Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Phillips.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my obsession with the modeling business when I was about 16 years old, and nearly three decades later, I am still obsessed! Yet there have been so many changes since I was a FORD Model in the 2000’s, living in New York City, to an international Model Scout. I modeled in the era when models had to be real models, meaning that stunning standard of beauty and lean, tall bodies. The times when everyone who entered this business viewed it as a career and worked really hard to make it to the top. Nowadays talent has it so much easier in the sense they can almost create any reality they want and market their brand through their socials and turn that into a full fledge model career, it truly fascinates me. I love seeing how creators today are more in control of their own image and how they are advertised to the world. Almost like they have to be so tuned in, tapped into who they are. And the ones that ‘get it’ are the ones that are a huge success. As a model scout at one of the biggest agencies in the world, I no longer look for that leggy 16-year-old at the mall. Now I am more concerned with what their hobbies are, passions are and taking a peek at what they’re doing on their IG channel.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Now, this new model economy definitely comes with some massive struggles. Now, there are 5x as many model agencies and talent/social agencies. With so many models, it’s tough to have top working models – now everyone shares a bit of a piece of the pie. Spreading all the work so thin, how do we stand out in this oversaturated market where everyone is a model? Your moms a hot milf and your aunt is a creating comedic reels and your boyfriends a pro surfer and you sis is dancing on TikTok and you all can equally get brands endorsements and make over 100K/year all while in HS or raising a family! It’s insane how much opportunity there is, yet the normal fashion model is now the one struggling to get basic model jobs.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As this landscape only gets more exciting, new types of models, creators, gamers… there’s always one person that their jobs is to find this talent – The Model Scout. That’s me, Lisa Phillips. I find the talent, sports stars, and future stars for Select Models. I am in our Melrose office. I hold weekly Open calls at 4 pm every Tuesday so I can hear your story and I take the time to video each one of you and show my team. It’s a great way to get discovered – get scouted.
Lisa Phillips has been a Model Scout for 12 years from NY to LA, she travels to globe looking for talent. She is known for her keen eye for finding the new Model to walk the shows of Paris or an emerging influencer for popular LA brands. She does it all and has the most fun doing it. Lisa has never ending energy and a great attitude, she feels like she is living her purpose.
One of the things that excites Lisa is finding a new face and emerging star and seeing their career turn into massive success. It’s truly fulfilling for me, Lisa says. She has been in this business since she was a teenager and feels like it’s been her calling.
How do you define success?
Success is living every day with purpose, helping others, and being able to share that success with those you love. A good support system is key. You need a foundation of love but also people who hold you accountable.
If you’d like more tips on Success + Branding, Go to Lisa’s YouTube channel @modellifewithlisa
Contact Info:
- Website: Lisaphillips.LA
- Instagram: @modelscout_LisaPhillips
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5pE5AP9fC_Nb_ZDwkKQawQ
Image Credits
Let this Remain Photos
CW Dean
