Werbowy had never seriously considered modeling, but found herself launched into the business after meeting a schoolmate's mother who headed Toronto's Susan J. Model & Talent Management. At age 14, Werbowy won a national modelling contest, but after a year of working with Susan J. Model & Talent, however, Werbowy thought she could be doing more with another agency and left.[citation needed]

After switching over to Elite Models, Werbowy began landing several prominent bookings in Canada but still had not achieved much international success. When Elite Canada's head scout, Elmer Olsen, started his own agency, Werbowy followed and her career began to flourish. Within a few years, and under the guidance of International Management Group (IMG), Werbowy had gained a foothold on the international modelling stage. Daria has considered quitting the industry when she turns 25, to become a professional painter, or to open her own gallery, back home in Mississauga, Ontario.[citat