Plus-sized supermodel and entrepreneur Emme speaks to students about entrepreneurship and motivation in Hornbake Library.
Melissa “Emme” Aronson wasn’t always comfortable with what has since become her trademark. As one of the first plus-sized supermodels, she struggled with pressures from her family and the fashion industry.
Now, however, Aronson’s “brand” is staying healthy, not skinny, a topic she took on in “Using Social Media to Brand Your Image.” The workshop, sponsored by the behavioral and social sciences college,was meant primarily for students enrolled in BSOS 338D: Career Paths for Business Entrepreneurs, but students from other departments were also among the 30 Aronson spoke to last night in Hornbake Library.
Aronson said her family prevented her from considering modeling early on; her mother was a “goddess”; her stepbrother struggled with bulimia, and her stepfather told her she needed to lose weight. When Aronson was 12, her stepfather made her strip down to her underwear so he could draw circles on areas where he wanted her to lose weight, an experience she said deeply affected her.
“He didn’t want me to be fat like him,” she said.
Aronson was happily surprised, however, when she first heard about interest in models who were 5 feet 10 inches and a size 12 or larger. As a former rower with an athletic scholarship to Syracuse University, Aronson said she was bigger than the average girl and called herself an “Amazonian woman,” staying in shape by working out.
Since becoming a model, Aronson has survived cancer, written several books, launched a clothing line, appeared on television shows and become an advocate for those struggling with weight and dieting. Although she admitted advocacy is easier with more money, Aronson said students shouldn’t focus on the profit of entrepreneurship.
“You have to change with the wind, but you also have to stand for something and stay consistent,” she said.
It is that philosophy that compelled her to turn down a large paycheck from a dieting pill company that wanted her to be a spokeswoman for the product. A lot of celebrities were using it, Aronson said, but she didn’t think it was healthy and didn’t want to turn her back on the brand she made for herself — a brand she helped craft using social media.
Emme’s career began before the social media era, so she had to learn to keep up with trends when outlets such as Facebook and Twitter gained popularity.
“I had no idea what the heck this was,” Aronson said of the sites. Now, however, she’s passionate about staying connected, and considers Twitter a powerful business tool. She also uploads selfies after doing her hair, or cross-country skiing, to show her fans different facets of her life.
“I want to show the sweaty, crazy athlete in me,” she said.
Steven Begleiter,s adjunct entrepreneur in residence for the behavioral and social sciences college, coordinated the event because he thought Aronson had substantial knowledge of entrepreneurship.
“I thought she was the perfect person to speak to the students,” he said.
Begleiter is also the president and CEO of KBL Group International, a global company that supplies sweaters for clothing brands and knows Aronson through the clothing industry, although he said he’s never done business with her. Begleiter was also the workshop’s moderator.
Sophomore economics major Evan Artley said he came to the event for class, but he learned a lot and admired Emme’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“It’s about how you brand yourself on your own terms, not what society wants,” he said.
