About Daisi Jo Pollard Sepulveda
I often get asked the question, "Where do I start with modeling?" or "How do I get into the industry?" and I always want to give the best answer for each person that I encounter but often there's not enough time or it's not the right place to go into detail.
Well, how great would it be to have one place where you have an answer to all these questions? That's why I created Starter Model Guide. Starter Model Guide is the place where you can learn everything you need to know about how to get into the modeling business and stay busy as a model. With Starter Model Guide tools, courses, and products, you will be ready for every modeling opportunity that comes your way!
My Starter Model Story
In the beginning, I was an average girl with model potential. Before the days of ANTM, I watched Fashion TV and MTV’s House of Style and religiously practiced and planned for when a modeling scout discovered me.
As a kid my mom cut out sections from the back of the newspaper for Wilhelmina Kids Model Searches and stuck them on the refrigerator planning to take me and siblings one day but like many parents hoping to get their kids in front of industry gatekeepers - agents, managers, and scouts; we were always busy with school, family affairs and life just got in the way.
At 12 years old, I saw a modeling school in a strip mall in my neighborhood. Excited that my chance had finally come, I rush inside thinking that if they only saw me then everything would start happening. Instead, they tried to sell me classes and told me to come back with a parent.
A year later I went to live with my grandmother. The moment I got off the plane she took one look at me and said, “You’re going to be a model!” The very next day she took me to an Open Call for Ford Models Kids Division and they signed me up! FINALLY - I’ve been discovered. I’m a REAL MODEL!
Well, no actually….On the way home my grandmother told me I wasn’t a real model until I landed my first job and got my first paycheck.
I spent weeks going on castings, go-sees, and auditions. No-one told me that I would spend more time going to see about getting a modeling job than I would spend actually “modeling”. It was boring. After school each day I had to walk around the city and take the subway from casting to casting. Finally, I landed my first modeling job. The initial feeling was GREAT but I wanted more. For each job I got, I spent hours commuting and waiting while spending lots of money on photos and other marketing materials. Even at the ripe age of 13, I had one boring question on my mind….
How was I going to be the Bi-Racial Cindy Crawford as a nobody without a rich famous family?
Fast forward a decade of going on more castings, auditions, and go-sees. Landing some gigs, losing many more in between. Traveling from NYC to Miami to LA to South Africa to Europe and back, living out of suitcases in crowded model apartments and cheap hotels trying to make a name and leave a mark. Modeling can be a really hard life with little stability and no real guarantees.
I think EVERYONE gets the feeling that they want to leave a mark, have a purpose, meaning while making more money and having more freedom.
Life for me changed when I decided to compete as “Miss Jamaica” in the Miss Asia Pacific International competition. I began BRANDING myself with a website, business cards and on social media.
- I got out every single book I could find about marketing and branding
- I read blogs and articles about sponsorship and business
- Every night I’d stay up writing down ideas of how I could promote myself and get people to follow me.
What I learned about marketing and branding myself really paid off. By the time I was headed to China for my first competition I had secured my first sponsorship deal, had made several appearances including public speaking, newspapers, television, and radio.
One of the most notable experiences I learned was how to handle controversy. During the Miss Asia Pacific International 2005 competition in Guangzhou, China I conducted on stage protest regarding the poor treatment of contestants by the organizers. It made front-page newspapers in China.
Throughout my 10 year + pageant career, I’ve held the following titles:
Miss Jamaica International 2005, Miss Asia Pacific International Jamaica 2005, Miss Earth Jamaica 2005, Miss Beauty Queen World Jamaica 2005, Miss Beauty Queen World 2005, Miss Asia USA Israel 2005, Miss Asia USA Yemen 2006, Mrs. Jamaica 2011 and Mrs. Ethnic World International 2012.
It’s been many, many years since I first stepped foot on a pageant stage but I’ll never forget how empowering it was to learn to take charge of my personal brand. Because I chose myself I was able to open doors for others. I was the first Jamaican candidate to compete at Miss Asia Pacific International, Miss Earth and Miss International. Since many girls have followed in my footsteps.
Model to Modelpreneur
From Agency Model to Self-Made Model
THE MODEL
Daisi Jo began her modeling career as a pre-teen and has continued to grow and future her career. She is most notable for her unique ability to self-promote and market herself within agency ranks and independently as a freelance model. She has graced numerous magazines, runways, and screens appearing in fashion weeks, ad campaigns, and commercials around the world. Daisi frequently appears on the runways of Los Angeles Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, New York Couture Fashion Week, and many others. Daisi has appeared in advertisements for major brands and television shows including Fiverr, Biltmore Hotels, Launch My Line, and How to Look Good Naked. Visit Daisi's Modeling Portfolio here, DaisiJo.com.
THE BEAUTY QUEEN
Daisi Jo Pollard Sepulveda represented Jamaica in the international pageant scene from 2005 through 2012. During her reigns, she held the following titles. Miss Jamaica International 2005, Miss Asia Pacific International Jamaica 2005, Miss Earth Jamaica 2005, Miss Beauty Queen World Jamaica 2005, Miss Beauty Queen World 2005, Miss Asia USA Israel 2005, Miss Asia USA Yemen 2006, Mrs. Jamaica 2011, and Mrs. Ethnic World International 2012.
Through competing, Daisi used her platform to drive attention towards causes she cared deeply about. During her reigns, she contributed to the charitable and philanthropic growth of several non-profit organizations as an ambassador, board member, and chairwoman.
THE MODELPRENEUR
As a Modelpreneur, Daisi’s early business endeavors included a talent management firm, high-end car service, e-commerce, and production studios. Presently, Daisi is the Founder and CEO of Brazen Digital Group, a family of brands that include MyProductModel.com, BrazenInfluencers.com, and DaisiJoReviews.com. Learn more about Daisi here, DaisiPollard.com
