Amanda van Wezel: The Visionary Behind TVM Models’ Success
Amanda van Wezel, the dynamic CEO of TVM Models, stands as a trailblazer in the modeling industry. With her keen eye for talent and passion for empowering individuals, Amanda has transformed TVM Models into a renowned name in fashion and entertainment. Her leadership reflects not just business acumen but also a deep commitment to fostering creativity and diversity.
In this exclusive interview, Amanda shares her journey of founding TVM Models, driven by a vision to help models become the best version of themselves. Her agency’s emphasis on training, innovation, and inclusivity has set it apart from the competition, creating a culture where passion thrives and dreams come true.
Amanda dives into the challenges and triumphs of running a global talent agency, offering insights into her strategies for navigating the ever-changing landscape of fashion and entertainment. She also discusses how TVM Models empowers women, embraces technology, and champions diversity, paving the way for a more inclusive industry.
As she looks toward the future, Amanda outlines her goals for TVM Models and reflects on the legacy she aims to leave as a leader. Discover the inspiring story behind Amanda van Wezel and the values driving her agency to international acclaim.
TVM Models & TVM Events (www.tvm-models.com)
Amanda van Wezel @amandavanwezel
1. TVM Models has become a recognized name in the modeling industry. What inspired you to start this agency?
The reason i started this agency is because i want to make a diffrence in the modelling industry, i want to show that real people function as great models too, and they create an more healty mental healt enviromend for the people looking at the icons. I strongly believe in improvement, this is somehting in the industry that should be improved. Besides that, i love to see people grow, chase dreams and work hard for it. I love to see how people are growing to become the best versions of themselves. And that is why i keep on going, no matter what. This is what gives me energy, the fact that i can coach such amazing people with each a diffrent story and goal, and help them reach many of thos dreams and goals. That is the best thing in life for me.
2. As a CEO, how do you balance leadership responsibilities with the demands of running a dynamic talent agency?
I realise that as the CEO of an agency, the things i do and say really matter. I realise that with every statement i give, i give of a sign. I am always well aware of what i am saying and escpecially how i say them. I findt it important that nobody gets hurts by my words, and that people are being inspired instead of demotivated. By the quote i live by: YES YOU CAN, i try to communicate this the right way.Also i am very close to my models, but i realise that i’m not always a friend, sometimes i have to be a boss. My people know me, and trust me, because i know that i have two roles in any kind of situation. After all, i’m a human too
3. What unique qualities do TVM Models bring to the modeling world compared to other agencies?
We listen to our models, instead of decide for our models. The people who are a part of our TVM Family or want to be, have specific goals they wanna reach, and a diffrent level of experience. We work on the experience together, and we listen to de goals and make steps towards it. We also are a place to be able to grow, make a mistake, learn from it an then grow. I think it is beautyifull, and it sepperates us form other agency’s.
4. Can you share the core values that drive TVM Models and how they shape your business strategies?
Improve, Grow, Dream, Yes You Can and diversity. I think have told alot already of how TVM Models works. Our business strategies are based on the dreams of our models and the question: How do we make this possible?
5. How do you foster a culture of passion and motivation within your agency?
Absolutely, this is our main thing, if you’re not passionete of motivativaded enough, you will not get through all the no’s- you get. Because they could be quite demotivating. But togheter as a family with such amazing people we grow, and keep on being motivated with eachoter, because we help eachother.
6. What strategies does TVM Models use to prepare models for the challenges of the fashion and entertainment industries?
We create situations most likely as in the high-fashion industry which ofcourse is hard, we have a trustperson if things get hard, we have open communication with our models in many staps along the road. We have events, runways, our Pro Model Class and more to make them ready for the hard world we call modeling
7. TVM Models emphasizes training models to «become what they want to be.» How does this philosophy influence your operational approach?
Become a model has diffrent explenations, you can be allround, runwaymodel, handmodel, campaignmodel, fashionmodel, etc. We listen to our people and hear out their dreams, even if they have nothing to do with modeling.
