"The toughest thing in modeling is doing the runway," Furlow says.  "There's such a premium put on height. There are a lot of designers who won't even look at a woman for their clothes that's not at least 5' 10¹¹, and extremely slender. Many of these designers don't design clothes for anyone except waif-like models and they seldom think about women of color. If you want to be a success you've got to be willing to do commercials, print ads, as well as the runway."
    However, Furlow says that the advent of a new genre within fashion has proven a saving grace, especially for African American women and females of color. "The urban industry has shown that there's a whole other audience out there. There are great designers who've made clothes to be modeled by women who are larger than a size two. They also don't already have their minds made up when they see you coming that you can't wear their clothes if you're not a specific height."
   When not modeling, Furlow stays busy as a dental assistant. "My bosses are very supportive and understanding," Furlow says. "I'm always ripping and running, but they've been quite accommodating." It's also good Furlow has understanding bosses because thus far in her modeling career she's spent more time on the road than at home. "The bulk of my work comes outside Nashville," Furlow says. "I want to always keep a home here, but I have to network in different cities regularly, especially Miami, New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles."
    The modeling bug runs in Furlow's family. Her brother Charles is also both a model and actor. "He got an overseas gig on his first job and made a quick and easy windfall," Furlow laughs. "The employer was looking for someone who could be in a commercial and be believable in both a rap and a country setting. He just nailed it."  Furlow's desire to excel in modeling goes just beyond posing on runways or appearing in commercials. She also designs clothes, and eventually wants to become an entrepreneur with both her own business and clothing line. "I really want to go back and help as many people as I can understand and break into this business," Furlow adds. Meantime, while preparing for upcoming Titans cheerleaders tryouts, Furlow has some advice for any aspiring models. "You've got to be willing and ready to work hard and you must stay focused. Don't take any jobs without making sure to dot all the I's and check the T's in your contract.  There are a lot of scam artists out there, people who'll tell you to get on a plane and fly to some city for a job, but won't have a place for you to stay, anyone to meet you, or any money for the gig. Don't ever forget that this is not only a job and a profession, it's your life."
    Anyone who wants to hire Furlow can contact her through Everything Underground, Inc. (Indiana). You'll certainly get a topflight pro, someone whose head isn't up in the clouds, and is determined to succeed. For Features Email Cody@evun.com