Donna Benjamin-Blair, the owner of Little Adults Academy & Modelling Agency started her career in modelling at the age of seventeen years. A friend of hers had enrolled onto a course that trained people in modelling and deportment and recommended it to Donna. Donna says, “That was the best investment I ever did…investing in myself. The course helped to build my confidence to be the woman that I am today”.

During her training, she won Miss Dominica 1993 when she was only 20 years of age and did various work for companies like, Afro Hair & Beauty, The Clothes Show, The Voice, D'Vine and did modelling for hair companies and sports wear.”

Donna was then employed by the training company to work in the office but she was asked to cover for the Director, to train her children’s class in modelling. Donna loved the experience but more importantly the children loved working with Donna. Donna always has a patient approach when working with children and her main goal was and still is, to get the best out of people. She says, “The most rewarding experience has been when I have transformed a shy child to be a confident one".

Donna then decided that she wanted to spread her dream so that other children could benefit from her experience. She approached the Prince's Youth Business Trust and they helped Donna to set up Little Adults in May 1997. Opening the Agency was Donna’s dream to see other children be successful in the field. Her first clients were Nickelodeon and Freemans Catalogue and the list is now endless…working for The Bill, Eastenders, Silent Witness, COI, plus many more. After much demand, she expanded her agency to promote adults in November 2004.

Donna has many strings to her bow and in 1999 decided to enrol on a photography course. She started to take the photographs of the models to help build up their portfolio. A dear friend of her brother was diagnosed with cancer and they wanted to get married, in case he passed away quickly.   Donna was asked to photograph the wedding but as she had never done a wedding previously,  Donna donated her services free of charge and paid for all the printing costs. This was another turning point for Donna and thereafter started a successful career in Wedding Photography. So far, she has worked in the U.K., New York, Jamaica, Dominica, St. Lucia and Barbados doing weddings. Donna says “I have been truly blessed to be able to deliver a service that makes people so happy.  The feeling is overwhelming".

Donna’s advice…”I was only seventeen years when I started my dream and I am still living it today by promoting children and adults. I would never have dreamt that I would get this far but I am so thankful to my friends, family, models and clients that have supported me on my journey. I am only 5.4” and at the time, thought that modelling was only for women that were over 5.9”.  There are so many avenues in modelling and acting: Background artists, fitting sessions, photo shoots and voice-overs, which do not always require you to be very tall. If this is your dream…invest in yourself and be the best that you can either by building yourself up through a training course or by having photo shoots to build up your portfolio. Always remember that there are no guarantees regardless of what work career choice you make. There is little in this life that is free but investing in your self is priceless. Good luck and best wishes"…Donna