CEO Liza Elliott-Ramirez of Expecting Models Agency
If you see a model that isn’t rail-thin, there’s a chance it isn’t a fluke. This is the effort of Expecting Models, Inc., the only modeling agency in the world that represents expecting and nursing mothers. Led by CEO Liza Elliot-Ramirez, 34, the company has been successful in promoting pregnant models in many magazines and to many fashion designers. The phenomenon has even sparked a television series – Runway Moms – which chronicles a model’s experiences with pregnancy (Liza helps to produce and plays a role in each episode). The success of Expecting Models has helped countless women develop and maintain positive self-esteem for their changing bodies and what they or others might view as ‘unattractive’. Find out about the agency’s work in this week’s Young & Professional Profile.
Hunter College, BA in Human Movement (prepares one to become a Physical Therapist, Exercise Physiologist or Occupational therapist), 1997
Work Experience
Fitness Model
Aerobic Instructor
Fitness Director of Bally’s Vertical Club
Personal Trainer
Host on a live shopping Network called Q2 filmed at Silvercup Studios
Ethnicity
Nuyorican-Born and raised in East Harlem. Third generation Puerto-Rican.
About the company
Expecting Models Inc. is the only talent agency in the world which represents professional models who are pregnant or nursing. Our models have graced hundreds of magazine covers and are sought after by many of today’s leading fashion designers. Expecting Models Inc. is single-handedly changing the way society views pregnant women.
“Runway Moms” is a twenty part series on Discovery Health which highlights an Expecting Model from the Runway to the delivery room.
“Stork Magazine” is being launched. Will debut urban maternity topics and maternity fashions.
What are you day-to-day responsibilities
Expecting Models:
My staff handles the following: I delegate and oversee that the tasks are for filled.
Maternity bookings/ Mom and baby bookings/ real family bookings
photographing the pregnant models for updates on the website
Keeping track of tear sheets for portfolio section of www.expectingmodels.com
Promoting new talent
communicating with maternity based clients, informing them as to who is pregnant and providing them with updated digitals of what our models look like pregnant
Appear on camera for promotional purposes. i.e. People Magazine, Latina Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, The Today Show, Good Morning America, NY1, FOX, Associated Press, Inside Edition, The Insider, Access Hollywood, The View.
Runway Moms –Sponsored by”Macys” (I am the main character)
Produce ideas for each episode
Decide which model will appear per episode
approve the footage for the show
shoot promos for the show
shoot for each episode
Stork Magazine (on line magazine)
Approve topics for the magazine
Shoot images for the respective topics
marketing ideas
approve advertising
(This magazine is being launched; hence we are in the beginning stages).
Most notable milestones
Expecting Models is the ONLY maternity modeling agency in the world.
“Runway Moms” is an international show.
What’s the niche?
Expecting Models is the only maternity modeling agency in the world where you can find over 150 pregnant models all under one roof.
What’s the biggest challenge?
Perfecting the art of multi-tasking. Fitting as much work into a day as possible.
What’s in store for the future?
This moment is my life. The future is today! I am not “trying” I’m “doing”. So I live in the moment. The future is too unrealistic. I only have today. I say this with humility.
Unexpected learnings along the way
Don’t go against your instincts. Your gut is telling you the truth. Never burn bridges. Try not to lose your cool. Practice patience.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
People with the highest intentions. Honest, kind, humble people. High achievers. People that love god. People that choose happiness. People with compassion.
Work hard. Keep your intentions aligned. Let go and do your best. Your best is right and perfect. You will never fail if you have done your best. This does not mean you will win. But at the end of the day, it’s how you played the game.
Guiding principle in life
My guiding purpose in life is God. My angels and my intuition. I love my intuition. God blessed me with the most amazing intuition. I’m lucky!
Yardstick of success
All of my accomplishments are yardsticks of success. But I’m most proud of going to college and paying for each and every class myself. I taught 16 classes of aerobics a week and worked at a gym. I had to pass some of the hardest courses.
That experience has been such preparation for all of my accomplishments of today. Any yardstick of success is to “Just do it”!
Goal yet to be achieved
Living life on life’s terms. That’s a daily grant of execution.
Best practical advice
Enjoy every moment. Hang your lessons on the wall. Learn from your mistakes!
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
“It might be right under your nose” My sister once told me.
Mentor
Oprah. She has made a difference for the world!
What motivated you to get started?
I was a model who became pregnant. There were no modeling agencies that catered to this niche market. I wanted to continue working so I became my own agent!
Like best about what you do?
I love what I do. I love being able to help women make money during their pregnancies and I love hearing positive feedback from “Runway Moms” fans. I get emails from woman saying how my show has helped them feel beautiful and accept their changing bodies!
Like least about what you do?
Hounding clients that have not paid us for our services!!!
Most memorable business experience
Sitting across from Diane Sawyer. Being interviewed by her.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A model.
What was your first job?
McDonalds. I became a Crew Chief!
Biggest pastime outside of work
I love to dance. I can dance professionally if I wanted to. I love to dance ballroom Hustle and Mambo!!! “Watch out Dancing with the stars”
Person most interested in meeting
Marc Anthony- helped me become better speaking Spanish. I practiced his lyrics and looked up words in the Spanish dictionary. I am a huge fan! He brought me back to my roots!
Leader in business most interested in meeting
Oprah. She is my power of example. I think about her when I run my business on a daily basis. I pretend I am her.
Also, Donald Trump- I learned a lot about business from his show “The Apprentice”
Three interesting facts about yourself
1. I I’m unstoppable.
2. I’m loyal.
3. I feel the fear and do it anyway!
Three characteristics that describe you
1. I put the Duracell battery to shame.
2. My family comes first.
3. I’m a Dancing Queen.
Three greatest passions
Dancing, Kissing my kids, coming up with new ideas!
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