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

Hi Veatra, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Doing what I love and aligning with brands and companies that have the same vision, values and goals.
When I first entered into the industry I was already a “work-aholic” coming from the military. I poured myself into work. I looked up and had not taken a Saturday off in four years. I was frustrated with where I was and experienced “burn out” like many beauty professionals. I prioritize my mental health now. I only work weekends for larger projects that are making an impact in people’s lives. I spend as much time with my family as possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I use cosmetics and self care to edify the body. Leveraging the ‘Human Form’ i.e. hair, makeup and styling to adorn and enhance the beauty that is already within someone. I got here by identifying what I value most. I am an idea generator that dreams of the impossible. I have often been frustrated with the “it’s all about who you know” of the industries that I am in: Beauty and nonprofit. As a military veteran who deals with social anxiety, Post Traumatic Growth, hypervigilance, etc., I literally have had to put myself in many uncomfortable situations. I’ve learned that as long as my intentions are pure and I have done my best, to trust the process. The times I have grown have all been in times when I was very uncomfortable. I want people to know that I am very passionate and intentional about my business and brand. Many people have this perception that life is easy after you get out of the military. In fact, if you are like me and go in at age 18, once you re-enter civilian life, it almost feels like life is just beginning. Not all veterans look a certain way either. We come in all shapes and sizes and I think it’s really important to acknowledge this, especially for women service members. I’ve often felt that I didn’t fit into society’s label of a military person. I am super “girly girl”, passionate and real breaker. The military taught me alot about myself but there was so much more I discovered during my transition into mainstream society. I represent the women veterans of the world who are making our own tables, because seats weren’t always extended to us.

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.
First stop would be Iced Beauty Bar in College Park, right there at Harvard and Main. My friends like to get dolled up before hitting the town, so we’d definitely stop by Complexions and get a facial, Icess for lashes and then Skreem Beauty for the works (Full Baddie Glam makeup). Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen is an awesome eatery down there; I love the one more on the Westside as well. I also really enjoy the food at The Breakfast Boys; I always ask for Peaches, because she’s just a dope server. If they want to shop, drink, and play some games we’ll hit Ponce City Market. I always love Edgewood Avenue for Slutty Vegan, Puff and Petals, and maybe a girl party at Esco. Argosy in East Atlanta is also one of my favorites. Then on our educational trip I would definitely love to take them to the Apex Museum, the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, I could thank so many!

● Thanks to my mother Tori Vogt of Bold Breakthru: Every time I wanted to quit she would not let me. At each one of my Women Vet Co events she has donated copies of her book, You Got This! Letters to My Younger Self for our swag bags.
● Shout out to Mr. Dan Moore, Sr., founder and president of The Apex Museum,who’s been instrumental in the development of the philanthropic arm of Veatra Beauty which is the Women Veterans Company.
● Then there’s Stephanie Gunner, Air Force veteran and vice president of The Women Veterans Company.
● Icess of Iced Beauty Bar in College Park who gave me an opportunity to own my own salon within Iced Beauty Bar. She also donates space for The Women Vet Co to host events.
● Big thanks to Iris Sinclair for hiring me at MAC cosmetics and teaching me the business of makeup artistry.
● Toyin Ajayi of OutDoorsy Black Women who has been a loyal client (hair & wardrobe) for over 6 years as well as a community builder for The Women Veterans Company.
● Lastly Nikki of Hot Fitz for the mentorship and my current position in production and design for HotFitz . Her commitment to empower other women and honoring women veterans by creating programming and jobs for us will always have us locked in.

Website: veatrabeauty@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veatrabeauty/?hl=en

Other: https://m.facebook.com/Womenvetco/ https://www.instagram.com/womenvetco/

Image Credits
Images shot by Antoine Duane Jones of ADJMedia and Muhammad KingOfVisualz

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.