Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Arceneaux.
Claire, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up in a small town in Southwest Louisiana they did not have many opportunities for modeling. When I was 15 my mom helped me get into modeling by signing me up for the MB Expo in Dallas. I competed and won Overall Female Model of the year. At the age of 20, I moved to Los Angeles where I signed with three agencies throughout the city. Modeling was always part-time for me while I was full time in school and working as a VIP Bottle Host in Hollywoods hottest nightclubs.
In January of 2016, I suffered from a severe concussion that changed my life drastically. I was no longer able to work, workout, read, drive and I was very ill. I decided to get certified to teach yoga as part of my healing. After all of your normal activities are taken from you, the first thing you want to do is get them back.
I moved to Pennsylvania in November of 2016 and started teaching privates, semi-privates and corporate yoga. I was able to start working again and signed with two agencies in the Northeast area.
In June of 2019, I moved to Dallas and signed with The Campbell Agency. I guess whoever said that you can’t keep modeling in your 30’s was wrong because I still am! 🙂 Today, I juggle between modeling and professional organizing. I’ve always enjoyed making my friends and family purge and re-organize their life and now I do it as a job and it’s a lot of fun for me. I still enjoy practicing yoga and teach it to my friends, family and bridal parties of friends.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road but I don’t mind it at all. My biggest struggle was my concussion and the healing that came along with it. This is something that I still deal with today and continue to learn more about everyday.
It can be challenging at times working in the entertainment industry. It is not your typical job that may have a salary which equals to a financial security blanket. You may struggle at times while others are doing just fine. You could book 10 jobs one month and none for the next two. You have to learn to save, budget and may need other flexible jobs for your side hustle to pay the bills. IT IS WORTH IT! I love what I do and that feeling of being on set and creating something is worth all the times of struggle.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My modeling and talent jobs are booked through The Campbell Agency in Dallas and I still work with my agencies in the Northeast and in Los Angeles when needed. I am grateful to have worked with such talented directors and fashion designers throughout my career. My life path has really been something that I consider amazing and beautiful. I’ve done everything from runway, print, lingerie and swim to commercial acting, body doubling and hand modeling. When I was 17 I used to travel with my agency in Louisiana coaching runway. When I lived in Los Angeles I did a lot of body doubling which turns out is a pretty cool gig.
As for professional organizing, I specialize in closets. It is so much fun to reorganize, clear out and make your space more functional for everyday life. I always did this on the side for fun and I am now currently working with Neat Method in Dallas.
Is this all I do? No. I also do buying and selling of clothes and shoes, personal shopping and yoga videos. I live with the travel bug in my body so it is always exciting to be able to do these things while traveling at the same time.
I think my personality sets me apart from others because I am outgoing, love to make others laugh and have a great time at whatever we are doing.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes! As a new resident, I have already learned that Dallas is a growing city that has many opportunities for all types of jobs.
If you want to teach yoga here, there are studios throughout the city that offer certifications. Once you’re certified, you can audition to teach at these studios and grow your business. POST POST POST! Social media is huge for getting your business off the ground. Observe what other successful yogis are doing and learn from them. You can even start your own YouTube channel and post instructional videos there for your followers.
If modeling is what you’re looking to do, get polaroids. These are photos you can take with your cell phone. Hair back, no makeup and a plain background. You can submit them to local agencies and get feedback. Most modeling and talent agencies also offer open calls. Check out their websites under submissions for information on the dates and times.
If professional organizing is catching your eye, practice first. Offer to do a friend or family member’s closet, kitchen, garage or whatever room needs attention. This will help you to realize if you want anything to do with this profession. Once you’ve done a few homes, use your before and after pictures for posts and reach out to local organizing companies to help you find more work. You never know, it could be your next business!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://clairearceneaux.wixsite.com/book
- Email: clairemeleonyoga@gmail.com
- Instagram: clairemeleon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clairemeleon/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUeYqJVbG7OE6M94RA9BnAQ
Image Credit:
PERSONAL PHOTO OF ME and photo in long sleeve white top IS BY: Jose Luis
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