Today we’d like to introduce you to Beverly Brock
Hi Beverly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
This was a long time ago, but it set me on the road I’m on now. Also, I believe what set me on the journey to become an agent, (unbeknownst to me at the time) is when my Mom would take my brother and sisters to see a film at the theatre and once it finished, I felt I needed to sit and wait for all the credits. Of course, my siblings weren’t too happy with me, but they stood and waited. I knew I needed to know but of course had no idea that would lead me where I am today.
I was also in three Rock Bands, one English Rock Band, Fast Eddie Pepper (they only let me operate lights and sound, but I did it). Second one was a Country Rock Band, and I was the lead vocalist, and we traveled the eastern part of NC. Then I found a band looking for a lead vocalist after the Country Rock Band disbanded because our Steel Guitarist and his wife were sent to Africa on a Science mission as they were Scientists. The third band I joined and eventually took it over, bought all new sound equipment, paid for a photographer to shoot us at the Raleigh Rock Quarry, negotiated the contracts, got us paid and enjoyed that success immensely! It was called Seventh Sun.
I also competed in the Miss Apex Pageant when I was an older teen. I sang for my talent but being a bit of a rebel, I sang barefoot! Needless to say, I didn’t win but I was second runner up. It was a great experience.
Then I modeled when I moved to Hickory, NC and modeled for several big stores and was in the newspapers, tabloids, etc. Booked these on my own along with current photographer James Labrenz and negotiated the contracts. Got the photos from the shoots (tears is what they were called) and got some of the clothes and got paid. That’s when I knew I could do this for others.
The Brock Agency has been a member of The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce since its inception. They are very helpful and happy for the many “roads” I’ve taken the business. Also, a member of the NC Film Commission and The American Child Actor and Modeling Association, and Better Business Bureau of NC.
When moving to Hickory I was also involved in many charities and sang in my church choir at Holy Trinity Church over 25 years. Some further accomplishments me as a businessperson was receiving the Congressional Business Commission Leadership Award, 2009 Strathmore’s Who’s Who for Leadership and Achievement in my chosen occupation, Industry and Profession, 2006 Businesswoman of the Year for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Catawba County, NC. National Directory of Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals and chaired a local drive for Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox Drive.
I also did some theatre here in Hickory at the beginning and was up for a Kay Award (the name of our theatre award) and was nominated Best Supporting Actress in a role. I didn’t win but it was very exciting to be amongst those who done so many plays before me. The play was “Play It Again Sam” and was at The Hickory Community Theater. It was a great experience.
In the late 90’s The Hickory Housing Authority called and asked me to come in and meet. So, I did, and I met the most wonderful man over the foundation for these families. He asked me if I would be interested in coming in and teaching these young girls a variety of things, like etiquette, how to answer a phone properly, enter a room properly and how to set a table properly. We went over so much more, and I was hired to come in twice a week for a month. So many of these young girls still stay in touch with me today. It was such a blessing!
I traveled a lot to NY, Chicago, Atlanta, etc. to meet with agents, managers, and casting offices. It was years of travel, but it was all worth it. My young daughters and I even moved to NY for a summer (the summer of the OJ Trial) so I could learn inside the business to help my talent if they chose to move to NY then I could guide them on what to do and not do. One of my friends Mom owned a Modeling Agency and I learned so much from them. Traveling like this was to help the company be known and me as well as an Agent.
So, it has been a long road, but I know God leads me and I feel like I was meant to be a “guide” to those who wanted to be in the industry. I pride myself on returning emails, answering calls myself and helping guide those who are new to the industry as well as those who have been in it for a long time.
I taught many years for other entities, but my article will become so long, so I will move 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?
About 3 years ago during Covid I started another business for my screenwriters Eagles Wings Entertainment. It has been hard too, but so rewarding! My writers are strong and focused, and they listen to what I have to say. It’s so rewarding. I’ve represented Screenwriters for over 10 years and this was a “door” I felt would help the writers I have. Things are happening for us on this front too.
To say owning a business is easy isn’t true, but focusing and asking God for direction has been a true key for me. The Brock Agency and Eagles Wings are truly meant to be a way I can help others and them, me. That’s what it’s all about, helping each other. We call ourselves “The Brock Agency Family”. Even my writers share news or contacts, we are all in this world to help each other. This is the way we all should live our lives. This brings joy!!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well, as I said, I was a singer when I was younger, still am a singer. I was also an Artist when I was younger. I painted a HUGE picture of Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and March Hair at Tea. It took quite some time. I entered it in the Apex Woman’s Club Contest, and I won First Place. I was thrilled. When moving to Hickory, I told the Children’s Librarian about it and she wanted to see it. I took it down and she wanted to display it in the Children’s part of the library. Of course, I was honored and there it hung for a year. I also took art classes at Lenoir Rhyne University and had a lot of success with that.
I feel this same joy when I get auditions for my actors/models. Instead of just emailing them, I feel an excited phone call from me, will help them with that contagious feeling. I love telling my talent something has come their way. They also appreciate the phone call.
About 3 years ago during Covid I started another business for my screenwriters Eagles Wings Entertainment. It has been hard too, but so rewarding! My writers are strong and focused, and they listen to what I have to say. It’s so rewarding. I’ve represented Screenwriters for over 10 years, and this was a “door” I felt would help the writers I have. Things are happening for us on this front too.
To say owning a business is easy isn’t true, but focusing and asking God for direction has been a true key for me. The Brock Agency and Eagles Wings are truly meant to be a way I can help others and them, me. That’s what it’s all about, helping each other. We call ourselves “The Brock Agency Family”. Even my writers share news or contacts, we are all in this world to help each other. This is the way we all should live our lives. This brings joy!!
However, I have had many “cheerleaders” and supporters over the years. My Dad being one of them! He was my strongest supporter and always cheered me on. Also, all the Casting Directors, Producers, Directors and Coaches I have met along this journey, I will always be grateful for everyone.
I have had many cheerleaders and mentors over the years and for that I am truly grateful!
Jack Rasnic was my mentor since 1990 when I started The Brock Agency, Inc. Jack was one of the first conventions held in the eastern part of the country. He started in VA and in NC and was very successful for over 35 years; Models of the South for actors and models (before I ever even knew him). Then he finally said he was going to “turn it in”. He was truly one of the most honest people in the business I knew. I asked him about his convention, which I had taken talent and models to for over 18 years. Many were placed with larger “Sister” agencies in NY, GA, LA, Chicago, etc. He had been sending me documents for over 2 years. I did ask him about that, and he said, “just hang onto them”. Which I did and when I asked what I was going to do without Models of the South, he said you are going to have your own convention. Many people still remember Models of the South to this day!!
I was shocked, I told him I didn’t know what to do and he said I am going to train you. Well, train me he did. I started BEST Model and Talent Convention around 2011 and ran it for 9 years until Covid hit, thus not again since. It was such a learning experience for me, and I will be forever grateful for Jack and his wife, Carol’s faith in me to carry on.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Covid was surely a struggle, but I made it work for The Brock Agency. We worked but with restrictions that no one could come if they had been exposed or were sick. I took temperatures, and we only met once a month but surely played it safe. This really is how I run things, anyway, just always play it safe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebrockagency.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrockagency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beverly.j.brock.1/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/castingbev
- Other: https://www.eagleswingsentertainment.com/eagleswingsdirectors
