The Business Of Modelling

Marie Owen, founder and CEO of LS Productions, a Scotland-based production company working across advertising, film and content. She has built the business into one of the UK’s leading production companies, delivering campaigns both nationally and internationally.

In this episode, Marie talks about how LS Productions was built, starting without all the answers and learning through hands-on experience across as the business grew. She shares the realities of working in production, including the level of organisation required, the pace of the industry and the responsibility of managing complex shoots with multiple moving parts.
Marie reflects on working closely with agencies, brands and talent, and explains the role production plays in delivering a campaign from concept through to shoot. She discusses the importance of clear communication, strong relationships and practical decision-making, particularly when working under pressure and tight timelines on live productions.

Alongside this, she speaks about leadership and building a team, highlighting how a successful production company relies on the people within it rather than any one individual. She also touches on knowing when to say no, protecting standards and maintaining a strong culture as the business grows.

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk
www.lsproductions.com
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Lili Johnson and Melissa McConnachie are fashion models represented by Colours Model Agency in Glasgow who began their careers in Scotland before moving into international fashion markets. Both were scouted at a young age and gradually built their experience working across editorial, e-commerce and fashion weeks, gaining experience with a wide range of designers and brands.

In this episode, they talk about the early stages of their careers and the realities of starting out in fashion, including the first nerves on shoots and the pressure of being part of castings and shows. They reflect on how their work has developed over time, working with brands such as Zara, Simone Rocha, JW Anderson, Ted Baker, Selfridges and Burberry.

Lili and Melissa discuss the role their mother agency Colours has played in supporting their careers, explaining how guidance from agents and having a strong relationship with them is so essential. They share an honest insight about rejection, confidence and the importance of patience whilst modelling.

Alongside this, they reflect on the friendships that form between models and the importance of having a supportive network in an industry that can often feel fast-paced and unpredictable. Their conversation highlights how modelling careers are rarely linear, and how resilience, perspective and trust in the process are essential for building a sustainable career in fashion.

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk
www.coloursagency.com
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Jason Hall reflects on growing up in Edinburgh and entering hairdressing as a teenager, initially drawn to the energy and personality of the job before discovering discipling and structure it truly requires. What began as traditional salon training developed into a career spanning more than four decades, combining technical precision with fashion-led creativity.

In this episode, he speaks about building his reputation within international session styling and fashion week teams, working across London, Milan, Paris and New York. Along the way he has contributed to shows and creative projects for designers including John Galliano, Thom Browne, Yohji Yamamoto and Rick Owens, as well as major productions such as Tommy Hilfiger's TommyLand in Los Angeles. He reflects on the reality of backstage environments, the pace and pressure of shows, and the mentors who shaped his approach to creative hair.

Jason is open about early setbacks and learning on the job, from felling out of his depth on his first major show to developing the confidence needed to lead large backstage teams. He also discusses how standards across the industry have changed over time, with education, social media and global fashion coverage raising the level of both stylists and client expectations.

Alongside his international work, Jason has continued to run a successful salon business in Edinburgh, balancing loyal clients at home with the demands of session styling. His perspective on success has evolved from ambition and expansion to consistency, loyalty and enjoying the work itself. Throughout the conversation, one theme runs clearly: lasting careers in hair are built through resilience, strong relationships and a commitment to continually improving your craft.

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk
www.jasonhallhairdressing.com
www.coloursagency.com

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Rosalynd Ramage and Alison Bruce, co-founders of Colours Model Agency in Scotland talk about how they met on modelling jobs in their early years, which then lead to building an agency up together with their similar sense of humour and confidence

In this episode, they reflect on what the modelling landscape in Scotland looked like when they began in a market that was far more Scotland-centric than it is today. While the industry changed around them, their outlook was always bigger and constantly thinking beyond Glasgow and positioning their talent for London and international opportunities.
They are open about decision-making in partnerships and learning to trust their instinct rather than second guessing it. Their insight shows success not only as a scale but also maintaining a people-first culture and continuing to protect the values the agency was founded on.

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk
www.coloursagency.com
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Bailey Frances offers a perspective shaped by experience on both sides of the audition room. After 12 years working as a dancer and model, she transitioned into casting, bringing with her a performer’s understanding of pressure, comparison and rejection. Having entered the industry young and without a strong grasp of the business side, she reflects on how much of her early focus was on being talented, rather than understanding how decisions are made.

In this episode, Bailey explains what performers often don’t see: that rejection is rarely personal, that shortlisting is already a sign you are right for the role, and that many final decisions come down to practical factors outside an actor’s control. She speaks openly about how easy it is to compare yourself to others, especially online, and why focusing on small wins and long-term progress is essential in a competitive industry.

Drawing on her casting experience, she breaks down what truly makes someone memorable: professionalism on set, collaboration with agents, commitment in self-tapes and understanding your unique selling point. Her insight reframes casting not as a mysterious gatekeeping process, but as a collaborative, human one where attitude, reliability and self-awareness often matter just as much as performance.

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk
www.shakyradowlingcasting.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.