Just about every model that has graced the cover of DSport lives west of the Rockies. This month we brought in our first model from the Southeast. Kim Loan came to our attention about two years ago while we were surfing the web looking for potential cover models. We had planned to contact Kim Loan and set up a cover shoot. However with all of our time being put into the massive improvement and expansion programs for DSport, we never had the time to make the contact, arrange the flight and hotel and arrange transportation. Fortunately, we were finally able to get things done in time for issue #30.

DS: It says that you were born in New Orleans. Was your family the only Asian family in the state of Louisiana?
KimLoan: No. You'd be surprised. There's a really big Vietnamese community in New Orleans. Have you guys ever been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras?

DS: No.
KimLoan: You have to come for Mardi Gras at least once in your life. It's the craziest party ever.

DS: Did you go to college in New Orleans too?
KimLoan: Yes. I got my degree in marketing and then I kind of fell into the import scene.

DS: How did that happen?
KimLoan: After high school and during college, a bunch of us used to do club promotions. Since we all loved import cars, we ended up throwing the first import car show in New Orleans.

DS: Was it a success?
KimLoan: Yes, but I really wanted to produce a calendar so that's when I began to focus on the Exotic Imports calendar and the Prestigious Models website.

DS: How has the calendar done?
KimLoan: Getting any new business launched is a struggle. However, by the third year of doing the calendar, everything began to fall in place. The 2005 Calendar will set a sales record and we just finished shooting the 2006 Calendar.

DS: How is the calendar distributed?
KimLoan: We sell the bulk of the calendar through our website pmgirls.com, but we also sell a number of the calendars at car show events like HIN.

DS: How is the website part of the business going?
KimLoan: Besides selling calendars, the website provides an opportunity for companies to book one of the 25 contracted models. It's been very successful.

DS: Where has modeling allowed you to travel?
KimLoan: I've been to Hawaii twice and I've also been to Toronto, Canada. Hawaii was really nice.

DS: Tell us about your family?
KimLoan: I have two older brothers and one younger sister.

DS: And your younger sister is getting married this weekend?
KimLoan: Yeah. The pressure is on now. My parents are surely going to be pushing me to get married.

DS: Since you are the older sister, you do know how to cook right?
KimLoan: Yeah. I know how to cook, clean…all of the homemaking stuff.

DS: So where are you living now? You flew in from Houston and you are flying back to New Orleans?
KimLoan: Right now, I'm selling real estate in Houston, Texas, but I go home to visit my family pretty often. It's only a five-hour drive.

DS: Do you plan to stay in Houston?
KimLoan: I don't know. I really enjoy the weather in Southern California. I just need to make a fortune before I can afford to buy a house out there.

DS: Good luck.
Kim Loan: Thanks.

For more on Kim Loan grab a copy of DSport Magazine on newsstands and tuning shops nationwide.