Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Codie LePors. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Codie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

I worked in Corporate America for over 15 years in the beauty/retail industry, and the thing they get wrong is putting profits over people, both clients and employees. It took me a long time to realize that anyone and everyone is replaceable with a snap of a finger. It was challenging to give the amount of time with my clients without putting pressure on them to buy something.

Work Life Balance…. The company I worked with had a strict policy of no weekends off, vacations had to be approved in a year in advance, working most holidays, and the hours were unpredictable. Sales goals were unrealistic at times. I felt like I never had time with my family; and when I did – I wasn’t present, because I brought my stress home from work. All of these things – I control now. I make my own schedule, and work at my own pace.

Don’t get me wrong – I met some of my closest friends, had the best trainings, and was given incredible lifetime experiences working at a large corporation. I know that these things were positive to my overall life and the main reasons that I stayed for as long as I did. The people you work with become your family. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those experiences.

Cooperate America created a safety net in many ways, because I made a pretty good salary and I was good at what I did, but It can be like a trap in in many ways.

I always would ask myself If I leave …. What if… What if I fail.. What if I don’t make any money… What if I don’t book any gigs…. It took away my individuality, self confidence, and at times, made me someone that I wasn’t.

When I decided to finally leave Corporate America to start my own business – I felt like crying and rocking myself in a corner, lol… but really.

I finally said F@CK it and left cooperate America. It hasn’t been easy, and it wasn’t overnight, but having the support from my husband, family, and friends I continue to grow, learn, and thrive.

Owning and running a small business is not an easy road to take, but it is very rewarding in ways that working for a large corporation can never provide. No one sees the late nights updating my website or countless hours reading and responding to client emails. No one sees the hours driven to get to location or the backbreaking labor of setting up for a job in the Texas heat. This is truly something that you must love to do if you wish to succeed. I love my clients and this business, and that is why I haven’t “worked” since I started working for myself.

Codie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi ya’ll! I’m Codie; the owner and key artist of Makeup ATX. I established Makeup ATX in 2017. We are an on-location beauty company, located in Central Austin – focusing on makeup and hair for any occasion. On the weekends we devote our time glamming up brides, grooms, and bridal parties. During the week you can find us doing hair and makeup for photoshoots, commercial, film, and everything in between. Makeup ATX’s mission is to provide the highest quality service of hair and makeup by pairing the best artists in Texas with the highest level of communication in the industry. This includes achieving the client’s desired look, as well as creating a comfortable and trusting environment. Our team consists of highly experienced artists that I have know and worked with for over 10 years, I trust the team just as much as I trust myself. I know when they are representing Makeup ATX: they are utilizing these essential practices above with each client.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Trust is one of the biggest tools you need between you and your team. The majority of my team consists of artists I’ve known and worked with for many years. We know how to speak to one another without anyone’s feelings getting in the way. I know their work ethic and they know mine. I know they will show up, have fun, and do a damn good job. I have to trust my team with my business, brand, and good name.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe in taking care of my clients above and beyond everything else. You can spend money on advertising but nothing will bring more success than happy clients that tell their friends and family about their experience. It also helps to network within the industry that you are starting out in. When I started my business I didn’t have a large cliental to lean on. Thankfully, I have a close friend who had left the same company I did – around the same time I did. Kayla, owner of Project Artistry, really helped me get my name out there. She introduced me to photographers, venue owners, and other vendors in the wedding/beauty industry. From there I started doing styled shoots, open houses, and saying “YES” to anything I could. I took on jobs that paid very little or paid nothing at all. Success is what you make of it. If you want to thrive you have got to put the work in it.

Service is paramount and encompasses everything we do. Hair and makeup are things that anyone can learn, but with out service there’s nothing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/makeupatx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupatx
• Other: Brides of Austin – https://austin.wedsociety.com/vendors/makeup-atx/ The Knot –https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/makeupatx-austin-tx-2003650

Image Credits
Headshot Photographer – Sarah Soliz 2nd pic – Kristin La Voie Photography 3rd Pic – Sophie Epton Photography 4th pic – Lavishly Lux Studio 5th- pic – Grayson Reese Photos 6th pic – Mitchell Bahr Photography –