We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nicole Stephanie . Check out our conversation below.
Hi Nicole, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that made me proud—and even a little emotional—was being in the presence of people who are well-established in this industry. They saw worth and value in me that I hadn’t even recognized in myself. That was pivotal for me because I’ve seen how critical people can be, and yet, they poured nothing but positivity and encouragement into me. They highlighted strengths and talents I wasn’t aware of, and that affirmation made me feel proud of how far I’ve come.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nicole Burton, and I am the founder of PowerTeam Model and Talent Agency, LLC. At PowerTeam, we focus on representing diverse talent and opening doors for models of all sizes, ages, and backgrounds—because I believe the industry should reflect real people, not just one standard of beauty. What makes us unique is our mission: we don’t just book talent, we build confidence, community, and opportunities that last.
My journey started from seeing firsthand how overlooked many aspiring models were simply because they didn’t fit into traditional molds. I wanted to change that narrative. Right now, I’m especially passionate about our upcoming project, Into the Thick of It—a Mental Health Awareness Fashion Show that highlights inclusivity and addresses the very real pressures models face in this industry. For me, this work isn’t just business, it’s purpose: creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a shy, tall, skinny girl who faded into the background—always overlooked, always the last to be chosen. Today, I’ve grown into the woman I was meant to be: a tall, full-figured, curvy woman whose very presence commands attention. I’m not hiding anymore. I stand confidently as the owner of a modeling agency and as a successful professional model myself. My journey has taught me that what once felt like my weaknesses are now my strengths—and I use them to inspire others to embrace who they are, unapologetically.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t settle, and don’t give yourself away. You are worthy of all of God’s glory, just as you are. If anyone or anything makes you feel like you have to fight for it or shrink yourself to fit in, walk away. You deserve to stand in your fullness—unapologetically.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I believe that beauty has no size, no age, and no expiration date. Very few people in the fashion and modeling industry truly agree with me on that—because so much of it is still driven by narrow standards. But I’ve seen firsthand that when people of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life are given the spotlight, they don’t just model clothes—they inspire confidence, break barriers, and change narratives. That’s the truth I stand on, whether the industry accepts it or not.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say that I was someone who made space for others to shine. That I encouraged people to step fully into who they were created to be, without apology. I want to be remembered as a woman who broke barriers in an industry that often tells people they’re ‘not enough,’ and instead built something that reminded them they were always more than enough. Most of all, I hope the story told about me is that I lived with purpose, I loved deeply, and I left behind a legacy of empowerment.
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Image Credits
Wilber Carraway III
Carraway’s Photography
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