We were lucky to catch up with Rayna Verdine recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rayna, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I developed my confidence and self-esteem from gaining much support and love from family, friends and my community. I don’t know where I would be without that kind of love and support. It pushed me and made me excel in many different talents I didn’t think I could ever master. It made me want to be great. The support system I have they are always asking and wondering what’s coming soon, what’s the next project and what can they expect. With that feeling knowing that I have people wanting to see more that I do makes me so happy and gives me a HUGH confidence boost to keep moving forward, keep creating, producing, networking and mastering my craft.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a independent model, creative director, filmmaker, production designer and actor. I have been an independent for about four to five years and it has been AMAZING. I was introduced to the arts when I was four years old expanding my creative craft getting involved in theater, dance, music, writing, film, modeling and production development which all together made me a CREATOR.
Recently started a freelance, indepedent women’s networking company based in Los Angeles, CA bringing a community of young women with different craft and ethnic backgrounds to come together to network, create projects, business opportunities, grow their businesses and build sisterhood. After working with many women on projects and shows, I thought I want to help other women gain the access I have to make things simple and easy plus give them a chance to meet incredible women with the same interest and skills.
I’m currently in the model industry, still independently, doing many runway shows, self producing and creating my own photoshoots to build my portfolio and my presence on social media. This industry is tough and very competitive especially if you want the industry to take you seriously as a model but the best thing about being a model is being able to connect with other models, traveling and showing the world who you are beauty inside and outside.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
COURAGE, FAITH and DEDICATION. There is more than three qualities I would say have helped me get to where I am today but advice I would give to anyone who is starting this journey is don’t be afraid and take that giant leap. I know many people would say to wait and see what happens but never, ever wait on your dreams. Take that chance and see what it can lead plus happen. Waiting is just a set back and a way from keeping you from living your dream. Don’t ever let anyone or anything stop or delay your dreams. Build that COURAGE, FAITH and DEDICATION.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am ALWAYS looking for people especially women to partner and collaborate with in any projects whether it’s in film, modeling / photoshoots, production designing, screenwriting, ANY PROJECT. I would love to women who are willing to work with or without a budget, who have a VISION, who wants to continue working together, who is not afraid of what they want to create and produce and whoever believes in themselves. I have worked with some women before who have that mindset which is beautiful and amazing to see because it inpsires me to keep doing what I’m doing and keep going no matter what. I’m open to women who want to create, who want to partner and collaborate again and again and who believes in this project. If you don’t believe in yourself or your project then what is the point. ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR PROJECT BECAUSE ONE DAY IT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.my.canva.site/modelportfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjustrayna___/
- Other: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.my.canva.site/
Image Credits
Lauren Lightfoot @iam_laurennicole Patrick Thompson @patrickonthemoon Emi Ford @emianaford Blaine Dean Media @blainedeanmeadia Phil Lam X @phillamx The Model Experience @themodelexperience
