Meet Kateria Maddox | FreeLance Makeup Artist

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

Hi Kateria, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from a small town called Abbeville that’s located in Wilcox County, Georgia. I graduated from Wilcox County high school in 2016. I gave birth to my son in 2017 (my miracle baby). After my six weeks from healing a life threatening C-section. I got a job as a housekeeper working seven days a week. I didn’t care what I was doing I was just trying as young mother. I also started doing makeup on weekends. Makeup was one of my favorite hobbies growing up as a kid. Not only that it’s my “escape from reality”. My very first brand name was called “Yes Ma’am”. After a few months in I started college online called Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA). In 2019 I graduated with honors. I traveled to Clearwater, Florida to receive my associate of science/health sciences, Medical Administrative Assistant degree. After going on numerous of interviews and actually starting a job in my field, I wasn’t happy at all. I continue to switch jobs as well I was working at a warehouse, to working at a chicken plant as a security guard. Of course I was continuing doing make up as well until one day me and my best friend decided to ccollaborate together. Our brand was called “K&K Kreations”. This collaboration came together from spending time with each other practicing & practicing especially just for fun.
As time went by eventually I stopped working, due to sexual harassment at my job, being a security guard. At that point in life, I was overwhelmed and lost, but I never stopped doing make up.
Me & my bestfriend (Khadayshia Childs) became even more active and started taking our business very seriously. We started traveling doing makeup. We started doing photo shoots. We tried making our own YouTube Cannel. We sold Mink Eye lashes . We also even tried modeling. We also did weddings. In 2020 I got pregnant with my second Son. I ended up relocating to Cordele, Georgia. I picked up even more clientele as I was settling in a new city. On September 2 , 2020 I was hospitalized, saying that I need it to have one gallstone and my gallbladder removed. I was told it was safe. I was told that it needed to be done in order to have a comfortable and safe pregnancy. The pain I was feeling at the time was so so so painful. I just wanted me and my son to have a healthy safe pregnancy. The surgery was done, and I was sent home to heal. Things have gotten worse. I couldn’t keep any food. No not even water. I went back to the hospital three times every time they said it was normal. The very last time, my mom and best friend took me to the hospital, because I became so weak from not eating nor drinking. At that moment when I arrived there… I knew I wasn’t coming back for a very long time. It took them a couple days until my OB/GYN to figure out the issue. My bile duct was nipped way too short.
I was transferred to an Atlanta, Georgia EMORY (mid-town) Hospital. My mom came along the next day. As days went by my son was still doing good. Until one morning September 28, 2020 they came in to check on him and unfortunately he had passed. All I could do was scream and yell to the top of my lungs, while my mom was holding me. I felt so defeated &even more lost. I felt hopeless. Knowing that I had a child back home with his Dad and Nana that was waiting on me to return I couldn’t give up. I was in labor for three days, trying to give birth to my stillborn son. September 30, 2020 he finally came. I ended up in ICU a couple of days. After my surgeon tried to let me go home and plan his burial I ended up having to be rushed back to Atlanta because I was getting sicker. Unfortunately I had to go back alone. My mom and family had to go on with his funeral without me. I don’t wish that pain on anyone.
After the funeral my mom returned back to the hospital with me. In the mist of everything I’m grieving became angry.. and yes I was losing hope. My Grandma Rosa Pearl had to give me words of encouragement almost everyday and the one thing that stuck out to me every time.. “Teria you got to keep pushing!”. Emory had to come up with a plan to fix my injury. While healing from my son stillborn birth I was able to return home to heal.
I had a draining tubes/bags and PIC line. We had so many things to do in order for me to stay home& build my strength back up. I returned to Emory November 2, 2020 for my big surgery. On November 3, 2020 I had a successful 14 hour surgery. No Words couldn’t describe how I felt at that moment either. I was beyond thankful but still hurting mentally, a couple days later I returned home to my family. I still had drains for a couple of weeks. Eventually they were removed .
I had to start fresh again especially with my business. After 3 longs months not able to pick up no brushes I started back and it was like I never stopped. My bestfriend decided to only do it in her free time. Which was very understandable. In 2021 I started fresh & rebranded “K&K Living Dolls LLC” I had another chance at life ! I was focused. I was humbled. Most importantly I was THANKFUL! As the years go on I continued to work hard trying to figure out what’s my next move. I tried working on the shop with my Father. Unfortunately, he did me wrong and I moved out. I still didn’t stop I continued to build! January 2023 I ended up getting sick again. I was having complications with my injury where it was fixed. This year I’ve had 6 different procedures trying to fix the problem again. I had an IR Biliary internal/external tube for 5 months. This was very challenging mentally & physically all over again while trying to have a normal life as a mother and entrepreneur. August 1 , 2023 I had a major turn around for me and on August 14, 2023 they were able to remove the tube .
My life has had many ups and downs but each time I figured it out . I never gave up. I kept pushing and still is . I have even more bigger dreams and I know I’m going to accomplish them. Makeup is what makes me truly happy. To even brighten up someone else day with my work gives me joy! I’ve also learned not to speak so soon on dreams until they’re accomplished . My goal is now is to just KEEP GOING. Keep living , taking it one day at a time. Staying focused and growing with everything that’s making me a better woman everyday. I have a great support system and I’m very thankful for them each and everyday.
I know where I want to be but I just don’t know where God is going to lead me. I’m never ever giving up. I just want continue to make my kids &family proud. Kason is now 6 years old and Kole will be heavenly 3 September 30th. I have gained so much faith and strength throughout every obstacle I’ve been through in my life. Right now today I can say I’m a very strong young black woman that will succeed! I am who I am and will always be me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
K&K Living Dolls LLC doesn’t have a certain style it’s open to any style. From mini soft glams to extreme dramatic glams. Our main goal is to make your beauty dreams come to reality. Everyone is different and beautiful in their own way. Long as you’re truly being yourself that’s your very own beauty. I’m excited to see myself grow even more dramatically. Im going to stay consistent and practice even more. I’m going to further my education and continue to build my brand in numerous ways. Nothing comes easy when you’re going for greatness. As of today it took so much strength and faith to get me where I’m at. You can fail so many times , you can be rejected, and denied. Some may even give up on you but long as you don’t give up on yourself you will forever win! When you keep going you’re destined for nothing but greatness. I’ve learned that success doesn’t expire and this is my race. Your mental health is just important as your physical health. If there is no test then it’s no testimony. I’m going to show the world how you can build success off of strength , struggles, grief, and most importantly faith. Only you can see your dreams and only you can make them come true.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I want to give a shoutout to God! It’s so many I want to personally shoutout! Shoutout to my amazing Blackshear and Brown family .

