Michelle Sanchez > www.modamodelos.com

Michelle Sanchez, Owner and Operator of Moda Modelos

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?  

First thing I would say is that you have to have the mentality to NOT think like an employee but is so hard because we go to school to be employees. To be an entrepreneur you must have a strong personality to stand out and be different.

What did inspire you to start your business?  

NOT going back to corporate America was the first thing that inspired me when I started my business. Also, what inspired me to start a talent agency in Dallas was the lack of Hispanic representation. I wanted to be the one of the first in Dallas to be an agency that only caters to the Hispanic market.

How did you finance it? 

Since I new that my business needed only a minor start up capitol I funded everything with my credit cards sense I had good credit. Then I did a lot of networking and did trades with many people that were willing to support my start up.

Being Hispanic… Does it have any influence on your business? 

Yes, for my business only caters to the Hispanic market. Also, being a Hispanic women is a major influence on other Latinas trying to start their own business as well.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going? 

There’s no other choice but to keep going on. We don’t live in a fantasy world where we have someone come and rescue us. When im not accomplishing anything then that’s when I know its time for a different strategy not a time to just give up.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced? 

Being a small business the biggest challenges we face is not having a budget for advertising and marketing. In order to grow to reinvent yourself is vital to stay at the top. So we try to be innovative and do our best with what we do have.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Since I am in the modeling industry one thing that I wish I could change would be the industry standards of what a model is. They’re still 5’10, 34B, 26, 36. Girls have to starve themselves to be this way. However, I’m lucky enough that I cater to the Hispanic market and I get to recruit models with real curves!

What was your childhood ambition? 

One childhood ambition was to be a performer. Since I was 15 I danced ballet and pop. I wanted to live in NYC and perform in some Broadway shows. Till this day I try to still keep up with it and I’m even now in the process of recording my first pop song that I even wrote!

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

I only have 2, Oprah and my Mom

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Dinner! I Feel that most people are more productive at a dinner that is not so formal and in a relaxed environment.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success? 

I DON’T have much of a personal life. I don’t get to date much or try to be in a relationship. That’s has been the biggest challenge because I know I can’t be marry to my career forever and end up like Miranda from the Devil Wears Prada. After watching that movie I realized I do not want to end up like her!

What is your favorite quote? 

Don’t really have one but a tag line I have for my business is “Its Not about modeling… Its about Representing”.

Is it difficult to be unconventional? 

No, not for me because I’m secure in me and my work to be unconventional. Its Vital to be unconventional to remain in business.

Biggest mistake made? 

Was to not qualify a business partner I brought in several years ago. He was in it for the wrong reasons. So now I’m a lot wiser as to whom I bring on my team.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why? 

Yes I do, with a marketing background I push myself to always think outside the box. People do appreciate it because they know they wouldn’t be able to pull off what I do.

About the company:

MODA Modelos was established back in May of 2005 and now is a full service Texas License talent agency representing and talent & models catering to fashion/commercial print, promotions, and themed fashion show production.