Serendipity — and a passion for helping others succeed — led the professional model, actress, singer and dancer to join the JRP system, which has some 80 franchises in the United States and internationally and was founded in 1923.

Flowers was working as a line captain at the show " Jubilee!" at Bally's in 1994 when she began volunteering with Las Vegas' CORE program, teaching self-esteem and self-respect skills to local at-risk youths.

"Most of the kids I worked with were told they would never succeed, so I would donate my time and teach them self-esteem, based on the belief system that if you have the tools and the knowledge you can better yourself," said Flowers, who began her modeling career at Marshall-Rousso at the Desert Inn at age 6. She went on to appear in a soap opera pilot and myriad television commercials. "When the CORE program was over, I wondered 'How do I offer this to the whole city?' and a friend suggested opening a modeling or charm school."

Flowers, who previously co-operated New Image Modeling and Talent from 1991 to 1993 in Las Vegas, received a phone call the next day from a woman who wanted to work for New Image. The woman happened to be the marketing director of John Robert Powers and suggested that Flowers consider opening a local franchise. So Flowers did some research on the JRP network and determined it would be a good fit. Apparently, executives at the corporate office agreed.

"They said they would be honored because I come from their business — I'm a performer and I believe in training — so they approved me to purchase a franchise, which I started on a wing and prayer," said Flowers, the first black JRP franchisee. "My grandmother and baby sister helped me invest; the initial franchise fee was about $50,000, but there's so much that goes into that, like securing the lease and getting all the equipment. I thought it was just open the doors — wrong! — and I had two quarters to rub together, so you just work it out."

Flowers said she invested $100,000 to $125,000 to get the school up and running and has worked with about 8,500 students since its inception, including children and teenagers who went on to achieve fame under her tutelage.

She currently serves as a personal manager for 19-year-old A.J. Trauth of The Disney Channel's "Even Stevens"; 7-year-old Conner Rayburn, who appears in the television show "According to Jim," was on an episode of the TV series "Monk" and has been featured in several national commercials; 5-year-old Ella Rae Zanders, who has appeared in Little Debbie Snacks commercials; 15-year-old Tyler Steelman, who will appear in the movie "Beowulf"; 20-year-old Alex Mola, who landed modeling campaigns with Abercrombie & Fitch and Nautica; 20-year-old Alicia Hall, who has modeled for Calvin Klein and Sports Illustrated; and 19-year-old Jessica Miller, a supermodel who has posed for Calvin Klein, Versace, Yves St. Laurent and for Chanel cosmetics.

Brian and Gina Rayburn, the parents of Conner Rayburn, said their son began attending classes at John Robert Powers in April 2004, just a few months before he landed his gig on "According to Jim."

"We have another son, Christopher, who's 11, and we wanted to put Christopher into something that could help build his self-esteem," Gina Rayburn said. "Conner said, 'Put me in, too.'"

The Rayburns agreed that Conner, who gets tutored on the set of the show during taping, enjoys the opportunity he has earned.

" The best way to explain is in sports or acting or anything in life, if you force someone to do something or try to live your dream through your kids, they will not be happy and not be good at it,"Brian Rayburn said. "But Conner loves it and enjoys making the audience laugh, and as long as he's happy we'll keep pursuing it."

He went on to offer accolades for Flowers.

" Kim is wonderful," he said. "If we have any questions or concerns, we can always get in touch with her, and if she doesn't know the answer, she'll tell you. She's upfront and honest. Some people don't care and just want your money, but that's not the way it is with Kim, and that's one of the things we like about her."

Ella Rae Zanders has been attending John Robert Powers since she was 3 1/2, according to her mother, DeAnna Kirk, who has worked with Flowers for seven years.

"Ella Rae went to work with me and (began attending classes) and just took to it like a fish to water," said Kirk, adding that her daughter landed an agent by attending auditions that Flowers coordinates. "She has done a Little Debbie Snacks commercial that's been running since September of last year. She landed the backup role and when we got to the set they never took her off — she got the led role. She also got a Marshall Fields seasonal commercial, and her first commercial was when she was 2 years old for Southern Nevada Water Authority. She's also done other (print) campaigns and has gotten a nice little resume all stemming with Kim at JRP. Kim is a marketer and she has connections and networks and absolutely hustles and makes things happen."

While there are more than three dozen modeling agencies listed in the Sprint Yellow pages, there are only a handful of modeling schools. What's the difference?

Entertainer Tommy Davidson, right, speaks at the John Robert Powers school. Owner Kim Flowers sits in front of the mirror opposite Davidson. Photo by Steve Marcus

Agencies represent models for a standard commission and only make money if their talent works. Modeling schools such as John Robert Powers, by contrast, offer image-development courses for a fee.

Flowers, who opened a Reno JRP franchise in 2000 and a Jacksonville, Fla., office in 2003, said workshops in acting, modeling, voice and personal development start at $1,275 for a 10-week course, and are repeatable free of charge, a service other JRP franchises do not offer.

"I believe in repetition and that practice makes perfect," she said, adding that she also offers scholarship programs through pageants, nonprofit organizations and other outlets, and has helped to increase the talent pool in Las Vegas so that local models, actors and other entertainers don't necessarily have to go to Los Angeles or New York City to find work.

" We have more opportunities in our city now," Flowers said. "For years, all of the major casting was done in Los Angeles if a movie was filmed in Las Vegas. They used to bring their own talent because Las Vegas didn't have any talent. Now commercial and theatrical agents for film and television who would never leave their offices come to me. I get calls all the time from people who say, 'Kim, I'd love to see your kids.' The agents are very excited because the kids are ready to interview and ready to compete in major markets."

John Robert Powers corporate headquarters recently awarded Flowers' Las Vegas branch the " Best Success Stories" award for having more talent success stories than any other franchise in the United States. In addition, the Las Vegas branch was awarded "School of the Year" and Flowers was named "Owner of the Year."

Flowers credits her success to her optimistic outlook.

"You have to be very positive in business and in everyday life — think big and dream big," she said, adding that small-business owners must also be passionate about their profession and constantly self-evaluate in order to find ways for improvement. "Be willing to try new things because what worked yesterday might not work today. Be prepared, don't get so bogged down with day-to-day. Hold meetings with your staff and celebrate the great things that happen and evaluate where you have pitfalls. Trust your instincts and allow yourself to enjoy where you've been."

And believe in yourself, she said.

"Back in 1995, for my $50,000, what I received from the corporate office was a box with a videotape and a manual, and that videotape and that manual did not get me where I am today," she said.