Meet Bridget Halanski | CCO, Select Model Management US

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bridget Halanski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bridget, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I have been working as an agent in the modeling industry since I graduated from college. I think it is important– and quite rare– to stick with a career path and stay focused. Healthy habits I developed over the years are: making my bed every morning, keeping a consistent routine, setting boundaries, and trying to leave the office/work day with a clean inbox each day. I have a strong work ethic and won’t stop until a project is complete. I am also very competitive, which doesn’t hurt my hustle!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I’m the Chief Commercial Officer for Select Model Management in the US. I have been with the agency since we were acquired by the Select Network and I started in our Chicago office over 16 years ago. Time flies when you’re having fun! There is never a dull moment in this job, that’s for sure.

I am now based in Miami Beach full time with my husband and cat. It’s great to be back in South Florida, as I started my career here in 2005 at an agency that is no longer around. It was on Ocean Drive. (Hint Hint– they had a reality show on MTV!)

In order to get a foot in the door at an agency, you have to intern for free (college credit) and then hope they hire you as an entry level booking room assistant after killing it at your internship. This business is never easy, there are a lot of personalities and egos to navigate. I think the senior agents and directors can be really tough on new hires in the beginning. I promised myself I would never be that way, I think it’s counterproductive. However, not everyone is cut out for our industry, and you have to prove yourself (not to mention be willing to work for an extremely entry level salary in the beginning, until you start billing). In today’s world, it’s been really hard to find candidates who are willing to put in the time and effort. Agents wear many hats and need to be comfortable multi-tasking while having constant interruptions. Working around a booking table is LOUD! We get pressure on both the talent side and the client side (the brands/companies who are booking the models). It’s a constant juggle. We are in the service business, you have to love people, networking, and sales. To say I am outgoing is an understatement, so I like to say I am in the perfect role for my personality! I absolutely love connecting people. A strong interest in fashion doesn’t hurt–although it may hurt my bank account!

Some lessons I learned along the way:
Don’t be so focused on what other people think of you, just be yourself. That’s just noise. Hard work pays off and actions speak louder than words.
Have integrity, it goes a long way.
Lean on the generations younger than you, they have their finger on the pulse of what’s trending and relevant.

I pride myself on the agency having a diverse roster of all genders, ages, sizes and types while maintaining a high fashion aesthetic and serving our clients to the fullest.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I absolutely adore showing people around the Magic City! Here are some favorites and where you can spot me often–

Soho House on the beach or at the pool
On a friend’s yacht anchored out at Nixon Sandbar for the day, or an overnight stay at Elliot Key–I’m a water baby!
Casa Tua on Wednesday nights for a great Italian dinner and Karaoke in their upstairs members only lounge
Faena Living Room for some live music
Luxury shopping at the Bal Harbour Shops, finishing with lychee martinis at Makodo
Walking around Wynwood to soak in some street art at the Wynwood Walls and stop by my neighbor Peter Tunney’s gallery
I live in North Beach where there is a great beachside taco joint, Tequiza, next to the Broadmore Hotel at 73rd and Collins. It’s a local staple and the tacos and chips are second to none! My guest and I would take a stroll to Tequiza from my house down the boardwalk for lunch.
Forte Dei Marmi is a must for a fancy dinner. Get the pistachio ice cream, enough said.
I also can’t get enough of the Sunset Harbor neighborhood.. a stop by Frankie Miami or Beach Boutique, followed by a high energy boxing workout at Gotham Gym, and finish with a nibble of some spicy rigatoni at Casa Isola
Calle Ocho for a mojito and Cuban food/music. It’s such a hidden gem that shows the true culture of Miami. Lung Yai Thai in Little Havana has the most authentic thai food in the city!
If the friend is not from Florida, they are 100% trying a Pub Sub too!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my “Shoutout” to my amazing team of bookers and scouts at Select Models. We are spread out in Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, and LA, but it feels like we work beside one another every day. We bounce ideas off of each other and we inspire one another. I can honestly say that we are one of the most functioning networks because of the thoughtfulness, respect, and dedication of those individuals. I wouldn’t be where I am today without this team. A great book I recommend for business management in the entertainment industry is “Herding Tigers, Be the Leader that Creative People Need” by Todd Henry. I devoured this before I started my new position heading up the US offices for Select.

Website: www.selectmodel.com

Instagram: agentbridge

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-halanski/        

Facebook: Bridget Halanski

Other: You can follow @selectmodelmiami to see what the agency is up to as well!