Early in my unemployment experience I attended a class, it was mandatory and quite enlightening. I discovered that as a former union activist I was virtually unemployable. The rules required that I continue my job search and I did. In two years I’ve applied for nearly 800 jobs resulting one interview. Not the most encouraging result but not entirely due to my history as hundreds of others pursued the same opportunities.

So I was encouraged to consider my talents and create an enterprise. That led to Examiner.com, an online citizen reporting vehicle by the owner of the Examiner chain of newspapers. It gave me the opportunity to add to my resume and show that I could write well and productively. Examiner paid according to traffic at a little less than a penny a hit, so not exactly a living wage opportunity. Within a month I was on Fox and Friends debating the Employee Free Choice Act. It was a heady time, the kind of experience that leads one to believe he has arrived when in fact he is on the first step of his journey.

A few months later I was inspired to begin a poetry series, The Enchanted Woman, based on the concept that a beautiful woman is invisible in a crowded room as most fail to look beyond the surface to discover the layered complex beauty that lies beneath. I reached out to models whose images I found compelling on Model Mayhem asking if I may interpret their image in poetry. It was a success in the sense that they were pleased with my vision.

Over time as I became acquainted with more models, I conceived The Models Collective. A blog at first with a larger goal of building an enterprise that would be governed by models themselves. With my union and artistic sensibility, it seemed a natural and unique niche.

A month ago I create a profile on iStudio.com, a professional networking site for models, photographers, agents, publications, etc. This allowed me to test my concept and establish rapport within this network. Fate brought special attention to Asia and I planned to create a global network with models outside the U.S. The plan was to write feature articles about models adding to their portfolios a public relations tool setting them apart as unique and beautiful individuals. I believe they are in fact artists.

The blog launch was to begin with a casting call followed by an inaugural roll out featuring ten models. Then with a backlog of articles a Model of the Day concept could be consistently presented.

Then last week I lost my home. It thwarted my momentum and as I write this outside Boston I continue to strive to achieve my goal. Unfortunately my honest blogging has led some to accuse me of running a scam within the iStudio community. Maybe I have scammed myself; maybe those that asked if I would consider serving as their agent will feel duped by my optimistic plan. I offer advice and assistance and never ask for compensation only to try to build step by step without regard to income or going too far too fast.

I believe in this concept and I believe in the model’s ability to self regulate her field and assist newcomers to avoid the pitfall that come with too many opportunities but too little direction. I think my attempt to take my unique qualities and create a niche is just what an individual in my position should be doing. I didn’t expect the sudden change in my circumstances to result in such vitriol within the community. If I overreached it was out of an abundance of potential. I still have my integrity. Is my dream too good to be true or just too ambitious? Time will tell.