For example: Our Personal Growth Coach once said in a TVM-Teambuildingday that she had a dream to become an personal growth coach. I head it, I tried to find ways to make it possible, now she combines it very well!
The fact that there’s a place to grow, make dreams possible, and live up to your own standarts instead of the company’s standarts is what drives us with our approach
8. What do you look for when scouting new talent to join TVM Models?
Passion, Motiviation and precision. I like people do what they are told because then know it wil help them grow. I know that passion makes all the hard no’s- in the industry dragable because you need this passion to stay confident, i know htat motivation is needed because without a strong dosis of motivation you’ll not reach your goals and precision because if you do what you are told, on time, i know you will make it, because if the world asks you anything, and you doubt to long, you will not get the opportunity anymore because someone else said yes before you.
9. As a business leader, what challenges have you faced in the modeling industry, and how have you overcome them?
I faced many challenges, our biggest on is the fact that we do not have the regular sized models, but we step outsite the size restriqtuions to make a movement on the mental health of all our our watchers.
10. How does TVM Models address diversity and inclusion within the modeling world?
We have diverse models, with any size, age, culture, and each and every one of our m odels is treated the right way. We do not make a diffrence on age or black-and-white, or young and old, we make a diffrence on how people look at us. Because all of our beautifull models create a diffrent area of people who they reach, and the more people we reach, the bigger our movement will be.
11. What role does technology and social media play in the success of TVM Models, and how do you stay ahead in this area?
Everything nowadays is online, you need a netwerk, you need fast connections and that is how technology plays a roll. AI is one of my biggest fears. What if AI Takes over many people their dreams? Because it creates already the perfect campaing without even using real people.
12. How do you ensure that TVM Models maintains a balance between local presence and international aspirations?
I believe that we think big, but as we love our dutch culture, we will always stay grounded. I train my people to not let get succes in their head, so they stay who they are no matter if they go local and international. Our people are real people. No star-alures
13. What’s the most important piece of advice you give to women aspiring to start their own businesses?
JUST DO IT! and no matter who tells you that you can not lead as a woman, show them YES YOU CAN. And remember: It does not have to be a succes at first, the founder of Apple had many unsuccesfull businesses before it had Apple.
14. As a CEO, how do you measure the success of TVM Models both as a business and as a talent agency?
We keep track of anything that happens in our agency, due statistics and figures we have a close look on our succes-rate, in talent, modeling, every side-thing that we do + Our model happnies wich was recentle set on 4,8/5 stars! #amazing
15. What do you believe is the biggest misconception about the modeling industry, and how does TVM Models challenge it?
‘’Modeling is easy’’ because modeling is not easy, modeling means; Strong body, train and workout to keep your looks great, keep your mental health straight, do poses that are increadibly have but look like laying on the couch, you need to stay motivated and in shape at ANY time. You need to constantly be aware of your boundries and know how to set them. Modeling is hard work, and modeling is the most amazing job i could find at the same time.
16. Empowering women is a major theme of Leading Ladies Magazine. How does your work contribute to the empowerment of women in business and modeling?
Being a succesfull female leader and continue what i’m doing along the way is maybe how i empower and inspire other woman to chase their dreams. Yes You Can and Improve Yourself are based on it. If you don’t try, you’ll never know.
17. Looking ahead, what are your goals for TVM Models in the next five years?
We want to go international in the next 5 years, expand our team with a couple of more peole who make their dream come true. We would like to make a diffrence in the high-fashion/couture industry with our people and most of al: Keep having fun at what we do.
18. Finally, what legacy do you hope to leave as the CEO of TVM Models and a role model for women in leadership?
I hope that i inspire others to become who they want to be, that i show that that no matter who you are, what you are or where you come form, succesful or unsuccesfull start in life, poor or rich, isolated or a big network around you, If you work hard, you will get there! Believe in yourself and keep on believing. Be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them, and do what you love because it wil keep you motivated.
Sincerly,
Amanda van Wezel
CEO TVM Models
Interview with Amanda van Wezel by Jaime William Mostacero Baca
Jaime William & Leading Ladies – Amanda van Wezel
