MP: Well I got discovered around 2001. It was random. I went to a Phat Farm casting with a friend and long story short, I got chosen and he didn’t.

VE: Sucks to be your friend lol. How did you know that modeling was right for you?

MP: I knew it was my calling was when I did my first job and I saw the check amount. I said “Ok, this is where I need to be.” Lol.

VE: Did you and your family always believe that you would be a success at modeling?

MP: My family always supported me as I made my decisions. They never once stopped me from anything. They always pushed me.

VE: I’ve been told by many male models that the industry for men is 10x harder than it is for women. Would you agree with that statement?

MP: For male models it’s not that bad. I think women models feel it more because it’s more emotional for them than it is for us. I’ve heard it all before “You’re too big, fat, skinny, ugly, tall.” Man I’ve heard it all and yet I never stopped. Now those same people are like “when are we gonna work together?” I’m like hell no! But you know… I kill them with kindness.

VE: True story lol. What is your ethnic background?

MP: I’m from Paterson, NJ and my parents are from Dominican Republic. So for all who don’t know I’m Dominican.

VE: Do you think that has any part to play in the types or amount of modeling
jobs you get?

MP: No, they always think I’m black, but I really don’t care what they type me as because I know who I am. The jobs I get are from my own personality and people always seem to notice me for that. It’s never about my ethnicity so that’s a good thing.

VE: What do you consider some of your biggest accomplishments to date?

MP: Tearing down barriers that they said I couldn’t. That’s why Jay-Z’s song “So Ambitious” is my favorite track because I know what he means.

VE: Essence.com model of the week. How does that feel?

MP: I feel overwhelmed. They shined their light on me because they understand a brother is just trying to better himself, that’s all. And by doing so, I’m just positive at all times. Even though I’ve been through hell and back, I’m great. And yes I’m very much single looking for my queen….where are you? I’m ready. Hello!

VE: Lol. Any fun facts or interesting things about you that want to share?

MP: I’m a damn clown. I love to make people laugh at all times. Everyone that knows me knows that. I do a lot of “ya mother” jokes. But hey, I grew up on In Living Color so I always got a dirty dozen.

VE: What projects are you working on or you want to get into?

MP: Acting. I’m attending school this fall so I will be focusing on that. Modeling will always be my first love so I will continue working and pushing on that.

VE: Where can people reach you online?

MP: You can find me on twitter.com/Mperdomo23 or myspace.com/Miguelperdomo23 or facebook. I’m also on seanjohn.com

VE: Who is Allyson Leak?

Ally: Hmmm. Allyson Leak is a humble, sweet, creative person that genuinely wants to give back and help others…I know it’s story book but it’s me lol.

VE: Tell us how your blog she-blogs.com and your jewelry line Ally Marie are an extension of who you are as a person.

Ally: Well I guess I will start with the blog. My blog is dedicated to inspiring women to reach for their dreams and to help guide them to leading a happy life….and that’s me. I adore helping people. If I was rich I would do consulting for free and just help people. The blog makes me happy! My jewelry line is my baby. The line is an eclectic mix of pieces. I use Swarovski crystals, precious stones, wood and glass to create my jewels. I get inspired from nature. I feel like the jewels are a part of me because they are a creative expression I came up with…which is usually inspired by some aspect of nature.

VE: Define your blog for us, and what makes it different from all the other blogs out there?

Ally: My blog is a place of positive energy. Whether you are having a good week or a bad week, the blog is a place where you can find inspirational interviews with female entrepreneurs and artists, beauty and fashion tips, and articles on spiritual awareness and healthy eating. It is like a holistic approach to being happy. I love dong it!

VE: Is this what you envisioned yourself doing since you were younger?

Ally: I have had so many different things I wanted to do over the years but I always figured that I may have a career in writing because as a kid I always wrote short stories, journaled, and made plays that I would perform in front of my grandparents etc.

