Today we’d like to introduce you to McCayla RJeane.
Hi McCayla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My walk is really a testimony to the bible verse that states “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11
This walk didn’t start off in 6 inch heels. It actually started off in my regular tennis shoes, dodging the “Do you play basketball?” questions.
I mean, being a 6-foot tall girl, I understand why people wanted to know what I was doing with all this height.
Being a model and entrepreneur wasn’t on the bingo card at first, but they found me at the most random times in my life.
When I wasn’t being told I should play basketball, I was told that modeling could be my thing. From being asked to do my first photoshoot at 16 years old while on the clock at Hungry Howies to randomly being scouted by a local mother agency at Walmart on Alpine. I realized that being tall would actually get me somewhere and this modeling thing could work. I signed a contract at 21 and my professional career began.
I strapped on my heels. With two contracts under my belt in my first year; one in Michigan and one in NYC. I felt successful. I was able to work with a range of clientele, doing a lot of e-commerce for corporate giants like Lincoln and Bissel and other local businesses. My modeling career took a turn when I decided to finish out my contracts and transition to stepping out as an independent model with a business behind her name.
As McCayla RJeane the 6ft queen I stand tall on my mission to be a model and so much more. Hopefully inspiring others to walk confidently on their pathway in whatever shoes they put on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The roughness is what strengthens you. I can think back to my first walking practice and see how rough it was. There were things I needed to work on like my stiff left arm and short stride. But, the beauty of this road is that I’m still finding things I can build on now. If I would’ve quit back then, I’d still be walking around with a stiff left arm, but I also would not being able to see the growth through the consistency and practice.
Building true confidence in my steps has been my biggest challenge.
Being a girl who grew up wearing glasses with not a whole lot of confidence, that was more quiet than outgoing. To now having to take the glasses off and walk runways in NYC and walk in the streets to connect with the community. There were times where my crown had to be picked up and shined.
I quickly realized that the “fake it ‘til you make it” culture had a heavy influence in the industry. It got me through until I really had to reflect on the way that mindset wasn’t fruitful for longevity. I was walking away from these big jobs with doubt in my posing technique, doubt in my walk, etc. This really got to my head my first years in the game because I felt myself falling behind, but also not knowing what to grasp on to. Especially when things really slowed down in my second year. I wasn’t sure how to put myself out there, and I was relying a lot on my agents.
Once I decided not to renew my contracts, I really had to trust in God even though the vision was blurry. I was starting to be ok with it being over for me. My modeling career just being talked about like it was a memory; something that I did for a couple years and moved on.
Thankfully I found myself in the midst of a community of people who have helped me develop into the model I never knew I could be. Shoutout to the GRIND family, and all of the other support I’ve received from connections I’ve been able to build with other creatives, entrepreneurs, and models alike. The development I was seeking was found through consistent walking and posing practices, media training, and having open conversations about to how to build campaigns and promote brands, etc.
It’s important to have others walk with you. I’m not one that believes that the road will ever be smooth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I always say I’m a model and….
I’m a model and an entrepreneur – I’ve been working on building two businesses; MB Mini Bites and Queen Seams. These highlight the part of me that loves to make sweet treats and the part of me that likes to sew.
I’m a model and so much more. I’ve been able to step into the business consulting world as a junior consultant. I’ve also had the opportunity to explore the music industry working closely with the SOUNDZGOOD guys.
I’m also a model with a mission. For the last 2 years I’ve been working on my fundraiser called “Cans for a Cause”. I started off collecting spare change and soda cans from my friends, family, and anyone who would support to be able to afford to go to other cities/states for modeling opportunities. Over the years I’ve gotten so much support from my community that I’ve been able to turn those soda cans into real opportunities, like going to NYFW for 7 seasons!
The “Cans for a Cause” mission is expanding even further into a sustainability cause and an empowerment mission that encourages those to believe they CAN follow their dreams with the help of the community, despite the doubt and lack of finances that may keep us from stepping up and stepping out.
How do you define success?
My definition of success has evolved. When I first started modeling I placed success in a dollar amount and also in the brands I worked with. The more popular the brand the more successful I felt. At one point I was thinking success was landing a contract with Womens360 Management, which was the biggest agency I had met with at the time.
Now, I can see success in the consistency to show up to practice and keep working and building. Also, in the ability to keep going even when the it gets hard.
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