PASSION, DRIVE, TECHNIQUE: The Man, The Coach, The Producer! The Savvy Event Guru sits down with Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill, Founder and Creative Director of The Stampede School of Modeling!...
The Interview:
The Savvy Event Guru: Good Afternoon Antwain how are you sir today?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: I am well, thank you.
The Savvy Event Guru: That's Wonderful😊.Well let's begin!
The Savvy Event Guru: Can I just say that it has been amazing to see your journey from the time we met in 2015 up until now!! You are truly inspirational and with that being said my first question for you is.
The Savvy Event Guru: What life changing event has inspired you to become this strong, influential entrepreneur and GIANT of a Man?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: There have been several life changing events that have built what you call, “strong and influential.” If I had to choose one, it would have to be the absence of my father. Watching my mother raise four children (three older sisters), working 3-4 jobs merely to make ends meet and put us through private schooling.
I remember wanting a male mentor, big brother, cousin, uncle, anyone just to look up to and that never happened. This resulting in me hating my father and being in competition with his absence and that drove me no where but insane. However, it did give me strength to be impactful to others and everything I wanted in a male that I didn’t receive, I ended up being that to every young boy and girl I met. I made sure that I would give my nephews someone positive to look up to and I will until I die. More in my book to come, stay ready!
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill & Family at The 2019 Asylum Fashion Show
I remember wanting a male mentor, big brother, cousin, uncle, anyone just to look up to and that never happened. This resulting in me hating my father and being in competition with his absence and that drove me no where but insane. However, it did give me strength to be impactful to others and everything I wanted in a male that I didn’t receive, I ended up being that to every young boy and girl I met. I made sure that I would give my nephews someone positive to look up to and I will until I die. More in my book to come, stay ready!
The Savvy Event Guru: WOW! AMAZING. So what it sounds like is that you used a negative in your life to fuel your drive and in return you worked hard to provide your nephews with the positive male image that you yourself yearned to have?
The Savvy Event Guru: Wow! Just amazing! And yes I can not wait for the book, please keep me posted!!!!
The Savvy Event Guru: This is very admirable. So let's begin to dig into your experience in the Fashion Industry.
The Savvy Event Guru: So in conversation, you mentioned that you used to be a model! How exciting; and I bet not many people knew this about you, because we all know you as "Coach" .
The Savvy Event Guru: At what age did you begin modeling?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: LOL. That is true that most people don’t know that I use to model professionally and world-wide. I began modeling at the tender age of 7 and walked in my first fashion show at the age of 10.
The Savvy Event Guru: Thats pretty impressive! So you had to have witnessed a number of different ways to walk or should I say "Strut" on the Runway?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: Yes very much so!
The Savvy Event Guru: What inspired you to go into the Modeling Industry as an entrepreneur and start your own modeling school, the Stamped School of Modeling and when was your school founded?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: My inspiration came when I was in the 11th grade and I wanted to begin teaching and coaching models verses being on the runway. I wanted to give to others yearning to make it in the industry, what was so selflessly given to me. So, I traveled and coached models and started Stampede School of Modeling in 2014 in Atlanta, GA.
I noticed that everyone wanted to be on a runway, but very few knew the history of modeling and what the basic techniques were. Til this day, I watch models get intimidated to work with me, because I take them to the basics, when their main priority is just to wear a garment and pose in front of a lens. One day, I hope that my lessons and the lessons of those I coach will be a pre-requisite to enter in this industry. This is my "why" behind what I do and why I started this company.
I noticed that everyone wanted to be on a runway, but very few knew the history of modeling and what the basic techniques were. Til this day, I watch models get intimidated to work with me, because I take them to the basics, when their main priority is just to wear a garment and pose in front of a lens. One day, I hope that my lessons and the lessons of those I coach will be a pre-requisite to enter in this industry. This is my "why" behind what I do and why I started this company.
The Savvy Event Guru: What would you say has been your biggest hurdle in this industry?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: First, I am happy you used the word “hurdle” in asking me this question. A hurdle is a small blockage but isn’t permanent. Secondly, a hurdle I faced while building my company was exactly what I stated in the last question. Models in this era don’t believe in training. They hear how good they are from doing one show and their head blows up instead of remaining humble and using every tool provided to "perfect" their craft. It saddens me honestly. When I opened our second location in Washington, DC, I watched models (all ages) ignore the training and focused on being seen and then I watched them fail. I am not gloating while saying that, because the last thing I want is to see anyone fail. However, if a teacher gives you a book for a class and you don’t read the chapters but show up for the exam, you can’t possibly think you will pass. That is the way I look at it.
The Savvy Event Guru: What would you say has been your biggest accomplished to date?
Great Day Washington TV Show Appearance in 2019
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: I have had several astonishing accomplishments. To me, my biggest accomplishments was the day I opened Stampede School of Modeling. I was the first Entrepreneur in my family, and I gave my cousins, siblings and elders someone to look up to. I also take pride in being selected as one of 2017 Top 35 Millennial Influencer in Washington DC as well as 2019 Best of Atlanta as a company.
Each of those things have given me a little more fuel to continue to drive this dream of mine to its destination. Each of these accomplishments has given my mother a reason to smile and allowed her to know that all her hard work, hungry days and sleepless nights didn’t go unnoticed.
