Priscilla Katerena is a natural hair, plus size and multi-ethnic model hailing from the Los Angeles area. She's bold, beautiful and successful while juggling many hats, she maintains a positive outlook on life and attaining her future goals. I had the opportunity to chat with Priscilla about life, the modeling industry and of course, her natural hair.
Hi Priscilla, can you tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and what you do for a living?
Sure, my name is Priscilla Katerena and I am a native Southern Californian. I grew up on a tiny island in the South Pacific known as American Samoa, however, I was born in Cedar City, Utah where my parents attended college. I've lived the majority of my life in California. I come from a big family of10 brothers and sisters where I am the oldest girl (second oldest child), so that is where I get my take charge attitude from. Anyone who has worked with me will get that statement.
I graduated from Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley and then attended Riverside Community College where I played basketball for 2 years. This was one of the best times in my life playing basketball with a group of fantastic women. After getting my A.A. in Business Administration, I transferred to CSU, San Bernardino where I received my B.A. in Public Administration.
I wanted to be in a field that I would be able to help people, however, I never pursued anything in Public Administration because I found out that my true passion was in business. So fast forward to today where I have my own business, MKPR Branding Agency, a digital branding agency where we help brands with their digital imagery. One of the brands within MKPR Branding Agency is my own modeling, brand ambassador and spokeswoman brand, Priscilla Katerena. What better way to show my clients about branding then with my own brand.
What is a typical day like in Priscilla’s shoes? A typical day consists of working my 9-5 job which is where the money comes from to invest in my own businesses. I then come home to work on my company and brand. As an entrepreneur, you'll learn that things aren't handed to you and that at times you'll have to work a regular job in order to support yourself and your dreams; it's called grinding.
We just finished up an extensive website design project for my client Bron'tai Fashion and Image Consulting at MKPR Branding Agency. I also work closely with another company as a branding consultant called FanJudge where we are building a voting app while also building stellar worthy web content. We are currently working on a documentary for an artist by the name of Young Sam Young. While juggling all of that, I work extensively on my own brand to finalize logos, business cards, website designs, and getting myself booked as a model for various designers, runway show, and advertising campaigns. So as you can see, my days are very full however, I am BLESSED to be able to do all of this because it is what I am passionate about.
How did you get into the modeling industry? I initially got into modeling through a very good friend of mine Mesha Donyelle. I was her assistant, helping her with hair, makeup, and wardrobe back in 2009/2010. After being her assistant, we decided to partner up and create a company called Renaissance Chic Entertainment. Our mission was to help other women who were just as curvy get good paying gigs like all the other straight models. The Fashion Industry has come a long way from 2009/2010. I mean, they just featured a curvy model during New York Fashion Week. This is HUGE, literally and figuratively.
Although you’re a natural hair model, do you have clients that prefer you to wear your hair straightened for certain jobs?
I do have clients that like my hair straight, which I don't mind because it goes with their vision and as a model, I am the canvas. However, more then not my hair is curly. I consider myself natural regardless of whether my hair is straight or curly.
Natural Hair Bridal/Formal Up-do with Celebrity Natural Hair Stylist Felicia Leatherwood
Name 5 of your all-time favorite hair products. Essentious shampoo, conditioner, and deep conditioner
Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner
Patsy Girl Spritz Splash Daily Moisturizer
Alikay Naturals Creme Brulee Curling Delight & Knots be gone detangler
Prom & Formal Up-do Styles for Natural Hair with Celebrity Natural Hair Stylist Felicia Leatherwood
What is your favorite hair style? All natural free style curly Afro! Wearing all my hair out after a two-strand twist or a Bantu knot.
In the last few years, there has been an influx in women returning to their natural hair textures. Why do you think this is so?
I think it's become very trendy to be natural therefore the acceptance of it has increased. I thinks it's WONDERFUL that the support is available for women to feel comfortable to return to their natural hair texture. It's never a bad thing when you begin to accept yourself. What was your most embarrassing hair style? When I was in 4th grade, I would wear my bangs short. It wasn't cute at all but it was trendy then to wear them out.
Have you ever had to deal with a client that was rude about your hair texture? I've never had to deal with a client that was rude about my hair. I am usually booked because my hair is curly so at night I make the necessary preparation to ensure that my hair the day of the shoot has defined curls that the client themselves can alter or leave as is.
What advice would you give to another woman that may be interested in getting into plus size or natural hair modeling? Network HEAVILY with other women who are a part of the plus size or natural hair community in your area. As you network, make sure to support and attend fashion shows so you can become familiar with the industry. Then, begin to attend casting calls and build your portfolio.
Complete the sentence with Priscilla Katerena: Natural hair is freedom once you let it be. If I didn’t have patience my hair would be unhealthy.
In five years, I plan: ... on expanding MKPR Branding Agency as a full-service agency while mentoring other women entrepreneurs on how to expand their brand. I also plan on being an author, a speaker, and traveling all over the world with my brand, Priscilla Katerena.
Special thanks to you Priscilla for taking the time to share your story, best of luck in everything that you do! You guys can keep up with Priscilla here:
Facebook 
Twitter 
LinkedIn 
Flickr 
Instagram
