We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Raina Menne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Raina , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I feel as if we all have our own approach and way of being in any industry we choose but for me personally I definitely think my way of existing within a field that is so demanding of your spirit & time, and physical appearance is much different. I’m a writer, a muse, and a healer. None of these things have traditional takes but most importantly each call on a different me to be present. My different approach to these three realms are simple, it’s allowing what comes to come all while still actively searching each moment for ways I may be able to show up within a hose fields. For example there’s be many times where I had to turn down bookings bc my spirit wasn’t compelled, that little voice within just didn’t speak toward whatever it may be.. and that’s what I mean by different. Instead of allowing my flesh and ego to drive me to work work work work I spend most time searching my spirit and allowing the most high to ordain my steps and show me my blessings and lessons within the things I do. This still takes personal awareness and efforts, I still have to seek and find but I do it in ways that aren’t what the industry or social media would want for me, more so what I need for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Raina Faith! I’m from New Orleans, LA. I’m 22 years old, 23 in august. I’m a Leo! I model, act, creative direct, write, and heal. Modeling was my gateway into everything that has followed / evolved the last couple of years. I started off just taking pictures for local brand in NOLA because everyone saw a look that I didn’t quite in full know I had. It turned into me realizing how naturally good I was at it and how I possibly may have found something to be “good” at and honestly I just wanted a way to create content so that I can build a platform big enough to generate money in a way that isn’t so stressful, and fight or flight like. I wanted to make life better for me and my mom, and grandma. After a year in I realized it went from something that was an outlet to something I loved bc I started to grow through modeling. I found confidence I never knew I DIDN’T have. That’s the thing about fashion, you go into it thinking yeah I’m cool I’m cute I’m the most attractive blasé blasé until you realize confidence comes from your core not your looks. The last year of consistent work for me was before the pandemic, I was on a high. Having all that taken away so quickly by forces so much bigger than just us a people, bigger than the industry, or the government. Natural selection chose more than just people to infect it also slowed down the worlds of so many to finally see what was in front of them. I grew in my love for modeling in the pandemic, I actually missed it so much I realized I loved it. That caused my confidence to grow bc I had to have the confidence within myself to have faith that the higher power will still bless me even if I can’t see it yet. That same love has carried over into my love for writing, directing, and healing. I love people. All of these things for me are for me but more so for the people. I want to heal through my words and tell stories through my photos or future projects of direction. I want people to find themselves in everything I say and do bc every time I grow weary I’m picked back up by the love that exits within all of us that keeps our realities tied in one big knot. And if I had to say myself I think that’s what sets me apart, the drive I have for others. The drive others give me. But not selfishly I simply create from a place of expression of all thru one. I’m most proud of the way I’ve carried myself through it all. Nothing about chasing your dreams with be easy, but it’ll be worth it. There’s been so many times I’ve lost sight of my worth while trying to pursue these careers bc of the amounts of no’s, or no replies, or canceled projects. It all takes a toll on how worthy you feel to be within that particular field but I’m learning it’s the same fuel that drives to stay in. We need no’s. And I’m thankful and proud that my no’s didn’t break me. I want everyone looking to work with me, or just read me, and be inspired by me to know that everything is within you. When you feel lonely or not seen, look within you. There may be parts of you, you are neglecting in hopes others will notice it. You are your biggest fan and I hope my journey to self love inspires others to find their way to a place that knows no bounds, the home you even within.

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

This question for me kind of ties into another question you guys had in the line up, which is something I had to unlearn and why. I think a big part of any career is getting to a point where you realize you aren’t there because of you. You may navigate your life by your decisions but someone else is illustrating as you go. My story of pivot is current. I’m currently in a time where I’ve had to completely release my creativity and my artistry to be driven by God rather than ego. There’s blessings you’ll only be able to get when your walking the walk spirit wants you to. So I’m saying all this to say sometimes the pivots that will come want move you forward or backward but they keep you still long enough to test your faith. If everything came easy to me I don’t think I’d want it all as bad. My head would be too big to see that it’s God and not me. Imagine a life where once you start you never stop? You shoot right up in o be a star but you never learn what goes into maintaining that stars brightness? You are your own factory product, you come from a place of great abundance in spirit and those spirits don’t come with manuals you can read on paper they are within. Sometimes stopping and slowing down before you get to that destination of plenty within your career helps you maintain your success longer. Sitting in solitude all while submitting to things and nothing happening, trying to move forward within passion products and getting sat back down each time can be the most trying time of anyones life but what I’m learning is this time will act as my foundation. Sometimes everything we wanted is just a baby version to what we actually are meant to receive but we have to let go to reap the benefits.

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?

The biggest misconception within being a creative from those that don’t take the leap within freelance or just working and receiving from a place of artistry is that we live a life free of struggle, or we’re not strategic or practical because we chose to believe in things that aren’t proven to be fact until it’s done. Which I can understand because a big part of being a creative is in fact doing what makes no sense at times. For instance during the pandemic I drove 16 hours to New York with my bestfriend to shoot and explore. Very spontaneous and random with little no resources in New York at the time. It was a very rough month for me and the day of our shoot I cried for hours all while trying to understand what and why I was going through what I was at that particular time. This scenario showed me myself how sometimes things don’t make sense, and most of the time things will fall through to teach you a lesson. I thought it’d be easy but it wasn’t, and that pulled something out of me that most who think practically wouldn’t get. Life is all about optimism and trying new things which is what being a creative is. It’s like living life fully through the creation of creation you’ve been gifted with. We trust that first mind more rather than the voice of doubt that comes after. The world would be a better place if more people took the time to look through our lenses.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rainmenne?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rainmenne/status/1502079409343320070?s=20&t=cT24VjNt4BKykwIuT4sxeA

Image Credits
Laiken Joy Andre snapped (Andre Hubbard) Kim Ha Macy Bryant Delaney George