Gretchen Boren knows the modeling business inside out, and she should, since she's been working in the industry since she was 13 years old.

The young woman has had great success in the business and recently opened a shop in the Illinois Centre Mall in Marion, Raquel Couture.

Boren travels back and forth between California and southern Illinois and this month expanded her business by offering modeling class at her store. She taught modeling school in Georgia.

"People come in to the store and ask about modeling and how they can get started," said Boren. "I decided to convert the extra space in the back of the store into a runway and teach them some of the things they should know."

Boren said being a modeling consists of a lot more than being in front of the camera.

"I've designed a modeling class that will really helps those who are interested. They will learn about the modeling business, whether they want to work full-time, part-time or do it for a hobby. There are all types of modeling opportunities. I will show them how to walk on the runway, what they should do for print modeling, like putting on their makeup correctly. They will learn that to be a model you must be healthy. There's a lot of stress and they need to know how to market themselves and how to manage their money."

Boren has hired a photographer, stylist and make-up artist to work with the would-be models. After completion of the class they will have a portfolio with three pictures they will be able to submit to agencies, as well as a CD of their pictures.

She will provide the students with a list of reputable modeling agencies. Boren has connections with agencies in St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta and Georgia as well as California.

She also plans to instruct the models on how to prepare for an audition.

"It's going to be like a modeling boot-camp," said Boren. She plans to make herself available to her students after the class in complete. "They'll be able to call me with questions if they have any. I want to drive their confidence levels up, motivate them."

The classes are open to both male and female models and will be divided into two groups, ages six to 12 and 13 to adult. Boren said she was fortunate enough to be able and go to modeling school as a teenager; however, she had to travel to get there.

"My mother drove me to Cape and I caught a bus from there to St. Louis," said Boren. "We had to leave our house in Herrin at 5 a.m. and I never got home until after 8 o'clock at night. I want to offer something local, and with the high price of gas the students won't have far to drive. I want my students to know me."

"Becoming a model can be scary," said Boren. Her goal is to eliminate some of those fears and help her clients have a better understanding of the industry.

Those interested can find out the schedule of future classes by calling Boren at (618) 997-8429 or by visiting her store in the mall.

"I'm really excited," said Boren. "This will be a lot of fun."