My entire church family “ Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church” (Rochelle, Georgia)

My mom Vanessa, My grandparents, My brothers and sisters, My Aunties and uncles,
My Son’s Father, My Son’s Nana and Aunties, My Son’s Grandparents/Great Grandparents, the Taylor family, My bestfriend, Shunterria, Asia, &Jeke!

My entire K&K Living Dolls LLC ambassadors !
Ms. Sarah Tenon ( Hawkinsville, Georgia)
Ms.Jocarol Boatwright (Cordele, Georgia)

Beauty Shanae (book) “Boss Single Parents: Mastering To Heal” available on Amazon!

Rakeia Lawson @(KrownedByKeia)
Atlanta, Georgia

Akasha Brianna @(Nourish Your Pretty) Hinesville, Georgia

Seymone Davis @(Davis Tax Solutions)
Cordele , Georgia

DricaK @thedricak_ (on Instagram) #AngelMom
Cordele, Georgia

Jala Green@ (Juic’d by J)
Cordele, Georgia

Tony Williams @(Corleone)
Warner Robinson, Georgia

Felicia Williams@ ( QueenUp Inc. & Mommies of Angels) #AngelMom

Sha’khayla @ke2timess (on Instagram)

Nekeza Ford @(Kreated by Keza)
Cordele, Georgia

Kaylii Mae @ (Natural Hair Vibes)

Pangea Box @iamnirobia_ (on Instagram)

Website: https://kklivingdollsbookingsite.as.me/

Instagram: _muaqueenpink

Facebook: Kateria Alexis

Other: TikTok: @mua_pinks

Image Credits
NeKeza Ford Tony Williams