“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, as tomorrow won’t offer more time than today. Take that leap with courage in your heart, and craft your own extraordinary story of success. One step at a time.”
Shreyaa Sumi is an international model, entrepreneur, and mentor who treats fashion as a platform for purpose. She moves between runways in Los Angeles, New York, and Paris and runs SSVJ Model Media LLC in the United States, a company she founded to make representation more intentional and more inclusive.
Born in India and now based in the US, she built a career from scratch through persistence, training, and a clear sense of identity. Academic training in international business, filmmaking, and audio engineering sits alongside an honorary doctorate in media and fashion and the title of Mrs Universe Asia USA 2022, all of which inform her work at the intersection of creativity and commerce.
SSVJ Model Media
SSVJ Model Media is both a production house and a talent ecosystem. The company produces editorial shoots, commercial campaigns, and short films while also mentoring emerging models and pageant talent. Each project is designed to tell a story and to give the people in front of the camera a path to lasting careers.
Shreyaa places equal weight on craft and care, teaching young talent how to present themselves, build professional discipline, and navigate an industry that often values image over substance. Her work is global in outlook and personal in approach. SSVJ Model Media works with brands and publications across continents while keeping mentorship local and hands-on. She says,
“Here, creatives aren’t just cast—they’re cultivated. Behind every shoot is a story. Behind every model, a mission. We don’t just create content; we build legacies. Empowerment isn’t a tagline for us; it’s our infrastructure.”
The Inspiration
Shreyaa’s inspiration came from the intersection of craft and a market gap. She trained in international business and learned filmmaking and audio engineering, which gave her both a creative eye and the technical skills to make her ideas sing. Early internships at TV and radio taught her about storytelling.
Over the years, she realised that talent was everywhere, but the pathways to professional careers were scarce. Young models had promise, but not the mentorship, systems, or publishing platforms to turn promise into a sustainable life.
That gap became the spark. She realised the industry needed a platform that combined production quality, global reach, and hands-on guidance. So she built one. SSVJ Model Media is the practical answer to a simple belief that visibility should come with responsibility. She adds,
“More than a business, it’s a platform where individuals are empowered to shine, share their stories, and establish their presence in the global media and fashion landscape.”
SSVJ Model Media is different because it is not a talent platform that trades moments for likes. It builds careers, one thoughtful project at a time. Moreover, she ensures that diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the company. She asserts,
“My media campaigns resonate globally because they honor local voices and avoid one-size-fits-all messaging. I lead with originality over imitation and collaboration over competition. My only competition is who I was yesterday. I’m committed to evolving, building a legacy, and refining my own unique journey.”
Rocky Road
Shreyaa met the industry’s glamour with a stubbornly practical mind. Early on, she realised that visibility alone does not build a career; it needs structure, mentorship, and dependable opportunities. Turning that insight into a functioning company meant learning the unglamorous parts of business while still performing on global runways.
Her achievements are proof of a career built on craft, mentorship, and measured visibility. Shreyaa is immensely proud that she holds the Mrs Universe Asia USA 2022 title and received an honorary doctorate in media and fashion for her contributions to the industry.
Her other achievements include walking major international runways, including Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, and collaborating with more than fifty global brands across campaigns, editorials, and commercials.
Her work has reached mass audiences through global billboard campaigns and high-visibility editorial placements. She was also recognised with the Asia’s Women of Influence lifetime achievement award for sustained leadership and impact in fashion and media.
Moreover, she has built a mentorship ecosystem that trains and launches talent, and she runs pageant directorships that create international opportunities for contestants.
The Next Frontier
“At the heart of everything I do is a mission to build a lasting legacy—one that empowers others to dream big, break barriers, and redefine success on their own terms.”
As for what’s next, Shreyaa wants to scale SSVJ Model Media with quiet intent. She plans to grow the company’s publishing and production wings, launch new creative ventures, and deepen the mentorship ecosystem that sits at the heart of the business. She also plans to expand globally, choosing each project for its potential to create lasting careers rather than momentary visibility.
On the ground, that means building stronger production capability, investing in premium editorial and film projects, and rolling out programmes that train and place new talent. She will expand pageant directorships and international partnerships so more contestants get meaningful exposure and steady opportunities. Technology will support the work, not replace it, with digital publishing, distribution, and curated campaigns that reach new markets while retaining a human touch.
“My every step forward is driven by purpose, fueled by innovation, and anchored in the highest ideals. For me, progress isn’t just about big leaps—it’s found in the present moment. What you have now was once a dream, so celebrate it. I believe the future is shaped by today’s choices, which is why I give my best to each moment.”
With a head full of dreams for her future, Shreyaa shares some of the lessons she learned over the years.
She believes that true success isn’t just about achievements. It’s about the courage to begin, the connections we nurture, and the consistency we uphold. As she signs off, her message to budding entrepreneurs is,
“Dare to dream boldly, take fearless risks, and surround yourself with people who elevate your vision. The road may be uncertain, but passion and perseverance will always light the way.”
