We were lucky to catch up with Sha’Rese Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sha’Rese , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. So, we’d appreciate if you could open up about your growth story and the nitty, gritty details that went into scaling up.

Thank you for your interest in my business and for asking about my journey on how I “scaled up”. It has certainly been a challenging but rewarding experience, and I am happy to share my story with you.

When I first started in the fashion industry, I quickly realized that I did not fit the typical model mold. I was not super tall, and I did not have the traditional body type that was often seen on runways or in fashion campaigns. This was a significant obstacle for me, but I refused to let it hold me back.

Instead, I focused on creating my own path in the industry, building my brand around my own unique look and personality. I started small, with local modeling gigs and small collaborations, mostly of my own – creating DIY shoots in my living room using what I had on hand and gradually began to gain traction. I leveraged social media to connect with my audience, sharing my journey/processes and of course me message with the world.

As my following grew, I realized that I needed to scale up on my collaborations and works. Mostly by doing what makes sense for me and my brand. This was a challenging process, as I am operating outside the typical “look” that is in higher3 demand. Simply putting myself out there even if I felt as though I didn’t qualify. I had to be creative in my approach, finding ways to work with brands and agencies that were willing to take a chance on me.

I focused on building relationships with like-minded individuals and brands who shared my vision and values. I collaborated with photographers, designers, and other creatives to build my portfolio and expand my reach. I also invested heavily in my online presence, photography tools, creating a website and social media channels that showcased my unique style and message.

One of the most significant obstacles I faced along the way was skepticism from others in the industry. I was often told that things would be a lot more challenging, or I was met with a lot of rejection However, I refused to let this discourage me, and I kept pushing forward with the vision.

Looking back, I realize that some of my tactics and strategies may not have been conventional, but they worked for me. I remained true to myself and my brand, and I built my success on my own unique qualities and strengths. I learned to be resilient and adaptable, and to never give up on my dreams.

Today, I am proud of what I’ve achieved, and I continue to grow and evolve as a brand. I have proven that you don’t need to fit the traditional model mold to be successful in the fashion industry. By staying true to myself and the vision, I have created a unique and successful brand that inspires others to embrace their own uniqueness. I am very honored to have served as an inspiration to so many young women. Even the strong creatives I have met on this journey have served as such a great inspiration.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story with you. I hope that it inspires others to embrace their own uniqueness and build their success on their strengths and values.

Sha’Rese , 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?

Well, let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Sha’Rese Davis, I am 28 years old, and I am located in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

I started modeling in 2017 but at that time it was really just for fun. It wasn’t until the pandemic happened that I started taking it more seriously as a creative. Even before then, the drive and passion was there, but working full time at a job that kept me tied up in an office all day made it very difficult. So – I guess the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for me (I ended up getting laid of). I had so much time to focus on what truly made me happy and I honestly wasted no time on that. I ended up doing it all by myself, photography, creative directing, editing, and set design,

What sets me apart from everyone else is the fact that I do it all and I’ve done it all. I don’t need anyone to tell me to do one thing or try another. I just go for it. “Dangerously optimistic” is what my friends refer to me as, but that’s just how I operate. I have learned to generate a motivational mindset that has gotten me so far.

I’m proud of all of my work. Every project I’ve done just gets better and better. I know the ins and outs of creating a masterpiece. I know the beauty of utilizing your network. Being kind and genuine to others. Acknowledging that you honestly cannot do it all on your own! Over time I have built a beautiful team of people who are beyond supportive. I wouldn’t change that for the world. I hope to continue to grow and make an impact.

I hope to become the woman I’ve always wanted to be.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Being authentic!!!

People don’t want fake influencers or just people they absolutely cannot relate to. At first I definitely held back from what I would share. But, I’m naturally very comfortable with sharing my journey.

I use to get so confused watching influencers and celebrities share moments and experiences that I really couldn’t relate to. That’s just selling a dream. Being who you are is the key. None of the phony fake stuff just be you 100%.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One thing I can say is I have been met with tons of rejection. I’ve been left on read; I’ve been told straight up that they’d prefer a smaller model… I remember the last time I basically begged in a photographer’s DM’s just for a chance!!!

That was the last straw for me.

I didn’t allow that to rattle me and for that I am proud. I kept going. I told myself if no one was going to give me an opportunity then I will give it to myself. I must say I did that. Every week I was working on a new concept and before I knew it my email and DM’s were going crazy!!

I had one brand ask me what photographer I used for my photos, and I told them I shot them myself on my iPhone!
You are the only person who can cancel you out, don’t let someone else do it for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: instagram.com/summermichelleee
• Instagram: @summermichelleee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharesedavis7194/
• Other: Tik tok: Resemichelle

Image Credits
Photographers: Taylor Crawford (@pimpsoda), Aaron Carter (@goodlookatim), Sha’Rese Davis (@summermichelleee), and Tobi O. (@heytobs)