Today we’d like to introduce you to April Cooper.
Thanks for sharing your story with us April. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Officially starting my creative journey in high school in the year of 2009, I have experience ranging from writing & editing, modeling & photography, model coaching, small brand development, producing creative content, and makeup artistry. As a freelance, independent artist, I strive to master every skill that I have come across so I can remain as versatile as possible within the beauty and entertainment industry. Through my brand Make Them More (MTM), I make sure to provide each and every client I work with, with an unforgettable experience that will keep them coming back for MORE.
I started my college journey back in 2012, attending Clayton State University (CSU). The only true club, group, or organization that caught my eyes, was a modeling organization, called Power House M.O.D.E.L.S. (PHM). I joined my very first semester and ended up finding a great passion behind modeling and fashion. As the years and semesters went by, my love grew deeper and deeper, with more love for the behind the scenes action than just the quick thrill and rush of excitement of being on the runway for only seconds. With the first organization I started with, I participated on the Executive Board has Head Spokesmodel, later advancing to Publicist. After winning a modeling competition at one of our semesterly fashion shows, I won a scholarship to Cynthia Bailey’s, The Bailey Agency School of Fashion, where I was personally taught new techniques and given professional advice and guidance from Ms. Bailey herself, and her amazing team. I am forever grateful for that opportunity and experience.
In 2014, I along with five other colleagues decided to revamp Clayton State’s only fashion organization. Together we all are the co-founders of The F.A.S.H.I.O.N. Society (TFS), established to help develop student leaders, empower self-esteem, and establish the culture of fashion on the campus. By way of TFS, I was able to express my creativity by becoming the organizations Model Coordinator and Creative Director & Producer. I have had the opportunity to produce four of my own major productions held on campus. I also had the opportunity to help other creatives in their own productions by training their models and/or providing creative direction and content ideas. Last but definitely not least, around the time of establishing the new organization, one of the co-founders had introduced me to make up, such as doing my brows and applying false lashes. From that point, I thought I had stumbled across just a new hobby, but that hobby would later turn into much more!
Fast forward to a couple of years later in 2016, I decided that I wanted to start offering my talents as full services. Why not make a profit off of doing exactly what you love?! It took almost a year for me to settle on the name Make Them More, but once I did, it felt so right and so complete! I am the Creator of Make Them More, and I serve as a Makeup Artist, Creative Director & Producer, and Model & Runway Etiquette Coach.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but that’s the beauty of my journey. If the mission was so easy, everybody would be doing something so similar just to get by. There has been plenty of times where I wanted to quit and give up. At several points, I have even considered selling my makeup products, but then I always remember why I started, how far I have come, and how far I still have to go. Something that I am learning to master is that if you can’t manage stress, you can’t manage success. You truly have to work hard for everything you want. You have to believe that the job is already done. The quicker you find and recognize that belief, the better the journey gets. The easier it becomes to handling any and all obstacles and distractions, both good and bad.
I have always been extremely business oriented and there have been times where I have had to decline my services to those who I feel don’t value me as much as I value myself and my brand. I work hard to build my reputation and sometimes, I find more reward in letting go of opportunities that are not for me, that could possibly destroy me rather than simply trying to please everyone and disregarding or demeaning my own values, beliefs, standards, and expectations. Once you learn what is for you and what is not, the vision becomes even more clear.
Make Them More – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am the Creator of Make Them More, and I serve as a Makeup Artist, Creative Director & Producer, and Model & Runway Etiquette Coach. Make Them More originally was created as Make Her More, but shortly after I decided that since I do offer services for men, I wanted the brand to provide space for equality. A quote that I use on my website sums up perfectly how I aim to set myself aside from others.
“I look at myself as that bridge to whatever is across on the other side. If you are getting your makeup done by me, I’m looking to help you find that extra and added confidence to your already amazing personality. I’m looking for that reaction of seeing a boost in your self-esteem from viewing yourself in a different light. When it comes to creative directing or producing, I am that bridge to an individual or a group of individuals finding out that they can accomplish something by being as creative, dope, and innovative as they possibly can, while inspiring others. And when it comes to coaching, that is pretty much me instilling pure confidence into a person, whether that’s through modeling, brand development, or a little life coaching. On the other side, there is always growth and opportunity, and I am that connection!”
-April Cooper
I am most proud of how far I have come. I have had people steal my ideas, mock me, betray me, bash me, and some even apologize and try to rekindle a friendship when they see me doing good, but more importantly, I have had more people applaud me and motivate me to keep going. At one point, the goal was to figure out how to tie all of my passions into one brand and I did just that. My current goal is to continue educating myself in all of my services so I can stay up to date and in the know so when I am booked, I can provide my clients with nothing but the best. I believe in not only teaching what I know and pouring myself into others, but I love to work with people who do the same for me.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
There are several moments that I am of course proud of that can all be summed up into one, “the aftermath”. The proudest emotion I feel that lets me know that I have chosen the right path for myself, is when an old makeup student, fellow model, or even another creative I have worked with in the past, randomly texts or calls me to check in on me or thank me for once believing so much in them. That warms my heart to death! It keeps me driven to know that I made an impact on several individual lives, but not nearly as many as I have dreamed and plan on impacting with my future plans.
Pricing:
- For $10 off of your next service with me, when booking an appointment through Make Them More’s website, don’t forget to leave a note in the “Any Additional Info?” box, stating, “I read your Voyage ATL story”. You must leave the note when booking your appointment in order for discount to apply.
- Makeup Applications: for full details on each application, please visit website
MORE Confident – $65
MORE Rebellious – $65
MORE Pampering – $75
plus 1 MORE? (Bring a Friend) – $55 per face
**Lashes are included with each application .** - Makeup Classes: for full descriptions on each private session, please visit website
MORE Knowledge (Look & Learn) — $80
MORE Knowledge (Look & Learn/ plus 1 MORE? style/ Bring a Friend) — $160
MORE Details (Hands-on Training) — $175
MORE In-depth (Hands-on Training) — $325 (Full Studio Session with Muse and Photographer)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://makethemmore.wixsite.com/acmtm
- Phone: 14702416939
- Email: makethemmore@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makethemmore/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aprilzcooper
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/makethemmore
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVbUc6JDmccsRCy1ruIbASg?view_as=subscriber
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
