Check Out Marqel Wills’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marqel Wills

Hi Marqel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Wassup! My name is Marqel Wills, I’m a Model/Content creator from KCMO. It all started during my time delivering furniture for Ford Storage aka Nebraska Furniture Mart. I would hear from a lot of older women that I looked like a model and that I should get into it. So one day my friend Chris George and I were driving around and he was telling me how he had just got signed by his moms friend who owned The Next Paige Agency and I mentioned how I was interested in getting into it as well. A couple days went by and I dm’d an old friend named Hannah Debock and asked her how she got into it and what steps I could take to get into it. She then sent me a casting call to a Kansas City Fashion show and that’s where it all started.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not everything has been easy, for example I started my modeling career by never getting rejected from a casting and then I finally got rejected by Kritique and I was definitely hurt but I knew it had to happen at some point. Always remember rejection is never a bad thing, it just means you belong elsewhere! The greatest struggle in this industry in our city is us as models are rarely compensated for our hard work. Whether it’s a show or a photo shoot, we deserve compensation. Another struggle is our modeling pool being so small, everyone knows each other, so it can be a good and a bad thing. I feel we need more diversity such as more male models. The easiest part has definitely been being able to be myself at all times. Everyone always encourages me to be myself in whatever event i’m in, that way I can showcase not only their brand but my skills and why they choose me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a content creator @JustChillKell on instagram, I create different types of reels for an amazing audience I like to call the chillers. I love my supporters so much they really have helped me in my journey so much. I started by making get ready with me videos and the more I posted those the more entertaining and engaging they would get. I started to take advice from the supporters that were most engaging. Once I became consistent at being consistent I started tapping into my creativity by watching a lot of family guy to help me create videos that were relatable but also funny and mind blowing. Recently I’ve been posting my campaign for Best Male model for the KCPC Awards and some basketball content to reach more people. I’m so excited and proud of myself because i’ve came so far and have grown so much since first starting. My why is to inspire others to be themselves and do what they want in life. The only person that can control your life is yourself. The way I think and operate is what sets me apart from others. There is not one person in kansas city who takes this as serious as me and that’s why I will make it out.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
To find a mentor you have to surround yourself with people who inspire you and are better than you at what you do. Of course you want to be the best but there’s always someone better. Someone who is a professional at what they do will never make fun of you for trying, so try and fail and ask as many questions as possible. My mentor is my guy Jordon Delehant, he’s helped me grow as a model and better myself as a person. As for networking you just have to stop being scared to talk to people. Mostly everyone has something to say to you, it just depends on how and what you ask them to keep them around. You also need to be serious about what you’re asking them. People can read you and determine if you’re on bs or not. So be genuine!

Pricing:

• $50 an hour or $150 for anything under 2 hours

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justchillkell?igsh=b2Z0d2JzaDFjNmow&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@justchillkell?si=s9ZN09mzc5QDNwZS