Carrie Michelle Henderson

By Brian Sodoma

Monday, June 29, 2009 | 12:54 p.m.

Carrie Michelle Henderson’s modeling career began when she was 15 years old. By the time she approached her 30th birthday, she had amassed some impressive career credits, including work with magician David Copperfield, the Olympics in Seoul, Korea, and numerous fashion shows for top designers along with large national print advertising campaigns. Henderson left the field before she turned 30, after spending years modeling and gaining insight into the business behind the camera.

“I figured I should probably get out before they kicked me out,” she said with a laugh. “I had a daughter and was married. … Modeling was fun and glamorous and exciting, but I really wanted to use a little more of my brain and creativity.”

In 1997, Henderson created Best Agency, which began as a modeling and talent agency that expanded to include what Henderson calls “atmosphere entertainers,” such as the Roman characters at Caesars Palace and gondoliers at The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes, for example. BEST also branched into complete event planning through the years and recently won the Gala Award, which is often described as the Oscar for meeting planners and is awarded each year at the Meeting Professionals International confer-ence. When she started BEST, Henderson had many doubters.

“Competitors said, ‘I’ll give you a year,’” Henderson said.

Today, the company employs about 400 full- and part-time employees, and bills $12 million annually. Henderson credits her success to growing up with three older brothers and having a great mother who constantly persevered and today is attending college to earn a master’s degree at the ripe young age of 72.

“I was definitely not the spoiled little baby sister. I was picked on and learned if I was going to make it in life, I was going to have to stand up for myself,” Henderson added.

Currently, Henderson is also the incoming president for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, an invitation-only international group of business owners.

“The great thing about EO is that it’s such a great support system. It’s a place where people share their highs and lows, and there are so many collaborative opportunities that come up,” she explained.

On any given day, Henderson may be planning the next runway event at Fashion Show or putting together costume ideas for a different show, while finding modeling or entertainment talent for clients. She appreciates the creativity involved in her work and also the flexible schedule, so she can be available for her 15-year-old daughter.

The former model is also extremely committed to her community. Born in Reno, Nev., but living in the valley since she was 4, Henderson helps with events and fundraising for the Lied Discovery Museum, is a founding member of Nevada Women’s Philanthropy, has been a big sister for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and is also a founding member of the startup organization Responsible Citizens of Nevada.