VE: What’s the most aggravating part of your career?

Ally: Lack of funds… I mean being an entrepreneur is hard in that sense because every extra dime I make I put back into my endeavors. But it’s all good because I figure if I tough it out for a few years then it will all pay off…literally

VE: LOL Don’t I know it! What has been your biggest obstacle so far?

Ally: Hmmmm I have had many. I would say two things. Making the decision a few years ago to leave my 9 to 5 to pursue my jewelry designing and the second is planning my she-blogs launch event.

VE: What was the most rewarding moment in your career so far?

Ally: My most rewarding moment in my career for my blog is my launch party that I had this past July. It was a testament of all of my hard work. But on a smaller (not less important) note I also really appreciate when my she-blogs readers send me encouraging emails. I don’t think they know how much that inspires me to keep going.

My biggest moments for my jewelry are when Alicia Keys wore my necklace and when I was a jewelry sponsor for the 2008 Fashion Rocks awards in NYC.

VE: Your event was at Saks Fifth Ave, not an easy feat. Tell us a little about planning that out, the process, outcome and all.

Ally: Ohhh Boy! It was sooo hard!!! I am not gonna lie. I swear I didn’t sleep and had back pain from stress for like two months but in the end it worked out great! Well I didn’t already know anyone at Saks (people always ask that.) I went to a reception at Saks after I left a summit at the United Nations about a year ago and when I walked in I thought to myself “I am going to have an event here.” I didn’t know how or for what but I just could feel that I would. So fast forward a year later, I knew I wanted to do an official blog launch event so when I started brainstorming about venues I remembered Saks. I literally went to the corporate website and emailed everyone LOL and a woman got back to me. I set up a meeting and basically told them about my site and what it stood for and they were on board and so supportive. The rest was executed perfectly because I had a great team Nicole Newsum (amazing publicist), Chantal DeSoto (marketing genius), and a few other friends and family members that helped along the way. The end result was a true blessing. My site gained more recognition and I got to meet some of the most amazing people and learn some of the best lessons along the way!

VE: You had some big names come out to show support. Name drop a little and how did it feel for them to come out and support your event?

Ally: LOL You are funny. I am not a name dropper but for the sake of the question–Free was the host. The speakers were Beverly Bond (who also DJed that night), Michaela Angela Davis (Cultural Critic), Lauren Lake (HGTV host/Author, and Merble Reagon (Executive Director of the women’s center). I felt absolutely honored that these women believed in what I do enough to share their time and wisdom with me and the people that attended my event. I feel blessed. But to be honest I think what keeps be ridiculously humble is that it never feels real. It might not make any sense but there is something inside me that is so happy about my accomplishments and so thankful for those that help me but everything still feels surreal.

VE: And I noticed you rocked one of your jewelry pieces at the event. You’re a full on branding machine huh? LOL

Ally: LOL you know it boo! I always wear my jewelry unless I have to run out the house real quick or unless I am in sweats and even then I just might LOL.

VE: LOL! You were on an episode of Run’s House correct? What was that experience like?

Ally: It was fun because I got to see what reality TV is all about plus I got to meet some cool people from MTV that I have stayed in touch with.

VE: You’ve had some notable successes, but at what point will you consider yourself successful?

Ally: Hmmmm. I think yesterday I would have said “Well maybe when I own my own boutique” or “When my blog reaches 1 million readers.”

But today I will say that I am already successful. It didn’t hit me until recently. When I started receiving emails and even some voicemails form she-blogs readers about how I (little ole me) inspired them to change their lives or motivated them to be bold and do what they had never done before. It made me realize that success for me means when you get to a point in your life where you are bold enough to reach for your dreams and you can figure out a way, through your creativity to help better the lives of others.

But I do have many more projects I am currently working on/want to achieve in the near future like my book that I am writing.

VE: Nice! We’re moving.

