Model Management Agency - MMA is recognized as one of the most respected talent agencies in the Philadelphia and Tri-State area since it was founded in 1989.
Amanda
Talijan @Mandsmania,
one of MMA's many successful models, leads her blog with
an adapted quote, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll
land among the stars."
Talijan's
selection of Norman Vincent Peale's famous motivational lines smartly
matches her persistently positive outlook. This New Jersey native has
also demonstrated that she recognizes one of life's greatest
challenges.
Everyone's
individual equation is established through their natural gifts. The
manner in which each person chooses to develop and use their talents
directs us toward solutions. Answers are then creatively discovered
along the way.
Someone
who's born in New Jersey doesn't just happen to begin her modeling
career in Philadelphia, appear in Fashion Week in New York and then
move to London in less than two years time. Luck wasn't a deciding
factor in this instance. Instead, a strong person, who has a good
family, built solid friendships and is blessed with the right career
connections, created her uniquely inspiring real-life story.
From
the beginning
Talijan
was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey in 1990. She grew up less than
twenty minutes north in the same-state town of Belvedere.
Her
parents (Sharlenee and Gary) fully supported her choice to attend
Millersville University after graduating from Notre Dame Catholic
High School in 2009. So, with an impressive volleyball scholarship
packed in her suitcase and focused dedication secured within her
character, she began to pursue a Masters Degree in Psychology.
"My
parents have always supported me and my sisters ( Gabby, 20 and
Maddie, 17). They instilled the idea that no matter what we do, we
should commit to doing our best and make sure to do it 100%. I've
taken that same approach toward my career.
"I
remember from a very young age that I would have conversations with
people and they would explain how they felt emotionally at that
moment. I always found myself wanting to understand why people felt
the way that they did. Studying psychology helps me to understand
more about human nature," Talijan said.
Even
though she enjoyed the subject matter, Talijan didn't feel that
career path fit her current aspirations. By the spring of 2012, a
meeting helped to open a new door.
Gary
Talijan was attending a dinner party when he showed a photo of his
family to a friend who referred him to Ellen
Wasser-Hrin (the
Founder and Director of MMA/ Model Management Agency). Gary relayed
the advice he received to Amanda, who was in her third year of
college, and a new career was set to begin.
Recognizing
her path
"When
I chose to leave school I had this weird feeling that I wanted to do
something else. But, I wasn't sure of the direction that I wanted to
go in. And then I met Ellen and everything fell into place. I felt
like I was at peace. I adore her. I walked out of her office and I
felt that modeling was what I was meant to do next in my life,"
Talijan said.
Model
Management Agency - MMA began serving as Talijan's mother agency.
That vital business decision allowed this model's career options to
flourish.
"I
started modeling at an age where most people's careers have peaked,
or are almost over. So, there were definitely times when I thought
that I was so much older than everyone else when I started out.
"Using
my experiences has helped me to reason, understand and accept the ups
and downs of my career. So, I really think that it benefited me to
start my career later in life," Talijan said.
Positive
parental influence
"I
sat down with my parents and we talked about finishing school, or
leaving and choosing to pursue a modeling career. I really put a lot
of thought into the pros and cons of everything and it just played
out in a way that everything happens for a reason and this is the
next step.
"My
parents realized that I was taking a huge risk. But, when they met
Ellen they connected with her and understood why I had such a
positive outlook on this new journey.
"Ellen
is such a spiritual person. She has been in the industry for many
years and is still so true to who she is. That's what gave me a
positive start and without that, I probably wouldn't have continued
on with this journey at all," Talijan said.
Inside
the industry
"Modeling
is an art form and the industry is so much more than being tall, thin
and pretty," Talijan said.
That
statement makes what this 5' 8 1/2" model has already
accomplished that much more impressive. Her rapid ascent in a
highly-competitive world hasn't happened by chance.
After
working a variety of bookings through the summer of 2012, New York
City was alive with her name on one particular fall day.
"I
began building my book and getting the vibe of the industry. I spoke
to Ellen and shared with her that I was ready to make the move to New
York. Based upon my age and experience, she totally supported my
decision," Talijan said.
On
her birthday (September 27, 2012) Wasser-Hrin accompanied Talijan to
the Big Apple. By day's end she had contracts with a commercial
agency and a high-fashion agency.
Talijan
moved to New York and appeared in presentations at Fashion Week in
January 2013. She followed in the footsteps of Kate Moss and Cara
Delavingne, who also stood under the traditional six foot model mark.
Like those famous ladies, she also helped to break tradition.
"At
that point it was starting to get a little overwhelming. I was
looking at these girls who were so much taller than me. But, I was
there and doing it. So, I wanted to give it all that I had.
