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

Nikisha, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe persistence and grind alongside with patience creates success. A lot of entrepreneurs always have the perception that being successful in your path is easy when in reality it’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears. One thing I can take back with all these years of grind, is sit back and take the little wins; those little wins will add up to the ultimate goal. It takes a lot of years of open mindedness and consistency to be successful. I personally did a lot of trade shoots or shows and every opportunity to put myself out there before DMR Productions asked me to be their model coordinator and lead. Sometimes being uncomfortable with the path is okay.

Nikisha, 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?

I am a model coordinator and instructor as well as a model. I started off with joining the right Facebook groups in my area that would gain me the experience. Once I got seasoned with runway and fashion photography/posing with different productions and taking ModelCon courses which was known as Model Society, I took an internship opportunity with DMR Productions. That internship has allowed me to now teach and guide new comer models how to present themselves properly and professionally. I love being able to give back in my community with my knowledge. One day I do want to be able to teach special needs individuals who are interested in the fashion industry see their horizons as well!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely. At the core of my creative journey is a mission to inspire authenticity, resilience, and representation—both on and off the runway.
As a model and entrepreneur, I’m not just walking for fashion—I’m walking to create space for others who may not fit traditional standards or industry molds. I know how it feels to be overlooked or labeled “not the right fit.” That’s why I’m passionate about breaking barriers, uplifting underrepresented voices, and showing that there is no single definition of beauty, success, or creativity.
Another big part of my mission is empowerment through mindset. Whether it’s teaching others how to handle rejection with grace, or encouraging fellow creatives to stay the course, I want to be a source of light in an industry that can often feel dim.
Ultimately, my goal is to leave a legacy—not just of work, but of impact. I want people to remember not just what I did, but how I made them feel: seen, valued, and capable of owning their lane unapologetically.

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 rejection.
Early in my career, every missed audition or single outfit on a runway felt like failure. I internalized every “no” as a reflection of my worth, not just as a model, but as a person. It took time—and a shift in mindset—to realize that rejection isn’t personal. It’s redirection.
That shift began when I started studying the journeys of entrepreneurs and icons like Steve Harvey and Naomi Campbell. They’re now household names, but their paths were paved with countless setbacks and closed doors. What separated them was persistence and perspective. They didn’t allow rejection to define them—they used it to refine their craft.
It hit me: just because one designer or production doesn’t choose you doesn’t mean you’re not enough. It simply means you’re not what they’re looking for right now. But someone else will see your value—and sometimes, that opportunity is even bigger than the one you thought you lost.
Working with DMR Productions, co-founder of Sacramento Fashion Week, was one of those defining moments for me. That collaboration helped me reframe how I approached the industry. I stopped looking at “no” as failure and started treating it as feedback. Every experience became a stepping stone toward becoming a more refined model and entrepreneur.
I’ve learned that the industry isn’t about fitting into every room—it’s about finding the rooms that are built for you. And once I embraced that, everything started to align.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nikishamitran

Image Credits

1: Herm Pugay @groovaddict
2: Kate @red_irbis
3: Kim Mendoza @embrasse_boudoir
4: M. Caesar @th3rd_eye_vision
5: Ranjith @photos.ranjith
6: Christopher Pollard @studio7onethree
7: Carla Beatriz @carlabeatrizphotography
8: Josh Redsun @joshredsunphoto