Meet Samie Burnett | Model and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samie Burnett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samie, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea actually came from being let go from an agency that I was with. I went to the casting call, got the call back and was super excited. The year that I spent with them everything that was told was going to happen never happened. I was told I had to stand out to them, grow my own following (basically had to grab their attention) I was frustrated because I didn’t understand. I was taking great photos, working with local designers and boutiques yet I was still not good enough. I think it was August or September of 2019 the idea came to me. I was talking with my photographer and I told him I wanted to create a modeling agency that helps everyone. Not people who meets a certain criteria but ALL models from ALL walks of life. I wanted to give back to those what was given to me. Modeling has taught me a lot. Being with an agency taught me a lot. It made me realize that sometimes you have to create the path that you are looking for. My worth wasn’t seen and I wasn’t given the opportunity to show what I got, so I decided to change that rhetoric and do it myself. My ultimate goal is to create an agency that sees everyone for who they are and be able to help them achieve the goal they are looking for.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work for a school. I am an AVID Tutor. The job itself is not hard but remembering that these students are coming from all walks of life and with the pandemic haven’t been in a classroom in a while is the tough part. My journey here started in middle school. I loved working/helping other students and it translated over into college where I worked with elementary school kids. That was the biggest lesson of my life. I learned to release a lot of toxic traits and build new healthy traits while dealing with kids. I did a lot of programs AmeriCorps being one of them and those 3 years were the best 3 years professionally for me. I was doing exactly what I wanted to do. Building relationships with youth, advocating for the youth, and so much more. What I want the world to know is that I am much more than what society thinks of me. I am smart all around. Want to make change for youth but also adults.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Honestly I am a home body. I don’t really like stepping out my house so my best friend and I would have to figure that out along the way. I do like seafood so that’s a must, Jamaican spots. Maybe check out museums and art spots. For the night scene I been to the gold room and Josephine so those are definitely on my list.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My close friends and family. My bestfriend has always had my back. She’s been my friend for 11 years and always keeps it real with me. I have so many people who have inspired me and spoke life into me. Mentors and older Black Women who see something that’s worth recognizing. I appreciate them all.

Instagram: Badgyalsambam

Facebook: Model Samie Burnett

Image Credits
Model: Samantha Crawley Photographer: David Kenyon