"The
way that it happened (in New York) was meant to be," Talijan
said.
A
self-made business plan
"After
Fashion Week was over, I left the city and moved back home but
continued to go on castings and book work in both New York and
Philadelphia.
What
sets winners apart from those who settle for past glory is
persistence and a belief in tomorrow. So, after doing a few Look
books between March and May a life-changing opportunity stood dead
ahead.
"I've
always kept notes. Every three months I make a list of what I've
accomplished and compare it to what I've done previously. I keep
track of whether I'm progressing in all areas of my life.
"It's
important to remember the positive and negative things and to not
forget the little things," Talijan said.
In
transferring her experiences and hopes to physical form, Talijan was
able to see a clear picture. After conferring with her mother at the
beginning of August, she decided to give herself another year to see
how she felt.
London
calls
Talijan
was five hours away from New York City, visiting a friend one
weekend, when she received a call from her agent. She was asked to
meet with London-based Lenis Model Management the next day.
She
got up at 4 a.m., drove to her agent's office, and later met with the
London agency at a hotel in downtown Manhattan.
The
agent asked if Talijan had her passport and wanted to get the ball
rolling. With Wasser-Hrin by her side, the atmosphere was set for the
next chapter in this story to be lived.
"I
remember walking out of the room and getting in the elevator and
Ellen giving me a big hug and telling me how amazing it was. (Model
Management Agency - MMA then signed her with the agency in London.)
"We
call Ellen my guardian angel. She has such a good understanding of
the industry. Having her by my side through all of this and being
able to bounce ideas off her is great. The relationship that I have
with her, I really could not be more thankful.
"My
main goal was to travel and to work in another country. It was
mind-blowing that it was all happening so quickly," Talijan
said.
She
flew to London on August 28, 2013. The next day she had six castings
and is now working steadily.
Wise
advice
"I
feel there are so many things that you can assume about a person when
you look at a picture.
"I've
made it my priority to not be Amanda the model. When I'm working, I
choose to be Amanda the person. It's so much more than who you are
and what you are doing," Talijan said.
Clearly
a skilled multi-tasker, she continues to pursue her Masters Degree in
Psychology while working full-time as a model. Her inspiring story is
far from finished, but this portion of it ends with sound advice.
"No
matter where you decide to go, it's important to know why you are
doing what you are doing. Make sure that whatever you are doing makes
you a better version of yourself. And, it's always important to
remember who you are," Talijan said.
(My feature originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2014.)
Amanda
Talijan @Mandsmania,
one of MMA's many successful models, leads her blog with
an adapted quote, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll
land among the stars."
Talijan's
selection of Norman Vincent Peale's famous motivational lines smartly
matches her persistently positive outlook. This New Jersey native has
also demonstrated that she recognizes one of life's greatest
challenges.
Everyone's
individual equation is established through their natural gifts. The
manner in which each person chooses to develop and use their talents
directs us toward solutions. Answers are then creatively discovered
along the way.
Someone
who's born in New Jersey doesn't just happen to begin her modeling
career in Philadelphia, appear in Fashion Week in New York and then
move to London in less than two years time. Luck wasn't a deciding
factor in this instance. Instead, a strong person, who has a good
family, built solid friendships and is blessed with the right career
connections, created her uniquely inspiring real-life story.
From
the beginning
Talijan
was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey in 1990. She grew up less than
twenty minutes north in the same-state town of Belvedere.
Her
parents (Sharlenee and Gary) fully supported her choice to attend
Millersville University after graduating from Notre Dame Catholic
High School in 2009. So, with an impressive volleyball scholarship
packed in her suitcase and focused dedication secured within her
character, she began to pursue a Masters Degree in Psychology.
"My
parents have always supported me and my sisters ( Gabby, 20 and
Maddie, 17). They instilled the idea that no matter what we do, we
should commit to doing our best and make sure to do it 100%. I've
taken that same approach toward my career.
"I
remember from a very young age that I would have conversations with
people and they would explain how they felt emotionally at that
moment. I always found myself wanting to understand why people felt
the way that they did. Studying psychology helps me to understand
more about human nature," Talijan said.
Even
though she enjoyed the subject matter, Talijan didn't feel that
career path fit her current aspirations. By the spring of 2012, a
meeting helped to open a new door.
Gary
Talijan was attending a dinner party when he showed a photo of his
family to a friend who referred him to Ellen
Wasser-Hrin (the
Founder and Director of MMA/ Model Management Agency). Gary relayed
the advice he received to Amanda, who was in her third year of
college, and a new career was set to begin.
Recognizing
her path
"When
I chose to leave school I had this weird feeling that I wanted to do
something else. But, I wasn't sure of the direction that I wanted to
go in. And then I met Ellen and everything fell into place. I felt
like I was at peace. I adore her. I walked out of her office and I
felt that modeling was what I was meant to do next in my life,"
Talijan said.
