We were lucky to catch up with Hennessie Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hennessie, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I developed my confidence and self esteem from firstly, working on myself. There was a time in my life where I did not always feel good about myself. I used to hate what I saw when I looked in the mirror and would be so hard on myself. But as I grew up and started navigating this thing called Life, I realized that how I look is actually okay. I had to tell myself back then and still to this day, when I am having one of those moments, like “Alright Henney, we’re breaking out again, skin is getting dry, let’s switch it up and fix it” or “Okay girl, now these pants just fit last month, what the hell happened, get it together!” I also make it a point to not be so hard on myself, the world does that enough, honey. So when I am having those talks with myself, I make sure to laugh as well LOL.
Another thing that helps boost me, is seeing that other plus size women look up to me. I get messages and comments from women saying how they wish they had the confidence I have, or could walk in heels, or could take pictures, or just be sexy. So I’m just like “But you can!” You absolutely can do whatever you feel like doing, but you have to START. I am more than happy to help anyone get started, but it truly does bring me joy to see other women be inspired and say that they look up to me. It’s like “Me? You look up to little old me? Why thank you!” lol I just want to be a staple and inspiration to other plus size women, let them know that there is a space for US, we just got to move some people out the way LOL.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
So I am a fashion model, as well as a creative director and stylist. I have always had a love for fashion, and to see where fashion was way back then when I was growing up, to where it is now, its absolutely amazing. I love that it is not just constantly evolving but also revolving! So many styles and looks are coming back from years ago, as a 90s baby it’s very exciting!
What makes me excited about doing what I do, is many things. From the model perspective, I love dressing up, getting cute, taking pictures, and having fun in front of the camera. It takes me to another place, and it is one of my happy places. From the stylist/creative director side, its still the same concepts, however its like having life size dolls LOL. Whether my clients come to me with their theme and concepts already, or they need my help creating it, it’s just so much fun creating and bringing life to the ideas that we come up with. My favorite part of being a creative director is being behind the camera, and getting to see firsthand the GLOW that shows up and shines in my clients. It is absolutely rewarding, because often times they don’t think they can do it, or they think that they look silly. Baby, look here, stick that leg out, point them toes, show a little shoulder, hand on your hips, and lets be FIERCE! LOL I love being able to show them like “look at you, that is YOU posing like that, looking beautiful, being confident and having fun.” I want to give my clients an experience they won’t forget, and so far I believe I have done that. I pray that I can continue doing it, and grow into who God is calling me to be so that I can serve and give my clients the best me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Oh goodness, that’s a good question lol. I can’t even say the things that were most impactful to me are considered skills or qualities, but they definitely helped me in my journey. The first one is FAITH. Whew child, cause faith has brought me through some things! Now I know not everyone is religious or spiritual, but for me this has been my most impactful component that has kept me going. There have been some days where I have wanted to give up, even recently, but my faith has held me steady. Yall know that bible scripture, “Faith without work is DEAD”, well it’s very much true. That goes into the next thing, which is being consistent. It is VERY hard and I don’t know why lol. Sometimes the motivation just isn’t there, and you have to find the flame again. Being consistent is most definitely an acquired skill I had to pick up being an entrepreneur. As much as I cross my fingers and toes and just wish miracles would fall into my emails and DMs; it don’t work that way! LOL. The final thing I would say, which again I don’t know if I can say if its a skill or quality, but I will say, know who your audience is and who your village/support system is. Everyone ain’t going to like you, or what you do, But SOMEONE will, and that’s who you focus on, that’s who you keep things going for, after yourself, of course. Because there will always be someone saying “Oh why she do that? That don’t look right. She shouldn’t have done that.” But you know what I can say? “At least I’m doing it.” so HAHA, haters LOL
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Sleep. Take a nap. Close my eyes. LOL I cannot think straight or function properly when I am overwhelmed. So for me, I need to just forget about what it is that is causing me to be overwhelmed. In moments when I can’t take a nap I do listen to music. Music helps me escape the reality of whatever it is that’s going on, I like to create music videos or photoshoot ideas in my head LOL. Trying to function normally, while having a lot on my mind is not easy for me, and it can be draining to me also. So I absolutely have to step away from whatever is overwhelming me, and taking a nap, no matter what time it is, helps me. When I wake up, I pray for clarity and focus, and then I get back to what needs to be done.
Contact Info:
- Website: humblepressuremodeling.net
- Instagram: _humblepressure
- Facebook: Humble Pressure Modeling
- Other: TikTok: _humblepressure
Image Credits
Photographer 1: Jade Newborn @ The ViVid Experience (IG: thevividexperience) Photographer 2: Joshua Silvers @ Joshua Silvers Photography (IG: joshuasilversphotography)
