Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stoney Monroe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Stoney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers
It has always been my dream to be in the beauty world to have some type of beauty business. I started my online beauty supply in 2019 and I knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I still do but during that transition i grew a love for modeling. I’ve always been told I should be a model but I never took it serious until I got my first paid opportunity in 2020. I fell in love with the way I could showcase myself and be creative and paint a picture for the world to see. I had no idea this was going to be an avenue that I was going to continue to pursue, so much so that I have taken a step back from my beauty business to focus more on modeling.
Stoney, 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?
My beauty business worked for me because it gave me the confidence I needed in my self the confidence people saw in me but I never knew I had. From there I started modeling in 2020. I did some promotional pictures for a book company who was just releasing a new book and I ended up getting paid a couple of hundred dollars for those pictures. From there I knew i had what it takes. I’ve taken modeling classes, etiquette training, as well as being asked by several photographers to shoot more than once. I have been published in 2 modeling magazines. My work ethic is immaculate due to the love i have for my craft and the new found love i have for myself. I Model under the Name Stoney Banks/ Stoney Monroe because she is my alter ego. She allows me to shine right through that Camera and on that stage.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Mini know that I have an eye condition that limits me in a lot of ways. I have a stigmatism which doesn’t allow me to see very far and does allow for me to wear glasses on a daily basis. A lot of the times it is hard for my ass to focus and I have had photographers and people who don’t really know how to deal with it so they come off uninterested or not taking me serious. It’s very hard in the modeling world but I don’t give up I keep going and I keep making strides I keep winning. It also helps me learn myself better it helps me move better it helps me polls better it helps me become a better person. Are use that embarrassment and that pain to perfect my craft and when I work with photographers who don’t mind and they’re able to work with me and they see my personality we create some beautiful work it’s something that’s so amazing and that’s what makes me keep going I will never give up just because my eyes hinder me from normal things, i am normal.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I built my social media presence by honestly just being myself. I thought that I needed to be this popular beautiful stereo typical social media influencer in order to be seen liked or understood. That is not true I just needed to be myself and not worry about how many followers I need it to be important .I am goofy I am honest I am real I am fun, i’m relatable and I think that’s what attracts a lot of people to me they see through the screen that I’m a very genuine person. With that comes a lot of positive people comes a lot of support comes a lot of opportunities to work with photographers and brand deals. I met my modeling team on social media Porscha Shannon who is the CEO and founder of LDP productions. I am gaining long-term model friends who are killing the modeling game in Minnesota right now. Social media presence of everything and I am so glad that I have my social media family supporting me while I support back and perfect my craft.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Stoneymonroee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffany.simmons.14606?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: Iamstoneybanks
Image Credits
Image credit to Tora White and Jean p Bour