Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine McGuiness.
Christine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It’s funny how the steps we take in life sometimes have us thinking it’s all leading in a particularly planned out direction, then suddenly those steps turn you down unexpected avenues and lead you to places you never imaged you’d go. One year ago, owning my own business wasn’t even a thought on my radar. The thoughts going through my mind were focused on asking myself who was I impacting day to day, what was I creating, and how was a living a purposeful life. I was coming up short of satisfactory on my answers. I knew I needed a change, and I tried by making small, comfortable, and convenient changes. Something was still missing. I felt it in my heart first, a bigger, bolder, and much less comfortable change was needed that would shift the entire direction of my life. Once I decided to accept the challenge of such a big change, without knowing what exactly it would be yet, everything else unfolded step by step leading me to the opportunity to open my own location of Bella Modeling School. Instantly, I knew it was the right thing. Becoming an entrepreneur would satisfy my need to create, build, and impact. I knew the Bella Modeling School program already because I have previously been a student there myself. The impact it had on my modeling career and the impact I watched it have on the confidence of so many young women and men was something I wanted to expand and reach more people with. I had felt for a while that my purpose in life would somehow be related to the transformation I went through from at one point feeling not good enough to becoming a confident, self-loving woman who believes she can accomplish anything. When my confidence and my belief in myself changed, my life changed in the most positive way. Owning the newest location of Bella Modeling School is allowing me the opportunity to reach other people and help build up their confidence and self-belief and lead a transformation in their lives that I hope has a similar impact.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far has been the change of mindset from the comfortable, perceived stable environment of a corporate job to the wide open field of entrepreneurship that is filled with unknowns, what ifs, and instability. Opening a business always comes with risk – typically a high dose of it. Taking the jump to dive into entrepreneurship comes with many unknowns – and it is just that, a jump because you can’t tip toe into a new business. You need to be all in. However, it is also a thrill! I am sure about the impact my business is having on its students and the industry. I am also sure about my passion for my business. These two things make the unsure about entrepreneurship not so challenging to work through.
Of course, there have been other bumps along the road. But, if the road was smooth and without its challenges, I would know I was on the wrong one. I believe in the importance to come across bumps in the road to learn, adapt, and grow. And if I’m not coming across those challenges I would question why I’m not aiming higher or taking bigger risks. As a personal trainer once said to me “get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” This can apply to many areas of life. If we’re completely comfortable in every area then we most likely are no longer growing. I’d like to keep growing as a person and business owner as long as I can.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bella Modeling School story. Tell us more about the business.
Bella Modeling School is known as the best model training in the DFW area. We specialize in transforming beginner models into agency ready in only 5 months through our elite training program covering print modeling, on camera speaking, runway modeling, commercial acting, and industry knowledge. Five key elements set us apart: the wide scope of training and information we provide our students, quality portfolios built in house, expert instructors, intentionally small class sizes to allow for individual attention, and a focus on building real world confidence. The confidence building is what I’m the most proud of. The company’s founder, Estela Trevizo, started it off as a confidence building program for girls and young women. Instilling confidence, teaching self-acceptance, and embracing one’s unique self has remained the underlying focus to the program, and we’ve since expanded it to all ages and genders. My own journey in learning self-acceptance and confidence has been so life changing that I feel personally compelled to help others embrace themselves so they may experience their own transformation into confident people who know they can truly achieve anything they set their mind to.
Bella Modeling School also strives to set a higher bar for the modeling training industry. We don’t believe in false promises or cutting corners. We believe in providing students with all the knowledge and tools they need to enter a career in modeling after completing the program. We are not an agency, and instead introduce our graduates to the top reputable Dallas agents face to face during our graduation ceremony. Our goal is for all of our students to be successful in their own way and have a wonderful experience on their journey into the world of modeling.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
What’s exciting about the modeling industry is the shift it is in right now. There is an overall change happening globally to be more accepting and inclusive to all types of people. Unfortunately, there are some bad stereotypes about models’ bodies but those are declining due to new faces breaking the mold of the “traditional” model body type. Governments have even began stepping in to ensure models are of healthy weight and not starving themselves. Multiple countries including Australia have enacted laws that require models to have a minimum percent of body fat – helping to drive this change of acceptance and promote healthy lifestyles. This change in the industry has been growing momentum, and I believe this is going to continue over the years to come. Additionally, most people don’t even realize there are well over 25 types of modeling that focus on different looks and types of people. We teach about these in our program to help educate students on all the possible opportunities they may be a fit for.
Pricing:
- Personalized one on one consultations are completely free!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2035 Central Circle #110, McKinney, TX 75069
- Website: www.bellamodelingschool.com
- Email: Christine@bellamodelingschool.com
- Instagram: @Bellamodelingschool
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellaModelingSchool/
Image Credit:
Photo of me: Jason Pena
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