Model
Management Agency - MMA began serving as Talijan's mother agency.
That vital business decision allowed this model's career options to
flourish.
"I
started modeling at an age where most people's careers have peaked,
or are almost over. So, there were definitely times when I thought
that I was so much older than everyone else when I started out.
"Using
my experiences has helped me to reason, understand and accept the ups
and downs of my career. So, I really think that it benefited me to
start my career later in life," Talijan said.
Positive
parental influence
"I
sat down with my parents and we talked about finishing school, or
leaving and choosing to pursue a modeling career. I really put a lot
of thought into the pros and cons of everything and it just played
out in a way that everything happens for a reason and this is the
next step.
"My
parents realized that I was taking a huge risk. But, when they met
Ellen they connected with her and understood why I had such a
positive outlook on this new journey.
"Ellen
is such a spiritual person. She has been in the industry for many
years and is still so true to who she is. That's what gave me a
positive start and without that, I probably wouldn't have continued
on with this journey at all," Talijan said.
Inside
the industry
"Modeling
is an art form and the industry is so much more than being tall, thin
and pretty," Talijan said.
That
statement makes what this 5' 8 1/2" model has already
accomplished that much more impressive. Her rapid ascent in a
highly-competitive world hasn't happened by chance.
After
working a variety of bookings through the summer of 2012, New York
City was alive with her name on one particular fall day.
"I
began building my book and getting the vibe of the industry. I spoke
to Ellen and shared with her that I was ready to make the move to New
York. Based upon my age and experience, she totally supported my
decision," Talijan said.
On
her birthday (September 27, 2012) Wasser-Hrin accompanied Talijan to
the Big Apple. By day's end she had contracts with a commercial
agency and a high-fashion agency.
Talijan
moved to New York and appeared in presentations at Fashion Week in
January 2013. She followed in the footsteps of Kate Moss and Cara
Delavingne, who also stood under the traditional six foot model mark.
Like those famous ladies, she also helped to break tradition.
"At
that point it was starting to get a little overwhelming. I was
looking at these girls who were so much taller than me. But, I was
there and doing it. So, I wanted to give it all that I had.
"The
way that it happened (in New York) was meant to be," Talijan
said.
A
self-made business plan
"After
Fashion Week was over, I left the city and moved back home but
continued to go on castings and book work in both New York and
Philadelphia.
What
sets winners apart from those who settle for past glory is
persistence and a belief in tomorrow. So, after doing a few Look
books between March and May a life-changing opportunity stood dead
ahead.
"I've
always kept notes. Every three months I make a list of what I've
accomplished and compare it to what I've done previously. I keep
track of whether I'm progressing in all areas of my life.
"It's
important to remember the positive and negative things and to not
forget the little things," Talijan said.
In
transferring her experiences and hopes to physical form, Talijan was
able to see a clear picture. After conferring with her mother at the
beginning of August, she decided to give herself another year to see
how she felt.
London
calls
Talijan
was five hours away from New York City, visiting a friend one
weekend, when she received a call from her agent. She was asked to
meet with London-based Lenis Model Management the next day.
She
got up at 4 a.m., drove to her agent's office, and later met with the
London agency at a hotel in downtown Manhattan.
The
agent asked if Talijan had her passport and wanted to get the ball
rolling. With Wasser-Hrin by her side, the atmosphere was set for the
next chapter in this story to be lived.
"I
remember walking out of the room and getting in the elevator and
Ellen giving me a big hug and telling me how amazing it was. (Model
Management Agency - MMA then signed her with the agency in London.)
"We
call Ellen my guardian angel. She has such a good understanding of
the industry. Having her by my side through all of this and being
able to bounce ideas off her is great. The relationship that I have
with her, I really could not be more thankful.
"My
main goal was to travel and to work in another country. It was
mind-blowing that it was all happening so quickly," Talijan
said.
She
flew to London on August 28, 2013. The next day she had six castings
and is now working steadily.
Wise
advice
"I
feel there are so many things that you can assume about a person when
you look at a picture.
"I've
made it my priority to not be Amanda the model. When I'm working, I
choose to be Amanda the person. It's so much more than who you are
and what you are doing," Talijan said.
Clearly
a skilled multi-tasker, she continues to pursue her Masters Degree in
Psychology while working full-time as a model. Her inspiring story is
far from finished, but this portion of it ends with sound advice.
"No
matter where you decide to go, it's important to know why you are
doing what you are doing. Make sure that whatever you are doing makes
you a better version of yourself. And, it's always important to
remember who you are," Talijan said.(My feature originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2014.)
