Finding your Purpose | Christina Coleman

"Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change".

At the age of 23, who can say that they've written and published two books, has the title of Miss Glamour USA and is the CEO of a talent and creative business network for women?

Christina Coleman; born and raised in Philadelphia, has always been a determined young women who danced to the beat of her own drum. In 2016, Christina made two decisions that would alter the course of her life; deciding to leave college her senior year to start her first full time job and then resigning 5 months later. No, her parents weren't happy with her decision but she was. Working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C and living the life of luxury wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. Anyone else would have settled, but not Christina. She knew she had a lot more going for herself and she wasn't going to let school or a 9 to 5 stop her from living out her dreams of becoming a model, entrepreneur, writer and motivational speaker.

With more free time on her hands, she'd travel to and from New York City for model castings. Two weeks after she resigned from her job, she received a call back to model in Kanye West's YEEZY Season 4 NYFW show. This was a sure sign that she was on the right path in her life's journey. Christina, now living back with her parents in Philadelphia began to plan her next move. The transition wasn't going to be easy but she knew it'd be well worth it in the end.

With everything that she had been through throughout her five years of modeling thus far and the everyday struggles of being a young black women in America, she knew that there were other young women going through the same things. Young women who needed the guidance and the support that she didn't always have and she wanted to fix that. Soon enough, Model Prenur Inc. was born; a talent and creative business network that teaches women how to discover their passion and purpose in life by allowing them to feel comfortable with making their own life decisions. She also wanted to connect them with internship and job opportunities within their desired field.

Model prenur was a name that stuck with her after her parents merged the two words together to describe her drive and ambition as a model and an entrepreneur.

As her life slowly started to fall into place, the opportunities began to open up. She walked in D.C Swim Week, was featured on HERDAILY.COM and even VOGUE Magazine.

1. What made you want to take that leap of faith and quit your job to pursue a career as an entrepreneur?

I was working a great job and living in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods within DC but I was unhappy living paycheck to paycheck and did not feel fulfilled working as a real estate office manager. The spirit inside of me, my intuition, my God voice, future self however you want to call it spoke to me and said it's time for you to go. I didn't really have a plan, but I trusted that voice, put in my two weeks notice, moved back in with my parents in Philadelphia. A few weeks later I was modeling for Kanye West and had been featured on Vogue.com

2. Do you ever regret not finishing school?

I do not regret not finishing school because I never wanted to go to school in the first place. After high school, I was never really given the opportunity to explore nor asked what it was I wanted to do with my life so attending college at the time was for the sake of my family's satisfaction. However, now that I live for me and what makes me happy I am planning to return to school within the next year to finish my degree for my own feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. This experience is also a reason why I started Model Prenur Inc. a Creative Business Network for Women, to reach out to and speak to young women in high school to let them know that they have options. That college is an option and that education is important but it is equally important to live for their own happiness by starting a career based on what they are passionate about and love to do.

Model Preneur Inc. will hold events starting the Summer of 2018 in the NY, NJ, PA, MD, DC, and VA area and would love to partner with schools and women empowerment groups and organizations to reach young women ages 16-21 so that she may have the time and environment to explore what it is she wants to do with her life, discover her passions and purpose, and grow in the area of personal/professional development. Model Preneur Inc. will then connect these young women with mentors, creative, and business opportunities in her desired field(s) to further explore her interests, receive an internship, and or job position.

3. What happened in your life that showed you that you were on the right path?

After leaving my job and moving back in with my parents I went through a depression. I was living the broke artist life. I thought I had made a huge mistake, but overtime I began to appreciate starting from scratch because it provided me the space and time to really understand what I wanted to do with my life something four years ago I had never seriously questioned... and thus the idea for Model Preneur Inc. was born! I do not believe there is such a thing as the right or wrong path but everyday when I wake up and have the opportunity to do what I love to do, model, write, speak, create, travel, and inspire then I know that I am on the best path for me and my life! I feel when you can genuinely be happy, with who you are and what you are doing then you know that you are on the best path for you, which only you can decide, ultimately what that is. It took me being stripped of everything down to my pride to understand that it's not about having stuff and lots of money but life is about being happy, doing what you love to do and having people around you who genuinely love you and support you that really matters!

4. I'm sure the transition wasn't easy. What did you do to stay focused on your goals?

It's tough being a model and entrepreneur, because everything is totally dependent on you. I am thankful to have my boyfriend, supportive family and friends because they help to keep me grounded. For the past 5 years I have been a personal development junkie and am always looking for new ways to grow by reading, listening to audio books, attending seminars and talking with/learning from other entrepreneurs/business owners. I've made and continue to make a lot of sacrifice's to have created the opportunity to do what I love to do and by no means do I have it all together nor do I have it all figured out but I do know that my life is way bigger than me and my purpose is to be a blessing to others, to inspire young women, and help others get to where the want to be faster than I did or at least point them in the direction of someone who can help them. Also my dreams keep me focused, knowing that I want to travel the world as a speaker, model, and best selling author. Open arts, education, and business centers and open my own spa, fashion, and lounge boutique keeps me focused because I am the one with the vision and I know that my dreams don't work unless I do!

5. Tyra Banks or Naomi Campbell? I have to know.

I love my girl Naomi and she slays the runway but Tyra Banks hands down. She is the definition of a ModelPreneur and her decision to attend Harvard Business School inspired me to return to school to finish my degree and go for my masters. You can tell Tyra is passionate about helping women be the best that she can be and changing the idea of what beauty is within the industry to accept and respect all shapes, sizes, shades, and colors and I support that 100%. Tyra is not only beauty and body, but brains and business which I respect about her! I envision myself meeting with and having the opportunity to be mentored by Tyra Banks and Oprah Winfrey!

As Miss Glamour USA, Christina is preparing to travel to Belgium from June 26th to July 3rd to compete in the Miss Glamour International Pageant. With a positive mind and high hopes, she plans to bring home the crown to show women that they don't have to be perfect or well off to accomplish their goals.

Her platform embraces the mental health issues she struggled with throughout her transition from a full-time employee and college student to freelance model and entrepreneur. She wants to encourage other women to turn their weaknesses into strengths and use them to their advantage, similar to what she did. She wants to inspire young women and point them in the right direction so that they can find their true purpose in life.

By the end of the year, Christina plans to publish another book and travel the world pursuing her career as a model and motivational speaker. She believes in holistic education by catering to the whole person mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. Her lifetime goal is to open a business, art and technology education center continuing her grandparents, Liller and Bill Green, founders of Ivy Leaf School (est. 1965 - 2008) legacy.

Want to keep up with Christina and all her success? Be sure to follow her journey on Instagram at @christinacoleman. You can also download her book of affirmations, "Self Confidence is Self Love" for your daily dose of motivation!