Meet Cortland The Great | Makeup Artist, Public Relations and Female Promoter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cortland The Great and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cortland, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
It’s simple. How bad do you want it? For me, I see a life for myself that might take a birds view to actually get the picture but I know that consistency breeds results. Each day I’m consistent to keep going, I increase the percentage of everything paying off. The day I give up, is the day I stopped. I want to be successful and great too bad to let anything deter me from the end goal. You have to dig deep and find your why!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would say I’m a creative but I would also say I’m a multifaceted entrepreneur. Similar to a Jill of Trades. One tip I have for anybody is there is power in your words, what you say you are, you are. Be gentle, kind and intentional with what you speak over yourself.

Getting to this place in my career has absolutely been tough. Very transitional! Being an entrepreneur, it’s not a blueprint to how your business should go. You figure it out along the way. I had to work hard and figure out what I was working hard for, why I wanted to work hard for this specifically and if it made me happy. Once I figured out my why, it became effortless to fight for my dreams, I want it that bad.

Challenges are going to come. But every challenge is an opportunity to grow and learn. You overcome by going through it, not around it, not over it, not under it but going through it.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned from being an entrepreneur is when plan A doesn’t work remember there’s other letters in the alphabet. Sometimes a plan can be tweaked and changed to create a better vision. Don’t be scared of that process, when it’s right you will know.

I want the world to know about me that I am a powerhouse when it comes to my brand. I make women feel beautiful and pour into them as a professional makeup artist, I cultivate amazing experiences and events in my city and yours using my branding, marketing and public relations experience, and I know how to throw a really good party as a female promoter. The world will eventually know Cort The Great, but all in God’s timing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So my hometown is Columbus, Ohio. Shout out to my city. If you ever visit, go check out these spots:

Short North – plethora of restaurants, galleries, bars, and storefronts. A more luxurious “little five points”.

LuxeWear Boutique – black owned apparel boutique.

CJ’s Soul Food — black owned restaurant.

Scioto Mile – my favorite place in Atlanta is Piedmont park. Scioto mile is a reminder of that.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I can give a lot of thanks to a lot of people who’ve assisted me in my journey and helped me along the way. I don’t have a close relationship with my biological mother but God blessed me with someone who came in and provided that guidance for me. On days where it was hard and I couldn’t see for myself, they saw for me. Restored my faith and continued to pour love into me. It’s not a lot of genuine people like that in the world who will do that for you. So publicly, I would like to thank Ms. Erika Elmore for everything.

I have one friend specifically who has been a rock for me, and helped me persevere through a lot of tough moments in my career and in my life, it’s so important to have people around you that can support you in ways you need. This friend has listened to all of my crazy ideas, my breakdowns, and supported me regardless. I want to also thank Brieanna Carter for being a powerful force in my life.

Website: www.CortlandBeauty.as.me

Instagram: Cortlandthegreat

Image Credits
Unorthodox.Studios