Entertainment

The Modeling Industry’s Next Brazilian Star, Paula Weckerle on Her Career Path

Published

5 years ago

April 26, 2020

Paula Weckerle, who is with the prestigious The Industry agency in New York, is a true all-around model on the rise. From her diversified portfolio to her natural appeal, she stands out against a largely filter-and-filler saturated fashion world. The Brazilian beauty took some time to chat with us about her career goals and path.

Q: What do you love most about modeling and the fashion industry?

A: I like that I am able to make new connections, that so often become friends, and of course the traveling! I also love that I get to be versatile and creative; I do more fashion work and runway in the beginning of the year, and then in the second half I switch to more commercial projects, and even fitness modeling. I love being a chameleon.

Q: Who are some of your role models? Whose career do you admire in the industry, and who inspires you?

A: Cindy Crawford—I think she had an amazing career. And she was also a chameleon, doing everything from fashion to hosting. I think she’s the full package and I really admire her. I also love that she was authentic and a natural real woman, which is how models used to be, with curves and no plastic surgery, which I resonate with and find empowering for younger girls.

Q: What do you see as your highest achievement so far in your modeling career?

A: Honestly, I’ve had so many incredible clients and jobs that it’s hard to choose one. But in the beginning of my career, I got to work with a huge Brazilian designer, Arthur Caliman and it was my first big job that I still cherish because I learned so much from it. Also, being in New York Fashion Week has been incredible because it was a dream of mine when I first got into modeling.

Q: Landing which job or client would make you feel like you ‘made it’ in the industry?

A: Working with high-end fashion designers like Dior, D&G. Haute Couture brands like Zuhair Murad would be a dream come true, and for beauty, a campaign with Chanel is like the ‘top.’ And of course, being in the pages of Vogue would feel like I’ve made it.

Q: What is the main thing you want to achieve either in the business or through it, later? Is there a post-modeling goal?

A: I like to stay focused on the present; that’s my way of living. I want to do as much as I can and work as much as I can in the industry today. Instead of looking too much into the future I work on improving myself now and being fully present on my current clients and shoots. But as far as post-modeling, it would be incredible to eventually work with one the top designers I mentioned in a communications capacity or writing, as I really enjoy that.

Q: How are you responding to the pause in the industry due to the pandemic? How are you responding to the situation, and do you have any coping advice for others?

A: It’s been hard because I do not have my usual routine of working out, going to castings, and working on shoots and jobs. But I am hopeful that things will turn around soon. I’ve shifted my workout to at-home fitness, and I am finding that it is healthier to spend less time on my phone and on news outlets during this time. Instead I focus on reading, baking and working out to keep calm. I am focusing on what I can control, and that’s my advice for others too.

Entertainment

Going Public: The Groundbreaking Series Transforming How Americans Invest

Published

1 month ago

May 16, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

In a media landscape saturated with reality TV and startup showcases, Going Public stands apart, not just as a show but as a movement. Now in its third season, the interactive series invites viewers to do more than just watch entrepreneurs chase success. It gives them the tools and the opportunity to invest in startups in real time, democratizing access to early-stage funding and reshaping how ordinary Americans engage with entrepreneurship and wealth-building.

Launched by Todd M. Goldberg, a former MedTech executive who hit a frustrating wall while preparing his company for a Nasdaq IPO, Going Public was born from a moment of personal disillusionment.

“When I brought a list of interested friends and colleagues to the Chairman of the Board,” Goldberg recalls, “he explained that all the IPO shares were reserved for institutional investors. That was my epiphany. I just knew that was wrong. Regular people should have a chance to invest in IPOs, but it needed to go even further.”

That insight became the foundation for Going Public, a hybrid of entrepreneurial storytelling and financial access that offers retail investors a seat at the table usually reserved for venture capitalists and insiders. The show brings audiences inside the capital-raising journey of startups, often before they go public, and leverages a powerful innovation: its “Click-to-Invest” feature.

“The bottom line with Click-to-Invest is that it’s seamless,” says Goldberg. “Viewers can go from watching the show to literally clicking a button. It feels more like a Shopify or Amazon checkout than a traditional investment process.”

This accessibility is central to the show’s mission: to educate, inspire, and empower everyday people to participate in early-stage investing. Unlike financial news channels that target seasoned traders, Going Public merges entertainment with financial literacy, using real startup stories to highlight the risks, rewards, and realities of entrepreneurship. It’s financial content with emotional stakes, real people, and tangible outcomes.

Season 3 reflects how far the show has come and where it’s going. With more celebrity involvement, including gaming icon Ninja backing the cashew milk startup Nutcase, and a strategic partnership with the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Going Public has widened its reach while deepening its cultural relevance.

“How do you make this mainstream?” Goldberg says. “The concept was The Apprentice meets Shark Tank meets IPO, but with a twist. Viewers aren’t just spectators, they’re stakeholders.”

The show’s selection of featured companies is another defining element. Startups are chosen not just for their growth potential but also for their mission, relatability, and cultural resonance. In Season 3, that includes everything from disruptive wellness brands to tech-enabled platforms, each paired with guidance from top-tier venture capitalists and Silicon Valley mentors.

This season also introduces a livestream finale, a format innovation designed to create a real-time, high-stakes environment where viewers can watch, decide, and invest together. It adds urgency and community to the investing experience, aligning with the show’s values of transparency and participation.

One of the most surprising and meaningful outcomes has been the personal stories from viewers who never imagined themselves as investors. “We’ve heard from teachers, nurses, and even students who said this was their first time investing and they felt confident doing it because the show made it accessible,” Goldberg shares. “It’s not just about money, it’s about empowerment.”

Looking ahead, Goldberg and his team have ambitious plans. They aim to expand the format to new platforms, explore international adaptations, and build out educational tools so viewers not only invest but understand what they’re investing in. The goal isn’t just more participation. It’s smarter participation.

In a world where capital often feels distant, technical, and exclusionary, Going Public brings the financial journey down to earth and into the hands of the people. It’s not just a show. It’s a redefinition of how business stories are told and how wealth can be created and shared.