CEO Dawn Martin Discusses the Modeling Industry and How She Empowers Women

How did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I first got involved in the modeling industry at the age of 12 in San Francisco, California. I had always wanted to model and my idols were Beverly Johnson and Iman. My mother told me that if I maintained my grades that she would send me to Barbizon; so I did and that was the beginning of a 27 year streak in the industry.

What were the ups and downs of transitioning from a standard size model to a plus size model?
It was very difficult for me to transition from a standard size model to a plus size model simply because I had been so small all of my life. Even after the birth of my son, I went back down to a size 8. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid disease at the age of 28, and at that time, I was having these fainting spells that the doctors thought was seizure activity. The doctors put me on a steroid type medication and I gained over 60 lbs. in about 6 months. I was so very depressed with my new look, and if it had not been for the group I was modeling with to keep encouraging me to continue modeling, I probably would have quit. Several people that attended our annual fashion show came to me, and said, "I have always loved to watch you model as a small girl, but you are so uplifting as a plus model." I couldn't believe that, but it made me change the way I performed and the way I thought about myself. From that day forward, I helped develop the plus models in our group, and the Divas have been RUNWAY STEPPIN' every since.

What is the purpose of Just Dazzlind Productions?
The purpose of Just Dazzlind Productions is to empower and uplift the full figured woman and teenage young lady.