Daily Inspiration: Meet Shawna Fitzgerald

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Fitzgerald.

Hi Shawna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
Hi. I’m Shawna aka ShaMaria the Model.  I am a mother of three: Rayshaun, Makaela, and Christopher. I am also a Customer Service Representative. I started my modeling career in 2018. February 2022 made four years.

I hadn’t even realized that it’s been that long. The years went by so fast! I started modeling because I was curious. I was scrolling Facebook on a modeling page and came across a post that was looking for models. I went past it; second-guessing it, and decided to come back. I asked one question: “What does it take to become a model,” and here I am.

When I started modeling, I was 38 years old. I made my decision so late in life to start modeling because I was not aware of the opportunities that were out there, let alone for plus-size women. I also waited because I lacked the confidence to do so. I was always very photogenic. The confidence just wasn’t there. What sparked the change in me was my weight loss. I had bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve vasectomy) in September 2015.

I had gotten up to 397 lbs. I was depressed and tired. My bariatric surgery was the jumpstart into modeling. It was something that I felt that I needed at that point in my life. Someone else’s jumpstart may be going to school. Someone else’s maybe quitting that job that they have no desire to be at and follow their dreams. My surgery was a definitive start to change. Everyone’s story is different. That happens to be mine.

I’ve come to the realization that no matter what you do, whether good or bad, you are watched by people you don’t even realize. Motivation is the fact that you can make a difference in someone else’s life. I’m still at a point in my life where I inspire people without actually realizing that I am doing so. Be confident in whatever you do, even in the times when you don’t want to be. Take that chance. They can give you two answers: yes or no.

By the end of 2018, I walked in 27 fashion shows (my very first one was for Ashley Stewart clothing store in Northgate Mall in Durham, NC) became a published model, twice, did 3 stage plays, was written up in my local newspaper twice, and did countless photoshoots. In my hard work, I also became Chief Operations Officer (COO) of The HASS Entertainment Corporation in 2019, where I’m also a signed model.

As a model, actress, Influencer, and business owner, my mantra is “I Aspire to Inspire.” I aspire to inspire women that they are beautiful, intelligent, and capable of doing all the things she wants to do in life. I want to be the person to inspire women to take that leap of faith, in whatever they want to do and the decisions that they may face in life.

Sometimes we talk about taking a leap of faith in situations and we don’t always know where that would take us. Be bold. Be fearless. Take chances, and be informed. Courage isn’t the lack of confidence in one’s self. Sometimes courage is moving in spite of that fear. Nothing great comes in your comfort zone. You have to step outside or that, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Make sure you are getting out of your own way. Walk-in your truth. Stop being the weapon formed against you! How I got to where I am now was from being consistent, doing the work, and having dedication. I wanted to do all of the shows! I wanted to show myself that I could do and accomplish the goals that I set forth in front of myself. I also had a point to make; that plus-size women deserve a place in the modeling industry.

My goal is to inspire young women to aspire to do whatever greatness that they desire and to be their best selves. I wanted something that drew attention yet could bring my goal to fruition. I came across “Aspire to Inspire.” I said that’s it!!! That’s me. It wasn’t until recently that I came to the realization that aspiring to inspire others is my purpose in life.

To date, I have walked in over 70 fashion shows throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia, along with features in two online boutique websites, numerous photoshoots… not forgetting to mention being in an Indie Film, 5 stage plays – with #6 and #7 happening in the Summer of 2022

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In retrospect, the road hasn’t been all peaches and cream.

There were and still are some designers that do not cater to plus size, so it wasn’t that I was not qualified or didn’t have a great walk. It was that fact that the designers did not make the clothes that fit me, or people like me. Also, there was not a lot of plus-size representation in the industry, which made it hard to leave an imprint, initially.

My personal obstacles that I had to face??? Honestly, there wasn’t any. I didn’t have time to wait on those obstacles in life. I was always doing something.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Not only am I a model and actress with The HASS Entertainment Corporation, but I am also the Chief Operations Officer, Creative Director, Photography Assistant, as well.

I’ve also helped with co-producing numerous amounts of fashion shows, including the latest HASS production, Winter Solstice Season 1, held in November 2021. (https://www.flipsnack.com/6EEE9FAA9F7/angela-dewar-s-winter-solstice-magazine-s-1.html) where I was the cover model AND showpiece for the featured designer, LaVincient Designs.

I’m also a Sponsorship Coordinator as well as being one of the Casting Directors for The HASS Entertainment Corporation. I also assist with the onboarding process of models and guide them on the path to being professional and proficient models in the industry.

I am also the co-producer of Haute- A MidSummer’s Night’s Dream Lingerie and Couture Fashion Show and Exotic Poetry and Spoken Word Events being held June 26, 2022. For more information on that show, visit The HASS Entertainment Corporation’s Facebook page.

For bookings and pricing, send an email to thehasscorp@gmail.com

How do you define success?
Defining success?? Defining success to me means beating all of the odds that were set up for me to fail.

I would love to one day be a model for Savage X Fenty, Layne Bryant, Ashley Stewart, Calvin Klein, Versace, and other designers who are opening the door for plus-size models. Success to me also will be seeing my name in the credits of a movie, a short film on the big screen!!

Success also means to me the growth and accomplishments of those who I have and will continue to inspire while I’m here and when I’m gone. Legacy building.

Contact Info:

• Email: Shawnam.fitz@hassentertainment.com
• Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/sha_maria_the_model
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawna.fitzgerald1