By: Arta Ghanbari

Having spent most of his adolescence in Saudi Arabia, Farhan Zaidi was always taught to build a legacy. Developing an interest in theatre at a young age, Zaidi took part in several satellite commercials, where he familiarized himself with the workings of the talent industry. However it wasn’t acting that took his heart. Zaidi found a niche in the talent industry, which was to fill the shortfalls he was noticing in the market in terms of how the majority of agencies were running their businesses. After pursuing to earn his university degree, Zaidi quickly realized that it was not the way he wanted to launch his career. Soon after, he moved to Canada, and began to build his legacy in the talent industry. Zaidi is currently living in Toronto, where he is the owner of 10-year-old MoroTalents, an agency in the city’s fashion district. He and his wife Sakina, launched Fashion Weekly two years ago, and recently made additions to their family with two children. Recently, we had a chance to catch up with the busy business man, husband and father for an interview.

AG: What was it about the fashion and entertainment industry that captivated you?

FZ: Once upon a time I used to do theatre. I got lucky and did some satellite commercials, and for me I realized that there’s a niche in the market in terms of what 98% of the industry is up to. I realized whatever short falls they had, picked up on them, and wanted to make a niche where representation would become something of a real service rather than what it is at the moment. I had to go out of the box. I’ve always been taught to have a legacy or to have something that makes you stand out, and so I pursued to make a change.

AG: What advice would you give to beginners entering the talent industry?

FZ: To stay out of the box. There’s a commercial print side to modeling and the talent side of acting. What do they want? Girls over five foot and eight inches, a certain weight, shape of the eye, hair, and a lot of other characteristics. I would tell people you know what, understand and look at yourself in the mirror. We’re not trying to put your ambition down. We all know this is not a short term industry. If you speak to some of the biggest talents, they’ll tell you it took them many years to get their foot in the door. But then there`s commercial print modeling that opens up the door because you can be the girl next door, the TD bank girl, gorgeous or average. Sometimes we need to take the time and say hold on, I need to grow, hold I need to take a break, and smart people will do it at the right time.

FZ: Personality, people skills, customer service skills and outgoing people. I do not tend to go for people over size twelve. This is what we want? Is this person workable? Can I have a relationship where I can trust them over a long-term, rather than a short-term?

AG: What are some of your future goals?

FZ: For us to become the number one talent management company in Canada. We want to beat all the traditions out there, and at the same time represent some big names. In the last five years, I’ve focused more on clientele, and my next goal is to expand and get 300 – 400 talents (the company currently has 107).

AG: What inspires you?

FZ: My culture, my history and being known as an underdog inspires me to become number one. When people say no to me, I say why not. When people say listen, this isn’t possible, I say everything is possible if you try. I believe there is a way of doing things without negotiating your morals. I run a socially conscious company where it is about custom made representation.

AG: What do you predict as the future of this industry after the credit crunch of the last two years?

FZ: The credit crunch actually gives us a positive change because people stop purchasing the big tickets and start spending on small tickets, and therefore we get more ticket sales, more marketing and more jobs. The Canadian market in the last five years has developed a lot. Now we have 20-30 Canadian productions like Falcon Beach, The Fringe, The Border and other big shows.

AG: What has been your best experience during the last 10 years at Moro Talents?

FZ: My best experience has been to see that I’m able to support, represent, and get some of the biggest clients out there without having to follow these undemocratic rules and regulations put up by bogus associations. That’s what made me smile and that’s what gave me the hope to see potential for the industry to change.

AG: How would you say fashion influences people?

FZ: When I’m dressed up in my suits, I feel a little more confident and good about myself. Fashion now is the way we eat, talk and walk. Fashion gives me an up boost. I want the Canadian fashion industry to grow and for the government to provide funding for our artists, designers, and industry people, but sadly that’s not the case. Its beginning but slow and steady.

After a heated discussion about the industry, Zaidi wanted to leave readers with a message.

“I feel that Sakina and I can conquer the world and take on any project and make it work. I’m very proud and happy in seeing where Fashion Weekly has come to. Watch out for Fashion weekly and Moro Talents.”