ENTREPRENEURSHIP can be a lonely path and while many young people are not afraid of solitude, they need support from peers, business and financial institutions.
SunMoney spoke to three young people – Bernard Motai (23), Lebohang Modise (23) and Thato Masiteng (21) – who launched their own model agency, Bernard Eagle Modelling Agency.
Through their agency, they find work for young models wanting to make their own way in the world. The agency registers and creates profiles for them.
Motai said: “Modelling is a whole career by itself and we have seen how some stars got to where they are through modelling.
“We help young boys and girls who are interested in modelling to understand and know everything they need to know about the modelling industry so they can depend on it for a living.”
He said getting capital to make their business fly was a big challenge and they have to be creative to raise funds for their business.
“We decided to introduce event organising, branding, promotions, music videos and photo shoots as part of the businesses so that we have more money coming in from all kinds of transactions, as well as the core modelling business we have.”
As a kasi-based business in Naledi, Soweto, Bernard Eagle have done well. They handle 60 models on their account as well as five staff working in all parts of the business.
“But we do not want to end there. We want to grow further and do more, not only for our models but for other young but unemployed people.”
For more information about Bernard Eagle Modelling, visit www.bernardeaglemodels.co.za
