Meet Alicia Cooper | CEO Esthetician and Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alicia Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor/factors in my success would be Excellence and Integrity. My mother, Betty Lyons, always told me growing up that if I was going to half do something, then don’t do it at all. This instilled in me to do my very best at whatever I tried. It gave me a work ethic to make sure my service was top notch. Integrity played a factor in making sure that what I served my clients with would always be in their best interest.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art of choice is Makeup Artistry. I have the ability to enhance my clients natural beauty and they still feel as if they look like themselves. In the process of services, I try to set an atmosphere where my clients can relax. The concept is to give them a few minutes of rest to relieve some stress. Woman rarely take time for themselves. When they come to me, I try to make sure they have that time for themselves. It is so fulfilling to be able to encourage the clients emotionally as well as physically.

I am most proud of the fact that I have been doing this for 17 years. This career started off shakey. It was not easy at all. When I started my business, the support I thought I would have was not there. After consulting with my then spouse, I quit my previous job to pursue my dreams. In the midst of it, we separated a week afterwards. I ended up subsequently getting a divorce. I had 3 children. In starting that business, I ended up on welfare because I couldn’t make ends meet. My children would stay with different relatives while I lived in and out of my car and then into a shack until I gained stability. It seemed like the worst time ever in my life. However, There was a drive in me to not give up on it but to find another avenue within it to survive. I DID.

I believe I overcame the challenges because of my faith, my mom, my best friend, and my Pastor. They were my new support system.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way are to help those that have a passion for what they do. The beauty industry is not friendly to new estheticians in the business. I wanted to be a hidden conduit for their success. Lastly, I learned to be good to people and build relationships.

What I want people to know about my story is although it was extremely hard, My why helped me to stay focused, love people, and always have a heart to serve. Because of that, I win every time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh wow, this is a tough one because I’m very simple. When my best friend did come to town, we would of course meet up and catch up over dinner and drinks. I love seafood. We would go to Salt Cellar here in Columbus, GA.
That Saturday, of course we would go shopping so that we could go to the comedy club in Auburn, AL.
Then on Sunday, she would visit my church. I’m a proud Pastor to Prophetic Fire Worship Center Intl.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe this great start to the late Dr. Ann Hardman. I had no idea that what I am doing would stem from her example. She was my pastor for 18 years. She was a business woman and a game-changer. She started a makeup line. I was asked to be one of her consultants. She gave me the encouragement to start in that. It ignited a desire for me to go to school to learn. Now I am the proud owner of Alicia’s Artistry Spa Boutique.

Instagram: MakeupartbyAlicia

Facebook: Alicia Lyons Cooper

Image Credits
Shannon Whittington Photography