Melissa, tell us how you and your family first got involved in modeling and acting?

Melissa: We started this amazing journey by first attending an orientation meeting at Barbizon of Akron, which offered us a view into the industry of modeling and acting in the local and national markets. We immediately knew this Agency could offer an incredible opportunity for our children to enter the world of modeling and acting. (This was something “THEY” wanted to do and we embraced their desire to try it out.)

What made you and your family decide to attend the training center at Barbizon of Akron?

Melissa: We looked into many agencies in various States during the past several years, and never once did my husband nor I feel comfortable with the Staff or training programs being offered to our children. When I came to Barbizon of Akron and Pro-Model and Talent (PMTM) with my husband and three daughters, we were introduced to the staff, who immediately struck me as professional and knowledgeable about the industry. I always trust my first instinct, and everything in me said this was the training center and agency to go with. Not only was I right, but incredibly delighted to learn that this training center was the key to opening the doors of opportunity in the model - talent industry.

How did you, the girls, and your husband, Dave, enjoy the training at Barbizon of Akron?

Melissa: We have a family wall of Barbizon of Akron Graduation Certificates that each of us is proud of. We all had different interests coming into the training, and it was amazing to see the changes that began to occur in our household within the first few weeks. Self-confidence and self-esteem began to emerge from my kindergartner, who was generally shy and reserved. Suddenly, she was standing up in front of friends and family giving step-by-step instruction on how to perform in front of the camera and doing commercials. It was so exciting to see that she was becoming comfortable with herself and those around her. My third-grader found that she loved acting, and auditioned for her first school play. I can say, without question, these are things my girls would not have done had they not attended Barbizon of Akron. As parents, we gained knowledge to help support our children. As adults, we surmounted milestones in seeing ourselves outside the roles of parent or spouse, and inside the person who often gets lost in the titles we carry in our lives.

What advice do you give to parents thinking of pursuing Barbizon of Akron?

Melissa: From one parent to another, I can tell you that Barbizon of Akron is the training center to bring your kids to. They are a fantastic group of trained professionals that offer a program like no other for you or your child. Having spent several years looking into this industry, I know this is the real deal. They are honest and forthcoming with information and tell you like it is. They don’t over-inflate anything to make you think you have the next star. I have found everything they say to be above board and accurate. I haven’t been caught off guard or gotten any unpleasant surprises. It is rare in this industry to find so much experience under one roof. I give Barbizon of Akron and Pro-Model and Talent my highest recommendation to all my friends and those who I meet on a daily basis. This is a great Training Center and Model - Talent Agency with which you can feel proud to be associated.

Do you feel training is important to become a model or actor?

Melissa: Education is the most important tool and training is vital to be proficient in any field. You can’t take one class or attend one conference and expect to be knowledgeable in your craft. It doesn’t matter what industry or profession you work in; training is an ongoing process. Barbizon is the starting point for coming into this industry and can give you the necessary training to open the doors of opportunity, but if you don’t continue to train and stay current in your career field, that door will quickly close. Modeling and acting are no different than any other market such as computers or medicine. If you aren’t out there training and learning the newest programs or procedures, then you are setting yourself up for failure. Success isn’t given; it is earned through training and wanting to be the best you can be. Barbizon of Akron puts you on that path; what you do after that depends on you.

Would the training at Barbizon of Akron help people even if they didn't want go into modeling and/or acting?

Melissa: Most definitely—Yes. Regardless of whether you pursue modeling or acting the training at Barbizon of Akron will help you in your everyday life and in other careers. Barbizon covers areas and details you would never focus on yourself. How you present yourself in today’s society, regardless of your age, says a whole lot about you. Barbizon of Akron can literally give you a competitive edge that can help you in any field.

What would you say to someone who thinks they do not need training to succeed in a modeling or acting career?

Melissa: I would recommend to anyone who wants to be a model or actor that they take all the training that they can before they hit the streets of Ohio, Los Angeles, or New York. Like any career, you have to be trained to be competitive, and you must maintain training to stay in the game. I can say with total confidence that it is NOT possible to have a career as a model or actor if you don’t train. The first thing any employer looks for on a resume is education. What has this person done to make him or herself more competitive? You must develop the mind set of this as a career, which requires growth and development at all stages of advancement. That also means sacrifice and investment. There is an expense to anything you do to further your education, but also know there is a reward for those who commit, excel, and achieve success. If you didn’t know that you need a resume/knowledge/skills for this field of work, then you have a lot more homework to do than you think.

Did people tell you not to attend Barbizon of Akron and/or list with Pro-Model and Talent Management?

Melissa: Yes, many people said it was far-fetched and they were quite negative. However, we were never misled and nothing was promised, except great training, which we received. None of those negative people say anything to us now. They were obviously wrong, and we are thankful that we did not listen to them, as we would not be where we are today. I firmly believe some of the negative people were just jealous that my children were pursuing their dreams.

Melissa, are your children working and earning money?

Melissa: Yes, when we lived in Los Angeles, people would ask me that all the time and they were always amazed on how much work our girls had done in less than a year. When my one daughter was seven years old she made a minimum of $135.00 an hour for print work, with a day rate of $2,500.00. Everything the girls did in Los Angeles paid really well. It blew us away the first time my then-seven-year-old made $10,000.00 in one month; How many seven-year-olds have a Roth IRA, a 529 College Fund, a savings account, and as we call it: ‘Her cookie money fund’? Not many, I venture. Without training you can’t compete. My girls and others with training will leave you in the dust. Since returning to Ohio we are continuing to stay busy. Madison is refreshing on her training, and has been booked for numerous assignments through Pro-Model and Talent locally, including commercials for the Akron Zoo and Hillcrest Hospitals inaddition to a photoshoot with Suarez; all fun and well paying.