Today we’d like to introduce you to Raymond LaPietra.
Raymond , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was a model and entertainer (some in my family were) growing up. I quit my corporate career (after 7+ years) and went into business for myself in 1982, opening my first model and talent agency in the Midwest. With explosive growth, early on and steadily, I at one point owned and operated (5) five model agencies at the same time. One agency in New York, another in Florida, and three in Kansas City. I also owned a sound and video production company and a fashion magazine, and I had interests in numerous other businesses.
My first model agency, Career Images Model & Talent Agency, Inc., www.careerimages.com is still successfully operating today with over 42 years in business, making my agency the “longest-running” model agency in the entire Midwest. Career Images has done business in 48 U.S. states and 29 foreign countries. I also own and operate a consulting company, I am a public speaker and a published author. I consider my success and longevity to be a result of my honesty in business, genuinely helping others to achieve and become successful, and because I do so much more for my clients than what is agreed to and expected. It is my opinion that exceptionalism is best demonstrated by performing services with “points of difference” that my competitors don’t do. Competing with myself based upon an elevated standard I set, always allows me to outperform others. I understand the most-favorite radio station most people listen to…WIIFM (what’s in it for me), and with my focus on the needs of others and their interests, I get what I want by helping others to get what they want. It is a simple philosophy and it has proven to work, especially in an industry full of selfish and disingenuous players.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, it was extremely difficult to make a name for my agency and establish a recognizable footprint in the competitive modeling and fashion industry. In 1982, when I started my first model agency, Career Images, I had to compete with 3 other well-established modeling agencies, two that were in business for over 20 years and a third that was in business for over 40 years.
I was so full of ambition and determination, being young enough to have much to prove, that I took no prisoners in grabbing market share and client base. I did everything my competitors did and so much more. By going the extra mile I was referred to as “an agent that really got things done” and had the moniker of being a “concierge agent and agency” by offering perks that you did not get with most agencies. Examples include, my prepaying my models before I got payment from my clients, driving some models to and from castings and bookings, attending bookings and helping my models and clients with operational details, and being available and accessible 24/7. I built genuine relationships with my models, clients, photographers, etc., and elevated myself to profound prosperity and success. Being consistent and working 80 to 100 hours a week, allowed me to gouge myself into the industry and be a force to be acknowledged.
We’ve been impressed with Career Images Model & Talent Agency, Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Career Images Model & Talent Agency, Inc. is the longest-running model agency in the Midwest, with over 42 years in business. Career Images IS NOT a modeling school, rather, we are a full-service model agency that only makes money through earned commissions, if and when paid bookings are provided to the model. Career Images represents models, actors, entertainers, pageant title holders, celebrities, look-a-like and tribute artists, and more. Part of what sets my agency apart from other agencies is my “hands-on” approach, making myself fully available to my models and clients. I also coach and develop models showing them the right path to achieving their goals.
I am most proud of my reputation for really caring about my models and clients and demonstrating behaviors that prove this to be true. I believe that prosperity is having the things that money can buy, and success is having the things money cannot buy. After fulfilling my appetite for prosperity, I then matured enough to seek success. With prosperity there is satisfaction, but with success there is fulfillment. I have found playing the “long game” and operating with a philosophy of “legacy” is the wisest road to take. Most businesses are profit-oriented and I have always been people-oriented. I believe that relationship success lasts longer than transactional success. You can’t talk me out of this belief, because I have empirical proof that this belief is valid.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Starting any new business is always a risk, so yes I am a risk taker. I willfully quit my corporate career, earning a large 6-digit figure with profit-sharing, full benefits, paid vacations, a retirement fund that most would envy, and various other impressive perks. I knew that if I stayed with the corporation I had worked with for 7+ years, I would be selling myself short. By going into business for myself, the sky was the limit and I could achieve so much more. I answered the question, “Why umpire when I could play ball” by leaping from predictable and safe, to uncertainty but no limits. I had enough self-respect to not let a corporation or any person define my success, rather, I was willing to stretch my muscles and explore seeing just how far I could go. I wanted to be the author of my success and I was willing to write that book.
It turned out well for me, with exponential achievements, but more importantly, with my achieving so much more. I wanted prosperity and I wanted success as well. Heck, I even wanted the box it came and I was not going to stop until I had both. I can honestly say, that being wealthy is a lot better than not being wealthy, after having grown up poor. Each of us is created with greatness baked into our DNA and if we can dream it…we can achieve it!
Pricing:
- My charging prices are flexible to meet the unique needs of my clients.
- Sometimes, I will discount my prices to get the client and then enjoy a long-term exchange of business values.
- Quality is always affordable.
- Often, I invest in my models and clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.careerimages.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careerimages/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raymond.l.lapietra
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-lapietra-3b91587/
