Ever heard the expression, “Everything is big in Texas”? Well if you have, then that saying can easily apply to the Houston native by way of Ohio, Safuwra (pronounced SAH-four-rAH). The entrepreneur has her own clothing line in the works as well, and had the smarts to trademark the name. Even though she only stands at 5’2” her larger than life personality has no trouble filling a room, and you can count on the rest of her physical stature taking care of everything else.

When she first catches your eye, (and she will) it's hard to believe that she is a mother of two, but the newcomer to the modeling world first got her feet off the ground almost two years ago, and hasn’t looked back since. And as she continues to stack her resume, rest assured that the state of Texas won’t be big enough to hold her anymore.

How do you pronounce your name correctly?

SAH-four-rAH… [Laughs]

[Laughs] So where are you from?

I’m originally from Toledo, Ohio, but I’ve been here in Houston for the past 10 years. Since I was 17-years-old.  

How did you first get into modeling? Were you in school first?

I always wanted to do it, but I was just going through certain things in my life, like my mom passing away and stuff like that. Those things kind of set me back a little, but then I started my Myspace page and a lot of people started giving me atten tion from a few basic pictures I put on there. So after that, I flew out to Philadelphia and shot with this one guy, and after that I’ve been rolling. I’ve been doing it for about a year and a half now.   

How has the modeling experience been for you so far?

It’s been pretty cool, but so far all I have to say is that I have to learn the business. Everything isn’t cracked up to what it’s supposed to be. You have to learn how to be patient, you can’t be too anxious. So now I’m just taking time to really learn the business, and feel things out, and just knowing exactly where you belong is the business. 

Is there anything about it you hate?

Um, there’s nothing I really hate, it’s just that you have to know what you have, and you have to be determined, focused, and serious. A lot of models think just because they have a big butt, they can do it, NO! It’s so-so much more to it than that, like you have to work out and you have to eat right, and things like that. A lot of models have other goals and they just use this as a stepping-stone to get to somewhere else in their lives. 

How thick has your skin become since you started in this business?

Right now I feel like it’s getting better and better for me. [Laughing] I know my time is coming, and I’m getting close, so I don’t mind the waiting because I’m still learning. So just like I said, its good to know what you’re getting into, as opposed to just diving into something. Because if you do it like that, you might dive into a bunch of crap, and then you’ll be like, “Oh, I should’ve did this, this, and that.” And as for myself, I’m not really taking baby steps, but I’m slowly meeting the right people, and all that other kind of stuff. It’s all starting to come together for me.

Has anything funny or crazy happen to you on a photo shoot yet?

Actually no, because when I shoot its just me and my photographer, and just my stylist to touch me up. So I haven’t had anything crazy happen yet, so I’m blessed. [Laughing]

[Laughs] Did you ever feel self-conscious when you started taking more of the provocative photos?

No, because I love me, and I’m comfortable in my skin. I know that I look GREAT for having two little boys. I’m in shape, and I’m still young. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in.   

Do you have any set time that you want to model for? Or are you just going with the flow?

I’m kind of going with the flow, I want a lot more, but I’m also trying to be patient. This is a learning process, so as I’m progressing, I’m also meeting the right people. So I’m kind of in the waiting process, just letting everything flow. Because when everything flows, it falls into the right perspective, instead of just rushing into sh*t. The kind of woman I am, I can’t deal with all that extra stuff, I want to just go with the flow, and everything will go accordingly.  

What else are you interested in besides modeling?

Well my sister and I just got our clothing line trademarked, it’s Sugar Honey Ice Tea couture clothing, and we just got that trademarked. Right now we’re working on the line, and she’s doing a lot of sketches, and things like that. So we’re focused on that right now. My sister is really focused on that, because she knows that I’m really focusing on this modeling. And I feel once my modeling really kicks up, it’ll really help our clothing line. I think it’ll be easier for us to push it.  

What age group are you guys targeting?

It’s going to be between 25-35, really upscale and classy, something like what Beyoncé would wear. 

What’s been the toughest part of this business for you?

I would say the toughest part is just meeting the right people, and getting the right connections. Houston isn’t the best place—it’s not like New York or anything like that. Houston doesn’t have a lot of connections for modeling, and that’s why I’m always traveling. But a lot of people found me on Myspace, so I’ve done quite a few things with the people that have found me on Myspace. I’m grateful for Myspace. [Laughing]  

If you weren’t modeling, what would you be doing?

I have a license for hair, so I was doing that before I started modeling. I can always fall back on that if push comes to shove.

So what do you like to do in your spare time?

I like working out, shopping, and just basically spending time with my family. That’s about it. And yeah! And traveling, traveling is good. 

Speaking of working out, do you find it hard or easy to stay in shape?

Absolutely not. I always had an athletic build, so I never really had to do much. But after I got into the modeling, I was working out for a month straight, EVERYDAY. For at least an hour and half. And now I don’t feel right if I don’t get my day started with a work out. So that’s a part of me, and that has to be done.

Do you have any guilty pleasures you like to indulge in?

Um, I really don’t. I like to drink cocktails. [Laughing] I like to go out to a nice little spot, and have a good time, and just that type of stuff.  

[Laughing] Are you more of a Hip-Hop or R&B person?

Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop just sounds better, if you put on the right track, I’M GONNA DANCE! [Laughing]

[Laughing] Anybody out there you’re feeling right now?

Um, I’m a fan of quite a few people. But my favorite artists are 8Ball & MJG, and Bun B. Those are my favorites.

You’re really a down South girl huh?

Yeah but actually I know them personally, 8Ball, MJG, and Bun B. And I was a big fan of their music before I already knew them. So after I met them, I saw what kind of guys there were, and they’re the real deal. They’re good people.  

So are you single or taken?

Actually I’m taken.

And what does your boyfriend think of your profession?

Actually he completely wants me to focus on that, and anything I do, he supports it. From the trips, to the hair, to the shoes, to the wardrobe—just everything I do. He takes care of it. He just wants me to focus on that, because he knows I’m going to make it. So with all my time and effort, he wants me to put it into the modeling. So that’s what I do. And I’m very thankful because we’ve been together for 5 years now, and we have two little boys together. He’s very supportive, and I never thought a guy would be that way, especially in this business. So I’m very blessed and thankful.

Is it hard going between family life and modeling?

Actually no, it’s not too much because it’s pretty easy for me to juggle my kids. My kids aren’t babies, and they know what mom does. Like when I’m out of town, they know it’s all about business. So yeah, it’s pretty easy. 

Describe your ideal man?

The ideal man to me has to be professional, secure with himself, understanding, loving, and very clean. VERY-VERY clean.

In your opinion what’s the perfect date?

Do you have enough time for this one? [Laughing] Of course a fabulous dinner, the restaurant has to be wonderful, followed by a nice movie.

For more pics of Safuwra, check out Sixshot's Photo Gallery or visit http://www.myspace.com/verybodacious