Ema \ HerSTORY

Rare Beauty.
Exceptional Talent.

“Exotica Modeling Agency is a labor of PURE love,” Founder Angela Engram explains. “Love for the beauty industry, love for the fashion industry, and love for my inspiration, my muse, my daughter—Porscha.” Engram says people would stop her constantly to compliment her daughter’s rare, unique, exotic beauty—hence the name of the modeling agency. They always said to her, “You should be a model.” Engram said. Co-founder Porscha was 5’2 and certainly too short to be a model, however she and her mother were drawn to everything about the business and spent countless hours engaged in all aspects of the fashion, modeling and the beauty world. When the entrepreneurial bug finally bit Engram, Porscha said, “Mom let’s start a modeling agency.” She went on to explain, “There are beautiful people in small towns that just need exposure and an opportunity.” And the rest is history or in this case, HERstory!

Engram’s first photo shoot for the original Exotica Modeling website featured her children and she worked with a well-known Atlanta photographer. When the photo shoot wrapped, the photographer complimented her on the models and asked where she got her talent. Engram proudly explained to him that they were her children. Porscha and her son, Tony, graced the landing page of the original Exotica website for five years.

As Engram’s business partner, Porscha helped lay the foundation for Exotica and coached many of the children and adult models as well as her mother. Engram eventually partnered with a very good friend, Dede Carlisle, who came on board and helped elevate Exotica in all aspects. Dede had outstanding work ethics and she, too, had a love for the modeling industry.

Tragically, Porscha and Dede, who both battled breast cancer, were called to heaven within months of each other. “There are no words to express the hurt and sense of loss I felt,” Engram said. “I never thought I could come back to Exotica and the sadness didn’t overshadow the love for the business.” Engram took a sabbatical from the business before courageously deciding to continue the legacy of cultivating Rare Beauty and Exceptional Talent.

Engram exclaims, “Thanks to people like my new business partner, Piper Stevenson, family member and marketing guru Marcus Johnson, the love of God and loyal models and fans—Exotica continues to rise!!! Amen.”