When I set out to build a career in business and technology, modeling was the last thing on my mind. As a woman and an expat navigating the professional world felt like an uphill battle. At times, it still does. Truthfully, I had no idea what I was doing when I started, but then again, who does? If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that uncertainty often leads to the most unexpected and transformative opportunities.
Growing up, modeling was never a consideration for me not even a fleeting thought. In my home country, where traditional values run deep, the idea of stepping into an industry like that felt worlds away. My family, much like the culture I grew up in. I had set up clear expectations for myself: go to college, find a stable job, get married, and settle into a life as a devoted wife and mother. With a height of 5’7” with a body that’s more reflective of the average woman than a runway model, I never saw myself as someone who could belong in that world.
But life has a funny way of surprising us.
Stepping into the Unknown
My journey into entrepreneurship began with a dream of building something meaningful in technology. It pushed me to attend networking events, pitching events, and fundraisers, spaces where I was often the only woman in the room. I put myself out there, handing out business cards, shaking hands, and engaging with professionals and investors. Each event felt like a gauntlet, testing not just my ideas but also my resilience.
I’ll admit it: I’m sensitive. In those early days, I often took things too personally. Businesspeople tested me, and at times, their dismissiveness stung. I remember one particular evening at a Venture Capital pitch event. I stood in a room filled with seasoned investors and hopeful entrepreneurs when an Angel Investor approached me. Instead of asking about my pitch, he smirked and said, “What are you doing here? You should be modeling or acting.”
It hit like a sucker punch. His words weren’t meant to be kind; they were dismissive, condescending. But somewhere beneath the sting, they planted a seed. Maybe he was trying to undermine me, but in a strange twist, his comment made me curious.
The Leap into the Unknown
That night, I went home and created an account on Backstage. What did I have to lose? To my surprise, it wasn’t long before I landed my first two gigs: a music video shoot and a runway show for a Japanese designer. Stepping into these roles felt surreal. There I was, someone who’d never even considered modeling, suddenly walking down a runway and posing under bright lights. I remember thinking, “Is this really me?”
It wasn’t easy for me I’ve always being the nerdy dork girl and I was surrounded by professionals who seemed to know exactly what they were doing while I fumbled through poses and worried about my every move. Modeling gave me something I hadn’t expected: confidence. It taught me to embrace being seen and to find strength in vulnerability.
A New Perspective
Looking back, I’m grateful for those experiences. They weren’t part of the plan, but they added depth to my journey as an entrepreneur and as a woman. Modeling forced me to step outside my comfort zone in a completely different way than business ever had. It helped me see myself through a new lens, one where I could be both a professional and someone who’s unafraid to explore creative expression.
That investor’s comment could have been just another painful memory, but instead, it became a catalyst. It reminded me that even the most unexpected detours can lead to growth. Today, I still carry those lessons with me as I navigate the ever-evolving world of business and technology.
Life, I’ve learned, isn’t about sticking to a rigid script. Sometimes, it’s about letting the unexpected take center stage.