Have you ever fantasized about being successful at something that you believe as impossible? Through continuous efforts of not accepting no as an answer, James Richard Furlow has been able to accomplish his goals of completing his education and becoming a successful model.

James' family wis comprised of his mother, 6 sisters, and 3 brothers with James as being "the baby of the family". James was born and raised in Blytheville, Arkansas and graduated from Blytheville High School. During his school years, he didn't have an optimistic view in regards to living a joyful, loving, and successful life. His environment consisted primarily of drugs, alcohol, and violence. He was frequently teased as being the ugly duckling and treated as an untouchable. James didn't think he would benefit from life and started doing what everyone else was doing without involving his emotions.

During his freshman year in high school, he decided to play basketball, which was his first stepping stone into accomplishing the impossible. His high school basketball coach was his mentor, who instilled the importance of leadership and that he is capable of being anything that he desires as long as he gives his best effort. At James' request, he insisted for his coach to firmly discipline him. James' leadership skill was first put to the test when almost the entire team decided to quit the team one day. One by one, the players shot their free throw and walked out of the gym. Instead of following the pack, James shot his free throw and stood back in line. The next shooter threw his shot and walked back in line behind James. By the end of practice, the team was drastically downsized to only 2 players. James received recognition for his leadership by the Mayor of their town. His successful basketball career in high school was his doorway into a college education. He received a scholarship for the University of Central Arkansas.

Attending college required him to step outof his comfort zone into unknown territory where his skills of leadership were challenged. James spent the beginning of his college life isolated from his peers in his dorm room crying. For emotional strength, he stared at his mother's picture. He spent this time reflecting on his past and current life about the things that mattered to him and how he can turn his negative situation into something positive. He wanted his mom to be proud of her baby by going above and beyond his older brothers and sisters and being the first family member to attend college.

James pursued his career as a manager at Footlocker. After 3 years of employment, the opportunity for growth came knocking on his door. Modeling scouts approached James with intentions of sending him to an all expenses paid trip to New York to meet with their agency. James immediately signed a one year modeling contract. With his continuous dedication to advancing in modeling, he has accomplished numerous modeling achievements, such as magazines, calendars, books, and promotional work.

During James' modeling career, he has learned many lessons about life. He places strong emphasis on attitude. Success is not based upon our looks. Success is based upon our attitude about life. He used to believe that modeling was only for the absolutely beautiful people portrayed on our billboards and magazines. Regardless if your appearance is considered beautiful to society or not, there are some people that will be negatively judgmental towards you. Looking or acting a certain way to fit in with the popular crowd isn't the pathway to true success. Follow your heart and just be yourself. Do not accept no as an answer. If a modeling agency turns you down, then keep searching for other agencies until you have found one that will accept you. Anyone can be a model if the person's mind and heart puts in his/her best effort. His mother always told me that "good things in life do not come easy."

Tags

See All Tags (135)