Meet Bianca Ellerbe | Urban Model & Bakery Chef

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

Hi Bianca, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursue a creative career because I’m really big on creative freedom. When you work in a establishment with a set amount of rules , and they have a set way of doing things. You tend to feel trapped if you are a creative that isn’t allowed to express themselves. I believe your career should be one that you enjoy, one where you show people who you are. I like to show people what makes me, well me! I have a brain that comes up with a million ideas in a minute. Sometimes is really hard to contain it all.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For me as a baker I always try to make new treats that others aren’t making on the regular. Coming up with new combinations to try, making new recipes. You gotta think a million people can be doing the same thing as you, but they aren’t you and that’s what makes you different. Im still growing everyday and now that I’m also making medicated meals things are really picking up for my customer with Anxiety or ADHD. It’s not easy at all because with fresh baked products you have a limited shelf life. Starting off I would be throwing away or giving away food because I didnt want it to expire. I didnt know about doing preorders and deposits I just wanted to get customers. Then I really started to pay attention to what was working , taking advice from friends. They told me “Bianca you are the boss you set the price and people will buy.” Once I knew that I started charging my worth and running my business with more thought and care. As far as a model I’ve had a up and down journey. I was able to be featured in two urban magazine’s and three music videos. It’s scary being a model that handles all of their bookings and connections. You come across a lot of creepy people and manipulative “photographers” in the industry. If anything I’ve learned while being a model it’s that to not do any work without reading a signing a contract to protect yourself. Also make a contract for anyone who wants to work with you , so you have control over your own time and money. As a model I love to recreate scenes in a urban way that shows that black girls can also do the same style. There’s a lot of corners in the modeling industry that some black women may be afraid to touch. I want to touch them all I want to break those narratives or what a model should look like and show that anyone can do it with hard work. Being a model I’ve also learned patience, you have to stand there for x amount of hours. You have to hold poses, do outfit changes , get your hair and makeup done and for those not use to it, it’s a all day thing. Your body will definitely be sore and tired but if you love doing it you won’t mind it. What I want the world to know about me is that I will always come up with different ideas to showcase my personality. That everything I do and present is truly me and who I am, and what I love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Edgewood is definitely one of my most favorite attraction spots. It’s filled with bars and restaurants that are mostly black owned. I love giving back to my people so black owned business are always a go. You have Harold’s chicken for food and drinks that have happy hour ALL DAY. Then there’s fin and feathers for your sports and food. I would Definitely take my friend to Cru lounge for hookah and drinks. Little five points is where I would go to talk pictures and do some shopping they have neat vintage and thrift stores that are aesthetically pleasing. Centennial Park is also on the list to ride the Ferris wheel wether day or night and the scooters through midtown after. We would take a hike up Stone Mountain park to the top to look down at the world take pictures and have lunch. Go on picnics in Piedmont park and play with the dogs , swing on the swings like children. Go to Jeju spa for a relaxing day after all of our traveling and excitement. We would also go to 10th and pediment my favorite brunch spot for bottomless mimosas and the creamy Cajun salmon Alfredo. Rum Punch brunch on a Sunday is definitely on the list as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The person who deserves the most credit in my life right now is my mother. Not to sound cliché but she’s really the reason I’ve had the strength and courage to pursue my passion. She was always very supportive no matter what ideas I came up with. She never looked down on my work , she would pause on her own business of which she’s been doing for 22 years to help me with mine. My mother makes homemade body care products from scratch, that takes time and patience. Watching her and seeing her grow let me know that, to have a great business you need patience. Not everyone starts off with a bang. She also kept on my back when I would slack off asking “Where’s the next menu?” Or “Have you been promoting?” I really Appreciate her because without her knowledge and generosity I probably would still be slacking off.

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Image Credits
@CLphotography027 @eddiegphoto.portraits