Ally: And I just want to say “Thank you” Rondel for giving me the opportunity to grace the pages of Vitalize Entertainment. Your company, creativity, and drive are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

VE: ALL SMILES

www.she-blogs.com

www.allymarie.com

BB: So tell our readers what exactly Chris Leeann Boutique is.  

CLB: Chris Leeann Boutique is an online store for stylish fashionistas everywhere!

BB: How did you come up with the name Chris Leeann?   

CLB: Well Christopher is my baby brother’s middle name and Leeann is part of my middle name, so I put the two together and came up with Chris Leeann.  I felt it necessary to have it partly named after my brother because he has definitely been a driving force for me since he’s been born.  I want him to grow up knowing that anything is possible and he as well can some day own his own company.  I want him to know that he can be amazing at whatever he wants to do.  But most importantly I want him to know how much I love him.  

BB: Howww special! *LOL* I’m sure your baby bro will be inspired by that.  I like to think of the Noteworthy section of our site as like career day for students gearing up for the real world, and even for adults thinking of a career change.  Describe a typical work day for you. 

 CLB: I start with me checking my emails for orders and other correspondences.  Shipping out any orders that I’ve received for the day, tracking inventory orders for the upcoming season, visiting showrooms and following up on other business deals. 

 BB: Sounds busy! What is the best/most rewarding part of your running your company? 

 CLB: When people purchase something from me and they call or send me a message about how much they loved it!  It makes me feel like my job was done.  I get really excited when I hear that!

 BB: Cool, and what’s something about your career that you could do without? 

 CLB: Stress of course.  Who wouldn’t want to eliminate that? 

 BB: *LOL* Let us know an example of something stressful that might go down?

 CLB: Ugh, sometimes I have to tell the people I do business with to kick rocks *LOL*.  Like this shopping party I’m about to have in a few days, the makeup artist is such a flake and cancelled a few days ago.  It’s also hard to be a young black female entrepreneur and gain respect from people.  So many people want to take you for a joke.

 BB: So why did you want to start a clothing boutique anyway? There are so many others out there. What do you provide that makes Chris Leeann stand out among the pack? 

 CLB: I knew from an early age that I was going to retire from my career by 40 and open up a boutique. Well, one day I decided I didn’t want to wait until I was retired and 40, so I decided to open my store online.  What makes Chris Leeann Boutique different from the rest is that it’s a fun, visually appealing, easy to navigate online boutique that inspires creativity and provides all fashionistas with red carpet shopping treatment through our premier customer service.  I and put the emphasis on CUSTOMER SERVICE! Customers can reach me personally via phone or email with questions and concerns.  I always respond back within a timely manner via email and I’m always available by phone during the given hours that are provided on the site.  I also keep the site original by working with a lot of new up and coming designers where their looks aren’t replicated and repeated.  Everyone wants to be exclusive and separated from the rest. Chris Leeann Boutique offers that to their clientele.  

 BB: True, nothing worse than not being able to reach a representative at a company after you spent $ with them.  It’s like buying a gift for your boo and then they don’t wanna pick up the phone *LOL* 

CLB: *LOL* Right! 

BB: How long have you been working in the fashion game?   

CLB: Not to sound cocky…well what the heck, I would like to say from the moment I could dress myself.  I’d like to say that I am responsible for/and made contributions to some trends throughout the years. *LOL* I’m kidding, sort of. *LMAO* I’ve been styling since I was in college while working for the high end department store, Nordstrom.   

BB: What trends do you see coming up for Fall 09 for women?  

CLB: Military Jackets for sure, Riding boots and ankle boots will still be in, and whatever else you see me wearing in a few months. *LOL*  

BB: Where’s the future of Chris Leeann Boutique?  

CLB: A household name among all fashionistas.  I see Chris Leeann Boutique growing beyond an online site and eventually I will have a store front.  The possibilities are endless!

http://www.chrisleeannboutique.com/

SASS, CLASS, SPUNK and FUNK!