Today we’d like to introduce you to Korisha Curtis.
Korisha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a plus-size model based out of Atlanta, GA. I started this journey a little over two years ago by FINALLY getting the courage to go to a casting. I was so scared, so nervous, I had a HUGE blemish on my face, BUT I MADE IT! It was my first casting, first time walking, first run at anything in the Modeling scene. This expo was no small expo, it was one of the LARGEST in the nation for the Plus industry, and little old inexperienced me Just Made IT. TCFStyle Expo was the name of the event, created by The Curvy Fashionista (Marie Leggette). After walking the runway and getting tons of encouragement from model peers, fans, and family, I then learned that being a Real Model was TONS of Work. I then started investing in myself by linking with well-established photographers, attending Model Workshops (Devorah Story), taking walking classes (Nickee Mack) and attending more casting calls. Being a model has inspired me to be more of myself and not feel shameful about it. I have now walked in multiple states and have been propositioned for runways Globally. This is just the simple beginning of KcTaylor. I plan to be known Worldwide within the coming years!
Sweet Treats came about a little under two years ago. My Fiance Taylor has always been an entrepreneur, as well as myself, and a money-saving guru. I began to learn about chocolate-covered strawberries, how to clean, preserve, dip them, etc… and Valentines 2017, we decided to put what we had learned into work. We made over $1000 quickly by selling chocolate-covered strawberries and Taylor decided to try and take this skill to the next level. Less than 2 miles from our home a place went out of business, and a building in the perfect location, at the perfect time became available. She went a leased it, took a month to set up, and BOOM November 2017 Sweet Treats was born. We are currently growing and expanding daily. Proud to say we are still open for business and still grinding it out.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The model journey is a very tough one. Being pretty is not enough. It is a WHOLE character challenge. Doing runway shows, investing in my craft is VERY IMPORTANT. It can be costly, it can mean FREE labor, it ABSOLUTELY means Long Days, but it is all Rewarding. The most important thing to remember in life that anything worth Keeping will Never be Easy. If you want to model, you have to LEARN HOW first. I have been told I’m pretty my whole life, but that means NOTHING when filled in a room of 100 “pretty” women. My advice is to LEARN, LEARN, LEARN. Social media has been one of the most convenient tools in life. You have the chance to follow and learn those who you wish to be like, take advantage of that. Surround yourself with friends/family that will encourage your dream. Don’t let 1 no, even 100 NOs deter your drive. If you dream it, you can achieve it. You just have to believe it.
Sweet Treats- Nothing about this journey has been easy. Thankful that we are a pair that does it together, it takes a little stress off of the other. Starting a storefront requires Hours on top of Hours of sacrificed time and work FOR NOTHING. You DO NOT get rich when starting a business. As a matter of fact, we could spend five years saving to start a business, so once you start, you may be spending five more years simply paying yourself back. It is a struggle, you have to be willing to accept help, and you have to be able to work with others.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a plus-size runway/print model. I have almost perfected my walk (I would like to think) so I will say that I specialize in Runway Modeling. I am proud of how much I have grown in the industry. I used to have to try my best to make it to all casting calls. Now I get booked through emails and DMs because my skill has already been proven on many occasions. I do like to give back to the community youth by organizing different youth events to celebrate the accomplishments of our young ones. I also tie this in with Sweet Treats. Having the storefront allows us to organize activities to give back to the youth throughout the summer and school years. We specialize in gourmet, made from scratch cupcakes and chocolate-covered strawberries. We offer a large variety of sweets and we also cater. Our prices are the cheapest you will find and we pride ourselves on our customer service. Being a small business, ALL BUSINESS matters and is appreciated.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Absolutely. I have been wearing heels MY WHOLE LIFE. I sometimes chuckle to myself because I have ALWAYS known I liked money and dressing up. I’m not sure how being a Model NEVER crossed my mind, but here I am. I have a childhood friend who is now my stylists who I used to admire her shoe collection every day. Little did I know, she would be the one to push me into the lane of modeling. Life is amazing. Signs have probably been there since I was a baby! My mom always encouraged us to do what makes us happy and stable in life. I remember growing up telling us how pretty we were. How beautiful our skin, hair, nails, everything was. It meant SO MUCH being a biracial girl growing up in the ’90s where we didn’t quite fit in with anyone.
Contact Info:
- Address: Sweet Treats 416 Grassdale Rd Suite D Cartersville, GA 30121
- Website: www.sweettreatsga.com kctaylor.myportfolio.com
- Phone: 470-315-5233
- Email: firstglancebooking@gmail.com
- Instagram: kctyalor17 sweettreatsga
- Facebook: Korisha Curtis Sweets Grassdale Sweet Treats
Image Credit:
Jose Pagan, XL Shoots (Kirklan Hawes), MsNickeeTheBrand (Nickee Mack), First Glance Photography
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