Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Coleman-Ball.
Hi Natasha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
As a model whose journey began nearly 15 years ago, I spent years chasing my passion in the beauty industry. I obtained my professional training from John Robert Powers and traveled across the world auditioning for runway shows and attending castings for TV, pilots, and commercials. However, the industry quickly changed my perspective on my career. I was not blessed with a staggering 5’9 height, or the European thin figure, that the industry loves so much, and I quickly realized that there was so much pressure on models to fit into a certain standard to make it “big”.
Once I received my bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management in 2020, a few years later in January of 2022, I founded my modeling agency CB Modeling Associates. An organization with a purpose to promote diversity and inclusion in the modeling industry. Our goal is to combat body dysmorphia, embrace body positivity, and spread awareness for mental health. The models in our company represent individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as ages ranging from 16 to 70, curvy models, petite models, and any individual who feels like they don’t have a platform, we represent them.
The business aids models in their personal branding, train and mentor them for the industry, and sets them up in a place to be booked and busy. We don’t believe that beauty is one-dimensional, so the industry should be a representation of that. Through our community, we can alter the industry for the betterment of all models. In every post we mention our hashtag and our slogan, #statementsnotstandards, and “Aspire, To Inspire Before You Expire”, to remind ourselves of the reason why we exist. To be a catalyst for change. To motivate others, to combat the standards placed upon us, and to make statements along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business is scary! As a business major, we were taught that most small businesses fail within 5 years. There is always a fear of investing your resources in this, just for it to be unsuccessful. There are times when finances are exhausted, and you’re back is against the wall.
That is where it is important to realize why you started the business in the first place. You will have to personally invest in yourself and your business if you want to see it grow, and have patience. Otherwise, your fears will become a reality.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself a content creator, model, brand manager, and business owner, specializing in diverse beauty. I travel the world attending fashion weeks, in Milan, Paris, Miami, L.A., New York, and London, just to name a few.
Working as a model as well as networking and recruiting for my agency. I am a creative director and have over 40 magazine publications, many have been featured on billboards across the U.S. New York, L.A., and Las Vegas are a few of my favorite cities I have been blessed to showcase my work, especially Times Square.
But my proudest moment was just recently when I produced my very first fashion show through my company CB Modeling Associates, called the “Statements” Fashion Show. I believe my passion for assisting others, sets me apart. For me, it’s never about the money. I don’t do it for financial gain, I do it for my legacy.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
Starting a business with no finances, no office, or staff, was a huge risk for me. I never have been the type to go for things without a plan.
All I had was a vision, a phone, and a laptop. I told myself, that if I didn’t do this now, I would never do it. So I did, and I have an amazing business friend group and family that support me. That family and support keep growing and growing, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/cbmodelingassociates
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbmodelingbyncb/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077604698744&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://kavyar.com/8ofv7ne1bbzo
Image Credits
Jasmine Forbes @jazzshotit
