Stephanie Ost has been an international model since she was 15. After working with leading magazines and brands including Marie Claire, Vogue and Roberto Cavalli, ten years later she is on the way to carving out a niche for herself in the field of fashion.
Thanks to the boost she received from winning The Big Start 2011 student entrepreneur competition that was organised by Al Tamimi Investments (ATI), she will soon start a modelling school.
The Big Start identifies final year students with a great idea for a UAE-based business and rewards winners with full funding and support from ATI to establish their business. The winner/winners will also be made CEO of the new company after they graduate.
"I believe in the movie The Secret which propounds that if you have a dream, you must picture how you are achieving that dream and if you do so, you can really make it happen," says Stephanie. "I was imagining myself at The Big Start ceremony, how I was announced as the winner, me receiving the award... I even imagined what it would be like to own and operate my company."
However, it wasn't mere imagination that got her the coveted award but a lot of hard work as well. While studying for her Bachelors Honours degree programme in Media and Communication at the Middlesex University in Dubai, Stephanie came to know of the contest and felt it held the key to her dreams of establishing a business related to her passion and career - modelling. "I immediately decided to participate. I am glad I did and today I am not worried about my future because I know I have the guidance and support of ATI," she says.
"With this agency, I think now I am in a better position to help other aspiring models with proper career management advice. We will also offer general personal development and make-over services for women who would like learn how to look good and feel confident."
"I see myself as a successful businesswoman in the coming years," she adds.
