Modeling is a sales job. I believe this is most important thing to understand. Instead of selling someone else's product or service, you are selling yourself, your talents and your skills.
Having a sales mindset for modeling is a great start to being successful in this business.
If you are in a sales job that provides a lot of flexibility and can also provide a comfortable salary, then you're ahead of many, many people in terms of not having to worry about covering expenses while you get your portfolio together and building a network.
However, one ongoing problem you're probably going to face is juggling your schedule between modeling go-sees, jobs and sales meetings. There's no real answer that perfectly resolves scheduling conflicts like this. Assuming your sales job is remote with minimal in-office face time; your main issues come into play on days when you get a last minute call for a casting or a booking and you are unavailable due to a previously committed sales meeting. My advice is that you set up some guardrails for what type of modeling jobs are worth missing sales meetings for and which ones aren't. Having a framework of what type of modeling work you are focused on is also very important. For example, I own and operate a media business and also model full-time. I have very strict guidelines for the type of work I will accept and the rates I will work for.
I don't do TFP's with unknown photographers. I also rarely accept projects with a low profile. Meaning that the work has to have a wide distribution that will be seen somewhere (i.e. billboards, commercials, widely distribution social media ads, etc.). That way I can maximize the exposure I'll receive from doing the job, not only the pay. This has helped me in other areas of my business. Clients recognize me and are more likely to want to hire my business.
Another tip if you're worried about sales clients seeing your modeling work and not wanting to work with you say because you're in a lingerie ad or something is to focus on doing commercial print and corporate style projects. I do a ton of corporate videos for clients who need an attractive camera friendly face who can also read a teleprompter and present on-camera.
The reality is that most models have to juggle a second job with their modeling careers. Most of the time their second job isn't something they want to be doing and also has strict hours like working at a coffee shop, waitressing, or working in an office. Framed that way, I bet you can see the opportunity that having a sales job can provide you.
I'm a 20 year modeling industry veteran who has worked with major agencies and now manages all my client work in-house. I have worked with brands such as LA Fitness, Saatchi Art, Uoma Beauty, Sephora, Netflix and many more. I write a newsletter and offer courses helping aspiring models break into the modeling industry at the StarterModelGuide.com . Follow me on Instagram, Instagram.com/startermodelguide and Instagram.com/daisijo