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Erin Grant
”The Model Mom”
To say Erin Grant leads a double life isn’t too far off. By day, she’s a
loving mom to son Dylan, 4, and daughter, Gabrielle, 3. By night, she’s a
professional model and marketer for Harrison Beverage. That means she gets
to hang out in liquor stores and bars, buying drinks for people and promoting
the latest brands.
This dream career wasn’t even on the horizon when Erin thought about
her future. In fact, her first passion was swimming.
Born in Greensburg, PA, Erin moved to Ventnor, N.J. when she was
very young. By age 4, she was in Egg Harbor Township, where she discovered
sports, and more specifically, the water. She was such a strong swimmer that
she joined the Atlantic City Beach Patrol as a lifeguard at the young age of 14.
By that time, she was living in Somers Point and attending Mainland
Regional High School. In her junior year, she expanded her interest in sports
and joined the crew team. That earned her a full scholarship to Northeastern.
But a back injury prevented competition, and Erin transferred to the
University of Delaware.
“When I was rowing, I was very disciplined,” she said, “so I didn’t get to
party. But that changed when I switched schools and stopped competing.”
She majored in business, but still hadn’t hit on the right career. She
ended up going to beauty school for cosmetology and worked as a hair stylist.
She also worked as the manager of Guess at The Pier at Caesars. That was
about the time that she met her husband, Eric.
“We actually knew each other on beach patrol,” said Erin. Eric is a lieutenant
on the Atlantic City Beach Patrol and a firefighter in Ventnor. “We ran into each
other at Robert’s Place in Margate. I was no longer 14; I was 21. We started
dating. In six months, he proposed and six months later, we were married.”
Erin started modeling for McCullough Models out of Margate, when
a friend of hers suggested a job at Harrison Beverage. She started as a
promotional model, handing out shirts, hats, and other giveaways at bars and
liquor stores. She was soon promoted to the marketing team, and is in on
strategy meetings as well as the public appearances.
“We’ll work on different promotions, such as the end of the world,”
said Erin. “We’re having a party at Dusk at Caesars on December 21st
which is supposed to be the end of the world by the Mayan calendar.
That night, we’ll be featuring a beer called Shock Top End of the World
Midnight Wheat. We’re giving away tickets, which also can be purchased.
Someone that night will have a chance to win $1,000.”
It’s a job that keeps her very busy in the summer months, typically from
4 p.m. to 1 a.m. But she works to keep a healthy balance.
In her spare time, the Linwood mom splits her hours between going
to the gym and going shopping with her girlfriends. “I have a great group of
friends; they’re like my sisters. Being able to get away for a few hours helps
me recharge.”
Favorite day of the week: Sunday! That’s my day off, the day I spend
with the kids.
Favorite place I’ve traveled: Hawaii – I went there on my honeymoon!
What I like about living in South Jersey: The beach! My husband is a
lifeguard and I was a lifeguard.
One thing on my bucket list: Sky diving! I’m deathly afraid of heights,
so if I could overcome this fear, I’d feel accomplished. Plus, so many
people have done it and loved it!
Chimere Hunter
”The Borgata Babe”
Chimere Hunter has met Rhianna and Alicia Keys. She’s
served drinks to Robert De Niro. It’s all in a day’s work as a
Borgata Babe, the exclusive group of costumed beverage servers at
the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.
But this Egg Harbor Township mom didn’t always aspire to
meet celebrities or even work in a casino. In fact, her first career
choice was medical coding and billing.
“The problem was that it didn’t pay the bills,” said Chimere.
“I really liked the medical field because I got to talk to the patients.
But unfortunately, I couldn’t live on the salary.”
So Chimere switched gears, getting a cashier’s job at Bally’s
Park Place. She made decent money and honed her skills over the
five years she spent there. That’s when an opening for a cashier
manager caught her eye. It was at the Borgata, the newest casino
in town.
“I actually was going for the manager job,” said Chimere,
“when a friend suggested that I apply for a Borgata Babe
instead, because it had even greater earning potential. I decided
to go for it.”
The interview process was an intense two days. But Chimere
passed with flying colors. She started in 2003.
“It’s an interesting job where I meet a lot of people,” said
Chimere. “People will stop us and ask to pose for pictures. It’s fun,
and a little bit like being a celebrity. I truly love my job. It’s a great
place to work.”
The first hour of work each day is devoted to hair and
makeup. “We take classes to learn how to do it,” she said. “Our
makeup has to be tasteful and our hair has to look nice. After all,
we are the face of Borgata.”
Chimere works nights, and is there anywhere from 9 p.m.
to 4 a.m. four to five days a week. She will drop the kids off at her
mom’s, who conveniently lives in Atlantic City near the Borgata.
She has three: Chiana, 16, Tayla, 6, and Riccardo III, 5 months.
She met her husband, Riccardo Hunter, Jr., at the Chelsea
Pub in Atlantic City. Riccardo owns a club called the G Lounge in
Philadelphia. He works nights, too, so the schedule suits them.
Then, they come home to “crazy family time.” “I have an
amazing family,” said Chimere. “They’re crazy. My 6-year-old is a
drama queen. So is my 16-year-old. In fact, so is the baby. Even at
5 months, you can tell. We get crazy together and have some really
good times.”
Favorite day of the week: Friday, because I’m looking
forward to the weekend!
Favorite place I’ve traveled: Aruba—this was a really
nice relaxing vacation with some other couples!
What I like about living in South Jersey: The casinos,
the clubs and the beach!
One thing on my bucket list: I’d love to go bungee
jumping sometime. I like rollercoasters, and enjoy
facing the fear!
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