we are always, planning and thinking new ways to provide services. The world is large and vast, look around and see what’s going on and collab!!
Being a creative can be tiring, yet we get over that fast as we plan the next project, sometimes overlapping. Then we circle back and know, slow down and complete that project!!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.jumpstartmodelingplatform.com
- Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/sapphirechicmodeling
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sapphirechicfashions/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sapphirechicmodeling
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sapphirechic1?lang=en
- Other: https://withkoji.com/@Sapphire_Chic_Modeling
Image Credits:
GREGORY SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
TAMMYE NASH PHOTOGRAPHY
1. MODEL CREE KELL
2. MODEL ADITI
3. MODEL MANDI
4. MODEL CHRISTELLE
5. MODEL CECILA
6. MODEL HEATHER
7. HEAVEN THE MODEL
8. MIDORA – CREATIVE DIRECTOR