We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Codi Ellis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Codi below.

Hi Codi, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

The defining moment of my career was when I opened my own studio. At the time, I was working full-time managing two spa locations while also doing services. I had a full book of clients, often with a waitlist of a few weeks. I’d been working for this business for several years and was under the impression that I’d have the chance to become a partner and open more locations. It was one of those places where “we’re like family” was thrown around, and the relationship between the owner and the employees often felt more like friendship. Compared to the toxic environments I’d experienced before—bullying, bounced paychecks—this felt like an amazing place to work.

But that turned out to be a façade, and I realized the reality all at once. Two days before I was scheduled for surgery and a week off, one of our top employees put in her notice. I had spent a lot of time mentoring and encouraging her, so I was concerned I might be missing something. I approached her after work, “not as a manager, or even as another employee, but as a friend,” and asked what made her leave. She told me that the owner wasn’t who she appeared to be and backed it up with evidence.

The owner allowed clients who had bullied this employee to come back, despite multiple requests to ban them. She gave this employee a well-deserved raise, then took away her commission behind her back—and lied when confronted about it. Worse, I learned that several issues could potentially affect my license and career if they were reported to the Board of Cosmetology. That was impossible for me to overlook. Combined with growing concerns about my own pay, the decision to leave became clear.

After that conversation, I decided to become a solo esthetician and open my own studio. Within two days, I was connected with a local salon suite owner—my “fairy spa mother”—who helped make the daunting process so much easier. In two weeks, I was able to leave my previous spa. After years of saying I never wanted to be independent, that I was terrified of the responsibility and couldn’t imagine succeeding, I was forced to face that imposter syndrome head-on.

Now, after celebrating my two-year anniversary in my space, I’m so glad I took the leap. I’ve won Best Lash Salon in Charleston both years, took first place in a creative color lash competition, and helped put my partner through massage therapy school. It’s taught me the importance of having a strong support system, and how to maintain balance between friends and professional relationships, as well as setting boundaries to keep myself safe and sane.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Codi Lynn, owner and founder of Chromatic Fox, an alternative esthetics studio in Charleston. My path into the beauty industry wasn’t exactly traditional. Growing up in rural Tennessee, I always felt out of place—a queer “wild child” with too much personality for the conservative surroundings. I loved theater and special effects makeup, which eventually led me to esthetics. After dropping out of college and moving to Hilton Head, I worked in retail until a local makeup artist encouraged me to follow a career in esthetics. That eventually brought me to Charleston, where I managed a spa before deciding I needed a space where I could truly be myself. That’s how Chromatic Fox was born in late 2022.

At Chromatic Fox, I specialize in creative color lash extensions, gender-affirming beauty services, and body waxing. What makes my studio different is that I’ve created a space that’s inclusive and affirming—a safe haven for anyone who doesn’t fit the traditional beauty mold. I try to help clients feel authentically themselves, whether that’s through bold, artistic lash designs or services that affirm who they are on the inside. I won Best of Charleston Lash Salon in 2023 and 2024, and I also won a national creative lash competition for my Fairy Garden lashes.

What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built. I’m not just offering beauty services; I am creating a place where people feel seen and celebrated for who they are both inside and out. I want folks to know that when you come to Chromatic Fox, you’re not just getting a service—you’re stepping into a space where your individuality is welcomed, and you can feel comfortable being your true self.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Empathy, compassion, and a strong stomach—just for a different reason. In this field, you see people at their most vulnerable and their most real. I’ve had clients come in after a miscarriage, and we cried together. Then, a year later, she brought her rainbow baby to her next appointment. I’ve helped a transwoman remove facial hair, reshape her brows, and give her lashes as she began her transition—lots of tears during that appointment too. Clients bring friends, family, and their stories, and they choose to share their lives with me. It’s kind of like therapy, but you leave feeling prettier and more confident.

As for the strong stomach… let’s just say not everyone has the same hygiene habits. And when you’re dealing with intimate areas during something like a Brazilian wax—well, sometimes shit happens.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

Honestly, it was blood money. To explain that, here’s a bit of family history. My parents were never married, so when my dad passed away in 2010, everything went to me. After some disagreements with his family over his belongings, I was left with a small farmhouse and a lot of camo and hunting gear. Six years later, I sold the house and put the money aside for a rainy day. That “rainy day” ended up being my failed marriage. Most of the money went toward a down payment on a house with my then-fiancé. After a short and abusive marriage, a tough divorce, and mediation days before Covid shut down the world, I was left with some furniture and $7,000. Two years later, that money and the rest from my dads house, became the seed capital for my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chromaticfoxstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chromaticfoxstudio/

Image Credits

Allison Wilder