Photography And Art Direction: Ji Yeo
Interview: Isis Nicole

IN MAG gets down to business with three independent modeling agencies.

Briauna Mariah with the Dagne Dover Weston Laptop Bag

Can you introduce yourself: Name / hometown / age / interests growing up

I’m Briauna Norman, many know me as Briauna Mariah (Mariah is my middle name). I was born in Alaska, I’m from Washington State, and I’m 27. Growing up, I loved dolphins and swimming and you could always find me working on the next fantasy adventure novel.

What motivates you today?

The We Speak models are my biggest motivation, they’re always the ones who drive me forward and help keep me going. They deserve the best.

When do you feel like you set your sights too high (or too low), running your agency?

Running We Speak is a roller coaster. I don’t believe in setting your sights too high, that’s impossible. If I can’t do something alone, that doesn’t mean it can’t be accomplished. We Speak is growing a lot so my biggest focus is shifting the weight from myself and employing more help. The way I’ve done things is always to benefit the model first, so it’s taken quite a lot of personal energy to get here. We Speak doesn’t take a cut from models’ rates, so We Speak has to work twice as hard as a traditional agency.

How have you seen your vision bring to bear change in the world?

I’ve seen We Speak impact people’s lives, far and wide. Models as well as people We Speak doesn’t represent are inspired by the agency’s mission. They’re inspired by the models and their stories. That’s what I had set out to do. To make a difference. People can feel empowered and feel beautiful and represented.

What’s one thing you would have appreciated knowing sooner rather than later before starting your agency?

Nothing. I grew alongside We Speak (and continue to do so). I started out with essentially zero industry connections. I wouldn’t change that journey for the world. I wouldn’t have been ready. Each time We Speak hit a really awesome milestone or connected with a great client, I was ready for it. Now, I’m ready for just about anything.

How do you remain positive, transparent and up-to-trend in a fast paced industry with an evolving generation of consumers?

One foot in front of the other. I’m a generally positive and transparent person, and that’s definitely reflected in everything I do with We Speak. If I’m ever too stressed or taking a situation too personally, I tend to take a step back, go into nature or go for a swim, and take my mind off things. I always come back to everything with a clear head and can tackle obstacles head on. This is how I approach the evolving industry as well. I feel We Speak is ahead of the curve and I continue to implement ideas that are one or two steps ahead. Later this year I’ll be releasing one of those ideas and I’m really excited to see that take off.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned about yourself this year?

I can and will manage multiple projects at once. In my spare time, I’ve started back up with writing a novel I’ve been working on since I was a teen. I have a renewed confidence in finishing it within the next year or two.

Who’s your role model or guiding example in your life?

My mom has always been my biggest role model. I admire her a lot and she’s my best friend. No one understands me like she does.

Where do you see We Speak five years from now?

I see We Speak continuing to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. I want to help lead the way for a bigger conversation around representation in fashion and combating tokenism.

If you had three wishes to be granted in 2020 what would you ask for?

A listing for We Speak on models.com; crack down on climate change; and finding the green thumb I know must be buried somewhere deep within me.

Model Yasmin Almokhamad with the Dagne Dover Ryan Laptop Bag

@lordeinc

Can you introduce yourself: Name / hometown / age / interests growing up
Nafisa, Vancouver, BC, 30, bubble team, sticker pictures, designing my Asian Avenue page.

What motivates you today?
Trying to tell stories, which is basically what creative/art making is, telling the stories of myself or my people (whatever aspect of myself that means).

When do you feel like you set your sights too high (or too low), running your agency?
Too high, when you take in that an agency is really just a business running on sales, and it you aren't business orientated person, that can be a challenge. Maybe too low whenever I catch myself with imposter syndrome and feelings that I can't do something, when I actually can, and need to focus on how to get things done and not doubt myself because you waste so much time doing that.

Model Mohammed Fayaz with the Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack

How have you seen your vision bring to bear change in the world?

I mean, I started an agency that only represents models of color and a time when a conversation around identity in fashion wasn't happening. We had a big role in making these conversations more mainstream.

What’s one thing you would have appreciated knowing sooner rather than later before starting your agency?

How to run a business actually.

How do you remain positive, transparent and up-to-trend in a fast paced industry with an evolving generation of consumers?

Just be authentic with yourself, there's no use in following trends cause they change so quickly, but follow your own voice and vision.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned about yourself this year?

It may take me a long time to achieve goals but I always get it done.

Who’s your role model or guiding example in your life?

I think it's very cliche to say your parents, but truthfully, mine is my dad. He isn't perfect by any means but he immigrated at a time when he had so little and left everything to make a life for himself and his future, and think that's the most important value to carry with me. He's always wanted me to do work that is meaningful and I try to make that a priority.

Where do you see [agency title] five years from now?

I don't know, hopefully absorbed into a big company. Running a small business is a lot of work and not something I want for myself forever.

If you had three wishes to be granted in 2020 what would you ask for?

I'd ask for climate reform; hard, tangible changes made to policy that reforms the way we produce goods and impact the environment. Whether that means reducing the production of farmed meat/coal mining/deforestation, that could look like many things, but I'd like to see more of these policies in 2020.

Nafisa with the Dagne Dover Weston Laptop Bag

@minniemgmt

Can you introduce yourself: Name / hometown / age / interests growing up

My name is Eliza; I grew up in Monmouth County, NJ, and have been involved in production (via theater) since I was 10 years old.

What motivates you today?

As Minnie MGMT continues to grow, begins new partnerships, and produces new projects, it is motivating to meet other people with the shared vision to bring their unique perspective to fashion and media.

How have you seen your vision bring to bear change in the world?

I’m not sure if we have reached world-wide influence quite yet, but I like to think we have left an impact on the artists we have worked with so far, by providing a positive, fun, and supportive experience. I hope that kind of thing has a ripple effect!

When do you feel like you set your sights too high (or too low), running your agency?

It has been more challenging than expected to create visibility for our small operation, in an industry with many established / large agencies, On the flip side, the process of developing Minnie MGMT has revealed more possibilities for our future than I originally imagined.

What’s one thing you would have appreciated knowing sooner rather than later before starting your agency?

How crucial consistent social media engagement is, and how many business connections happen via Instagram DMs. Social media is my Achilles heel!

How do you remain positive, transparent and up-to-trend in a fast paced industry with an evolving generation of consumers?

Positivity comes from productive and genuine collaborations, transparency comes from honesty and respect in working relationships, and authenticity is always on-trend.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned about yourself this year?

Everything I need to know, I learned working in theater.

Who’s your role model or guiding example in your life?

Before launching Minnie MGMT, I interned with Alex Tsebelis at No Agency New York, where I got my feet wet in the fashion industry. Alex + No Agency provided a great example of how you can foster success and collaboration, through empowering artists and their unique talents.

Where do you see Minnie MGMT five years from now?

As a full-service production agency, and a go-to producing partner for unconventional visuals and experiences.

If you had three wishes to be granted in 2020 what would you ask for?

ONE: Creative Direction by Minnie MGMT in print.

TWO: A client project with a dream budget.

THREE: A red MINI Cooper (the new Minnie MGMT company car)

Agents of Change - In Conversation with We Speak, Lorde INC, and Minnie MGMT