The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Transitions
Appearing on ‘Insight’ on television network SBS, Monique takes every opportunity to promote the pathways she has created that celebrate the true value of diversity and inclusion.
Representation reimagined – setting new standards for diversity and inclusion
Diversity matters because it reshapes the stories we tell about ourselves and each other. Representation isn’t just symbolic – it changes who gets to be seen, heard, and celebrated. When people from different cultural backgrounds, with varied abilities and life experiences step into spaces that once excluded them, it expands what is possible for all of us. In industries like fashion, where images have long defined aspirations, and ideals, diversity challenges what were once incredibly narrow and unrealistic standards and creates important spaces for a more inclusive vision of presence, authenticity, equality, and humanity.
Monique Jeremiah is passionate about creating new opportunities for people who identify as living with a disability to succeed and enjoy meaningful employment through the world of modelling. Monique (who is based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia), set out to become a champion for diversity and inclusion because of her own experiences of what it feels like to be marginalised and never given a chance to fulfil her dreams of modelling.
“I was always considered too diverse for the other modelling agencies,” Monique tells The Solo Traveller. “So, in my younger years, I focused on developing my entrepreneurial, marketing, and public relations (PR) skills to harness my commercial acumen. When I was ready to truly make my mark on society, I created the most unique modelling agency and modelling and deportment school in Australia to break expectations and create the path for success for diverse models and models with disabilities who had the same dreams as me.”
What kind of work takes you on the road?
I am the founder and leader of Diversity Models and Diversity Models Academy. Diversity Models is Australia’s very first modelling agency for models who identify as living with a disability. We are also the very first National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Registered Provider of its kind in Australia. We lead the pack by innovating and going against all odds to create employment and media opportunities. We recruit and cast disability models for marketing campaigns in the lifestyle, government, NDIS, healthcare, property and travel industries.
Diversity Models Academy is the modelling and deportment school that socially and strategically nurtures, trains, and mentors people with disabilities to be successful as models and build their self-confidence and community participation. Our headquarters is on the Gold Coast, but we operate nationally.
Diversity Models and Diversity Models Academy are my passion ventures, and I am living the dream running two purposeful ventures that defied the modelling industry and combined my love of marketing, PR, media, modelling, recruitment, and education to change society.
(Left): Visiting Western Australia – one of the many stops along the way to building my national modelling agency; and Diversity Models is a proud sponsor of the national 7 News Young Achievers Awards.
How do you balance the demands of work with the opportunities for personal exploration?
I am committed to starting work each day at 6.00am and working however long it takes for me to achieve my daily goals to maximise my productivity. I travel all around Australia almost every week between, currently, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, and Sydney. I do this as I meet and photograph our new models, supervise commercial shoots, attend networking events to build industry relationships, and model when I am suitable for projects.
I balance this demand by always creating a quality work/life balance by staying in good hotels, always eating well, and exercising when I can. In a way I am a working holiday tourist each day and each week. My life is never mundane, and I thrive working in beautiful locations with plenty of work variety. My non-negotiable is that I will always only do what I love.
Are there habits or rituals that keep you grounded, healthy, and well when you're travelling for work?
Every day I wake up at 5.00am and my workday starts with stretching or swimming and listening to business education on YouTube to learn new skills. Once I leave home, I drink one coffee per day in a different café, enjoy lunch in a beautiful restaurant, an afternoon drink (non-alcoholic) in a trendy bar, and then dinner is a snack in my hotel or at home. In between working on my laptop from everywhere I can, I will take a break before dinner by walking around cities, going shopping, or doing something physical that helps to relax my mind and enjoy everywhere I travel (before I do a little marketing before bed).
This ritual keeps me very grounded and creates a strong routine. If I am travelling and the hotel has a pool, I will also try to swim before work or hit the spa at the end of the day. I end my day listening to more business education to keep me sharp, knowledgeable, and inspired.
(Left): An exquisite lifestyle always starts with an equally exquisite French meal at Bistro Guillaume, my favourite French restaurant in Melbourne, Australia; and on the Sunshine Coast to onboard our new models.
What are the greatest advantages of travelling for work on your own?
The best experience is that I do not have to work around other people’s schedules. I have the absolute freedom to decide what, where, when, and how I want to work, and I have no pressure to be anywhere. I can eat when I want and live the work life that makes me happy.
… and the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge is the fatigue I sometimes feel from waking up at 3.00am for the first flight out, and the fatigue from sometimes having to take two flights to get home on the last flight if I am trying to pack in a full-on schedule. The other challenge is sometimes carrying heavy bags on my own.
Is there a city or destination that surprised you, either personally or professionally?
I absolutely love Singapore. I have modelled and worked there countless times, and I have found it is an entrepreneur’s paradise. One day I will live and work there because it is the place that makes me most happy and my heart as an entrepreneur feels alive. My background is Eurasian, so I fit in perfectly to the rich culture, food, and life experience.
Personally and professionally there is so much to see and do every day, and every aspect of the location keeps me mentally and physically stimulated always! My favourite part is the individual pockets of culture where you feel like you are in a different country in every suburb.
What is one item you never travel without?
I never travel without my Houndstooth uniform as that is my signature fashion and brand image in business. Whether it is in person or in the media, I am recognised for how many outfits I own that represent my company Diversity Models. I have a full wardrobe of Houndstooth, so half my suitcase always is filled with the design.
I always travel practically and stylishly in my signature Houndstooth.
How has solo work travel changed your perspective on your personal and professional life?
It has empowered me to be comfortable in travelling and being alone. I used to think I needed to travel with someone, however because I always combine travel and work, my trips have a purpose. I’m never bored, and I am always discovering new places, and I am comfortable in any situation.
What advice would you give to someone just starting to travel solo for work?
I always fly with Virgin Australia as they seem to be most reliable. Aim to get your points up on the Velocity Frequent Flyer program and aim to get into the Virgin Lounge as a Platinum Member, as it is a very productive environment to work. I save a lot of money eating there during my travels. It is also a place where you are around like-minded people.
(Left): Flying high to sky high success across Australia; and I rapidly flew my way to Virgin Australia's Platinum Membership, because I love the perks of the Virgin Lounge!
Have you made friends that you met while travelling that remain in your life?
I have met many new friends who first started off as business connections across all of the cities in Australia. I am very lucky to meet entrepreneurs who think alike and are in the same sector.
Monique’s top 3 tips for solo travelling success
1. Join all the loyalty programs that you can and try to maximise on points for flights and hotels and the perks. By doing this strategically, you can enjoy free buffet breakfast, executive lounges, airport lounges, canapé nights, reward flights, and discounted rooms and upgrades. This strategy will keep you flying on a healthy budget but still living the high life.
2. Book hotels in the middle of the city so you can walk around and get to know the main city of your region and rely less on public transport and travel costs. Exercise daily by walking on populated areas and enjoy the beauty of different cities.
3. Stay in minimum 4- and 5-star hotels for your own safety and go with brands you know. The quality of your hotel will dictate the quality of people you are surrounded by when you are off work duty and will influence your overall experience. Spend the money on a quality place to stay and this will help you to keep focused and happy during your travels.
You can learn more about Monique’s ‘Diversity Models’ and ‘Diversity Models Academy’ here, and you can also connect with Monique on LinkedIn here.
