THE DOWNFALL OF
RDI MODEL and TALENT
RDI Model and Talent Corporation was conceived by CEO Trevor M Goble and Director Brian Alex Markle in 2009. The conception was to change on how modeling agency conduct business. The industry is latent and plagued with unscrupulous individuals who simply tax large amounts of money and really do absolutely nothing.
Then there are those agency that will take the money and provide the minimum. RDI began with an open door concept. Allowing models to come and go, provide close and private training, link them with photographers that offer substantial savings on portfolio's.
RDI was a fun environment. From time to time RDI would have friendly competition amongst their models with cash and prizes being given away. RDI prizes would include fifty dollar sears gift cards, twenty five dollar petro canada gas cards, visa gift cards, power tools, stereo's, makeup and cash.
The most common complaint at the beginning was the location was too small and reaching someone was difficult. RDI purchased and paid for a eight thousand dollar telephone system that would easily allow our clients to get connected to a representative either live or by a simple push of a button.
Then RDI moved from the east end of Ottawa to Orleans to a moderate increase floor space where models can practice is a separate and dedicated room while business could continue to be conducted in another.
The reception area was improved by offering private seating and a cozy fireplace to give a “home” feeling. RDI then began to plan for the future by introducing an acting program.
Shannon Lawson and well known and well endorsed actress promises to bring the acting program to life. However due to commitment failures the acting program began to struggle and clients became upset with management.
Management consistently attempted to correct the problems that seemed to plague the acting program and because of such dedication to correct the modeling side of the company began to slumber resulting in clients being left to the wayside.
In an attempt to bring the model program back on track RDI brought in people to specifically deal with client service at a cost of fifty dollars per hour. For the first few months clients seemed to respond positively to the efforts and management firmly believed that the modeling program was finally getting back on track.
The acting program would then be terminated by RDI on the condition that Shannon Lawson would continue to operate the program and take full responsibility. RDI would continue to provide space to allow her to teach and provide ongoing administrative support.
Once again management believed the programs where getting back on track but the location would not allow the programs to run at the same time creating scheduling problems so the hunt for a new location took place.
RDI shifted its attention to a location that would have 2 distinct sides. RDI Model and Talent would be split into 2 businesses... MTC Ottawa (Model Training Centre) and ATC (Acting Training Centre). Management secured the location and the lease was signed.
Unfortunately after the installations of the phone lines the commencement of setting up one side it was learned that there was no permits allowing for anyone to operate a business. RDI under law had to close its doors. The new landlord would never deliver the location due to the permits not being issued until mid October.
Because of the delay and the continued and ever growing debt RDI closed its doors.
It is unfortunate that RDI couldn't continue in the direction it was struggling to achieve and today both Mr. Goble and Mr. Markle have moved on in separate directions.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who placed their trust into RDI and apologize for money's lost. Understand no one wants their business to go under and unfortunately when a business does go under any and all assets of the company go to pay creditors.
As I continue to read rip off report and Complaints Board that RDI or Management deliberately scammed them was heart wrenching. If I had to do it again would I change things, you bet but what hurts me the most are 2 things
(1) How quickly people forgot the good things
(2) The investment some people lost and I am not talking about money, but there time and perhaps there dreams
I hope someday Ottawa you can find it in your heart to forgive and understand that the owners, managers of a business are human and they do have feelings. One last things for those people that got in an argument with me and think I threaten them don't take it personally I was protecting not just the company by everyone. If someone else came in I would be protecting you. Not an excuse but I am very protective by nature. Sometimes we all get stressed and worked up over something that today seems insignificant and after the passage of time people reflect.
I wish everyone all the best in their future endeavors and hope that your dreams get fullfilled.
Mr. Trevor Goble
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