Each of those things have given me a little more fuel to continue to drive this dream of mine to its destination. Each of these accomplishments has given my mother a reason to smile and allowed her to know that all her hard work, hungry days and sleepless nights didn’t go unnoticed.
The Savvy Event Guru: So what inspired you to come up with the Asylum Fashion Show series?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: Asylum Fashion Show series were designed with every person suffering a mental illness in mind. It was in 2018 that I was clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Multiple Depressive Disorder (MDD) and I knew then that the mind could be your best friend or your worst enemy and it has been both for me. This series speaks to those who have been diagnosed, know someone who has been diagnosed or judged someone who has been diagnosed. No matter what category above you, as the viewer may fall in, you will walk away with a new prospective on Mental Health. So, I took this opportunity to introduce the world to my best-friend and my worst enemy. We use fashion to illustrate the picture and the show to color in the lines and the outcome will produce a beautiful masterpiece.
The Savvy Event Guru: I love the way that you put that " Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy." I believe the first step in any process is acknowledgment. Once you acknowledge something then you are better able to work through what you are experiencing. In turn you become better equipped to help others who experience a similar situation.
The Savvy Event Guru: In so many words, how would you describe your journey of being an entrepreneur & show producer?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: My journey has been hell, but it has also been as beautiful as a full blossomed sunflower. I didn’t go in this journey expecting all great days, and I am glad I didn’t. I have failed, I have been unable to pay my staff, I have been unable to pay the mortgage on our building, to pay the rent in the building we occupy and even unable to get out of bed some days. However, I would not take any of it back. It has given me the strength to stand before my models and be the example that some of them never get to see. I have lost staff members due to betrayal and deceit all while smiling in my face. I have watched people turn their back on me and make promises that weighed more than they could carry. I also have watched the sun rise after the rain. I have witnessed lives being changed, models being asked to model in Paris Fashion Week, parents crying because we gave their most prized possession a way out when they thought there wasn’t one. I know this journey is far from over but if it was to end right here and right now, I would smile knowing that God is pleased with my stamina and resilience.
The Savvy Event Guru: Wow! Sounds like you've had a beautiful journey in and throughout the process of building, creating and growing your business.
The Savvy Event Guru: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a model?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: The advice I would give to an inspiring, an intermediate or professional model would be all the same… don’t ever get too “big” where you forget why you first started your craft. Remember that when you hear the word, “no” it's only short for “don’t stop!”
The Savvy Event Guru: What words of advice would you give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: The words I would give to someone wanting to be an Entrepreneur would be simple. I would simply inform them to buckle their laces and get ready to stumble, crack, fall, bend and crinkle but just don’t break. Utilize every resource before you and don’t take “no” for an answer. Invest in yourself, you are your biggest supporter!
The Savvy Event Guru: Great advice, I love it!!! Now as entrepreneurs we will always encounter those people who give off negative vibes.
The Savvy Event Guru: How would you advise someone to respond when dealing with difficult people in this industry?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: I laughed when I read this question, lol. I laughed because I think we as a human race and especially artist can be so sensitive at times, we forget that we can not control what others say nor do but we can completely control our response to them both. I often read post on social media where people think they must respond to everything when in all reality, silence can be the best response right after their action of doing what God designed them to do. It’s ok to ignore ignorance but it’s not ok to give someone authority over your peace mentally.
The Savvy Event Guru: Omgosh you NAILED that response!! Thank you!
The Savvy Event Guru: So what’s next for the Stampede School of Modeling?
Mr. Antwain Donte Hill: I honestly couldn’t tell you what’s next for Stampede School of Modeling besides changing lives one runway at a time. We are in the process of planning a traveling series to speak on and STAMPEDE through Mental Health, so stay tuned…
The Savvy Event Guru: Okay well that sounds exciting! I can not wait!
The Savvy Event Guru: What's next for the Asylum Series?
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: Stampede School of Modeling is gearing for its next series under the Asylum umbrella, Asylum; 20/20 Vision #Unfiltered. We all can agree that the beginning of the year 2020 has been blurry but that doesn’t mean the vision is gone, it’s just a little blurred. We are coming stronger physically, artistically and mentally. We hope to see you at our fashion show supporting mental illness and suicide prevention in September 2020. Please check our website www.stampedeschoolofmodeling.com for all details. See you on the runway!!
The Savvy Event Guru: Fantastic! This has been a wonderful pleasure! I've had a chance to learn more about you, your journey and your business. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview!
Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill: Your very welcome! Thank you for choosing me for this interview!
The Savvy Event Guru: For More on Mr. Antwain Donte' Hill please check him out on Facebook "Antwain Donte Hill" on Instagram as @Fashionghuru. For more information on Stampede School of Modeling check them out on Facebook, Instagram @stampedemodels and on their website at www.stampedeschoolofmodeling.com
For More from The Savvy Event Guru check out Our website at www.thesavvyeventguru.com and also check us out on THE SAVVY EVENT GURU YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-Ya14sTzPi-1qzz3BSSWQ
Photo by Ms. Jackie Hicks, Make-up by Letitia Thornhill
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