Meet Natasha, 25, to find out more about her life as a model and as the owner and director of a business called Model Me. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
Natasha:
Hello I'm Natasha. I'm 25 years old. I'm a model and I'm the owner and director of a business called Model Me.
My life is very spontaneous and that is the nature of being a model and also growing a business from the ground up. I go from a casting, to a meeting, to video calling a conference call. I'm in love with the way that my life runs now and I wouldn't change it for the world.
I absolutely loved school when I was growing up. I loved being in such a social environment. I always did a lot of extra after school stuff as much as I could, but reading was the thing I probably did the most. I'm so grateful I had such a passion for reading when I was young because now as I'm older, I can really see how it benefits me when I'm trying to think outside the box with all different parts of my career.
After my A-levels, I decided to go to Nottingham Trent University and I studied Fashion Communication and Promotion. My biggest struggles at university were probably my organisation of my time, understanding when I can have fun, but also that I should study hard in my own time too.
After university, I was scouted as a model by a photographer on Oxford Street. I was then signed with a modelling agency in London and booked for shoots all over the world.
I went to Milan, but I received some negative feedback and I felt very unsupported so I wanted to create something that all models feel like they could go to and be supported. And my dream is to change the culture of how models are treated.
Model Me right now exists through two avenues – I have a podcast that I have available and I also create physical events that I've done in America and the UK.
Natasha's colleague:
So I really enjoy working with Natasha as a model and in Model Me because she's someone that's really really charismatic. She brings a lot to the team. She makes you feel very comfortable. She's a very determined person and when she wants something, she always has the drive to go and get it.
Natasha:
I love being part of the modelling industry and I'm really excited to see what the future holds for me.
My dream is to change the culture of how models are treated.
- Natasha always dreamt of attending university and graduated with a degree in Fashion Communication and Promotion
- Using her experience as a model, she is building her business – a community-driven platform called Model Me
- The aim of her business is to educate and empower models and creatives, through her events and podcast.
Natasha is both a model and a director of her own business. You can find more information about how to become a model on the National Careers Service website.
What to expect if you want to be a business owner
The salary and working hours when you own a business can vary enormously but what's most important is that you work hard and love what you do.
Working for yourself looks different for each person and each business, but in general it means you:
- run your own business and are responsible for its success
- can decide how, when and where you do your work
- charge an agreed, fixed price for your work
- sell goods or services to make a profit
- can hire people at your own expense to help you or to do the work for you.
You can be both employed and self-employed at the same time. You can work for your employer during the day, for example, and run your own business in the evenings and at weekends. It’s important to contact HMRC for advice if you’re not sure if you’re self-employed.
You can get help with setting up or developing your business, through the government’s business support services, for example, for advice about tax or about how to find funding to start your business.
This information is a guide (source: GOV.UK).
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
Work experience in your area
Find work experience placements with Workfinder.
Tips and advice
Help with interviews, writing a CV and all things work experience related.
Rose: cosmetics creator. video
Rose makes cruelty-free cosmetics from home.
Sam: car valeting business owner. video
Sam turned his university project into a successful business.
Ben: digital marketing agency founder. video
Ben runs his own influencer and digital marketing company.
