She’s Pretty and Saved: Meet Arica Pretress Quinn

Born in Inkster, Michigan, and raised in Colorado, Arica Pretress Quinn is a modelpreneur, published author, certified Transformation Coach, and National Pageant Queen, earning titles such as Ms. All World Beauties Elite US 2021.

Like too many youngsters, Arica experienced sexual abuse as a child, teen, and young adult. She channeled the strength she gained from her painful past into the worlds of modeling and pageantry, finally feeling beautiful, worthy, strong, and capable.

Determined to help others heal as she had, Arica even became a Certified Transformational Life Coach, International Certified Specialist in Anger Management, and an ordained minister, crafting the motto “You can not change what you will tolerate, but you can tolerate the changes you choose to make.” She prepared the quote, “The beauty is not that the caterpillar turns into the butterfly. The beauty is that the butterfly can never go back to being the caterpillar. “

And this beauty, known as the Lady of Equity model, has rocked the runways of numerous top designers at events such as Africa Fashion Show Denver, Beauty is Everywhere, BeautifulYou_FashionTour, Black Pearl Entertainment, Denver Unique Week of Fashion, International Fashion Show of Denver, Life of Fashion Fashion Show, Taste of Color Fashion Show, and even the world-famous New York Fashion Week!

Arica is also very popular with the press, gracing the pages of Talk Pageants Magazine, Prestige Models Magazine, Katana Magazine, Lipstik Magazine, Couture La Rouge Magazine, and Flux Magazine.
And Arica fully understands the power of the written word to make even more of an impact!

This dynamic diva is the proud author of fourteen books, all aimed toward helping others overcome their past trauma, such as Breaking The Silence After Trauma: 7 Keys To Regaining Your Voice (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GV7F882), The Transformational Planner: Transforming My Life One Page At A Time (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RB1D7WF), and most recently, FEAR FACTOR: How To Create Habits to Conquer Your Fear (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K1RXFQX), the first in an 8-part series on transforming the trauma of sexual abuse into power.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Arica to discuss faith and business and what is next for her ministry.

What motivated you to start your own business?
I went through a transformational journey of self-discovery and finding my voice after overcoming and understanding the trauma I had lived with for over 40 years as a sexual abuse survivor. It was through becoming an author and model and walking into pageantry that I found myself. I wanted to create a way to merge all three of these areas to reach other women and coach them, empower them, and set them on their journey of transformation. So after trying to figure out how to accomplish this, I went through the Dream Jumpstart Program with the Dream Queen Erial Ramsey in January of 2023, and in February 2023, Prestige Agency was born.

Tell us about starting your brand; what did the beginning stages entail for you?
My brand, now a part of my business, is called Lady of Equity. This came about when I first experienced my first time as a new, wet, behind-the-ears model at New York Fashion Week in September 2021. I was asked by a photographer who I was, and, in the middle of me talking about myself, he stopped me and said, “Miss, you are not just a plus-size model; there is so much more to you than your size. You are a Lady of Equity.” When I asked him what he meant, he said, “By definition, you are a woman of superior social position, especially one of noble birth. You are God’s child, a royal priesthood. And you are valuable and have worth that will ignite others to reach their potential.” This is how and why my brand was created.

Tell us about your books; what message remains valid throughout all fourteen books?
As an author, I write in 2 spaces; Urban Romance and Self Help. The underlying message in my writings is that as individuals, especially women, we are more than the trauma and challenges we face. We don’t have to live in the false world that we are only as good as where we are. We are powerful, strong, resilient, and necessary. So get up, do the work to find yourself, and transform.

What role does your faith play in your business?
I would not even be where I am right now without God. He gave the vision and provided the provisions for everything aligned with this business. Even when it seems things are not flourishing in my sight, when I look through His eyes, I see the process and can keep pushing forward. I pray over this business and everyone who will come into contact with me through Prestige Agency that our connection and interaction will cause us both to grow, transform and be better because of our interaction.

How do you balance entrepreneurship and Faith?
It is not a balance but a permanency that God is at the helm of. Faith without works is dead, and without Faith, it is impossible to please God. So, it’s simple; without my Faith in God, there would be no Prestige Agency, Lady of Equity, or any other entrepreneurial venture I may embark upon.

What has been your biggest lesson thus far in your faith walk?
Learning to navigate my life without my brother, who was taken from me by someone else, and my mother, who passed away from a broken heart over the loss of her son, both in 2022. I have had to reposition and realign my faith in God and walk to get through each day.

How do you remain focused during the difficult moments of entrepreneurship?
I have my prayer life and the word of God. I also have an amazing small intimate group of support around me. They help keep me grounded and focused, reminding me of how important my truth is and how much I am needed to impact the lives of others.

What is next for you; where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?
I look forward to completing five book collaboration projects through the Prestige Agency. My new venture as Editor-in-Chief of Sitigirl Magazine Nashville will be a top sought-after publication, and my Caterpillar to Butterfly Transformation Coaching and Queen 2 Queen Coaching programs will have impacted the lives of at least 500 women. With Lady of Equity, I look forward to creating my wig, T-shirt, and cosmetic lines.

What advice would you give to other faith-based entrepreneurs?
God created you with a specific blueprint/design. No one can be you but you. It doesn’t matter that someone may be doing the same business as you because specific people are attached to your purpose that only you can reach. So stop comparing yourself to the other fish in the sea and focus on the power and ability that is in you. Transform and become who you were meant to be in the journey. “The beauty is not that the caterpillar turns into the butterfly; the beauty is that the butterfly can never return to being the caterpillar.”

Connect Online:

Website: https://ladyofequity.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyofequity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyofequity/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyofequity52