Meet Payton Aughnay

 

We were lucky to catch up with Payton Aughnay recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Payton, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

Without risk, there is no opportunity for something greater. If you live a life cautious of any outcome there is no opportunity to take a chance. Essentially betting on yourself.

Risking time, money, and energy to achieve your dreams is part of the process. Making sure you’re not expending yourself is most important.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Modeling for about two years now, I have been completely freelance which is a lot sometimes! I am impressed with my progress since I don’t have an agent/agency backing me up.
I’ve been pushing the limits of my comfort zone and traveling solo which makes me feel more capable in the end.
On my own, I have made it to New York fashion week for two seasons now, consistently shooting out of Chicago as well.
Expanding my portfolio has been the main goal now as I’d Like to work with bigger brands and promote festivals.

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?

By far the most Quality is CONFIDENCE in this industry. You have to be sure yourself before you make others sure of you!
You have to be DETERMINED and not feel shut down easily. Not everything goes as planned. Things take time and more than one try if you’re not lucky.
I believe GRATITUDE is underused and under expressed in the Industry as well. A little bit can go along way and it leaves an impression.
The advice I can give with the experience I have is be authentic to yourself. Stand Your own ground. Meet the expectations of yourself before you try to meet those from others. With that rule, you’ll almost always succeeded.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Since day one, my mom has been my number one supporter. No matter what she is always there to help me work through Anything I find challenging.
She is taught me to be confident in myself, no matter what and always show kindness to others.
Being a business owner, she has always experienced him to work hard for what you have.
She has taught me how to be grateful in more ways than one.
Realizing how involved she was with my life as a single mother made all of the difference.
Everyday I want to be as strong as her!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All photography for this interview has been shot by @monyeka_

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