Dressed to sell

By Nicole DeCosta

The Lake Oswego Review, Mar 6, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Role model

Working at Nordstrom years ago gave Darabi an edge on her sales, she said.

“I learned that selling is not about knowing the right things to say,” she said, “it’s about being a good person.”

And the department store taught her how to juggle many tasks at once, like how she now considers real estate and modeling her professions.

Darabi started modeling when she was 16, posing for jobs that came up here and there. Four years ago, Darabi signed with the Ryan Artists talent agency in Portland and modeling took on a life of its own. Darabi has posed for Adidas, Nike, Hewlett Packard, Logitech, Intel, von natur and the clothing line Amai Unmei, which was featured on the Today show.

“It’s fun. I love being in front of the camera and feeling different personalities, because that’s what modeling is – you’re acting,” Darabi said. “It complements real estate because if there’s a shoot, I can work it around my schedule or (model) at night.”

Sometimes, photo shoots – like the one for Internet phone company Vonage – needed Darabi there in an hour to get the job. And Darabi said that if she doesn’t have an appointment scheduled, she can usually make this work. Her car is an “office on wheels,” she said.

“She just had a unique look that clients have been asking for and couldn’t get,” said Kit Garrett, fashion director at Ryan Artists.

Garrett continued, “To have somebody like her that’s so professional and stunning and accommodating (is valuable); she’s the full package. She’s punctual, professional, presentable and engaging. She’s articulate and well put together.”

What’s the best advice someone told her as she began her modeling career?

“Don’t get a nose job. Half the people told me to get a nose job, but this nose has gotten me all the ethnic jobs,” Darabi said. “I would not change to make one (modeling) client happy. I stayed true to my roots. If I change my nose, I have to change my mom’s nose, and my dad’s nose and my whole darn family. This is who I am, take it or leave it. I’m Persian.”

Recently, Darabi landed the cover of Ultimate Northwest magazine, a luxury entertainment publication printed six times a year.

“Being on the cover of a magazine is something that I never thought could happen,” Darabi said. “That was the coolest thing that’s ever happened.”

While participating in runway shows and modeling the latest fashions and accessories are fun, Darabi said she would never let it jeopardize her real estate career.

Rather, helping clients with real estate needs, meeting new people, cooking, entertaining and spending time with her husband are Darabi’s priorities.

Projecting five years out, Darabi said she wants to “play more, work less and make the same amount of money.”

“That’s it,” she continued. “And just maintain a great quality of life and balance between real estate and personal life.”

Darabi has simple, but well-defined, goals for the future.

“Just to be happy in whatever I do. I hope to someday have a family. My husband and I love kids,” Darabi said. “And just to be healthy and happy in real estate and to remember that being successful is wonderful, but being a good person, mother and wife is more important than that.”

To contact Mahsa Darabi at Windermere Realty Group, call 503-888-9040 or email mahsa@windermere.com.

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