Today we’d like to introduce you to Leea Marie.
Hi Leea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Atlanta in 2018 from Detroit with only $200 in my bank account, no job, and a dream. I moved to Atlanta to grow my business as a makeup artist. I started working two jobs and did makeup on the side to build my portfolio. In 2019 I got my first “big girl” job working in corporate at a law firm. I was working 9-5 and doing makeup after work and on weekends out of my home. When 2020 came, the world shut down and I had to stop taking clients. The pandemic really made me evaluate my life and what I was doing. I knew I loved makeup but I always wanted to be a beauty content creator. I loved being in front of the camera, creating and editing videos. In 2021, I started taking content creation seriously and posted consistently on TikTok and Instagram and started getting paid brand deals. The brand deals started replacing my salary and in 2022, I took the leap and quit my 9-5 to be a full-time content creator and I haven’t looked back since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth, but I’ve learned so much and have grown in the best ways because of the journey. When I started taking content creation seriously and posting on social media, I struggled heavily with caring about what everyone else was going to think about me. That was something I really had to go to God and pray about because I knew that being a content creator I was going to have to learn how to navigate through the opinions of others. I’m constantly putting myself out there and being vulnerable to any and everyone on the internet, but the biggest thing I’ve learned is my realness and vulnerability may be judged by someone but it can also very well help someone. And that’s what keeps me going. I’m a content creator not just because I love it and I’m good at it, I have a heart for serving and if me putting myself out there with the talents God gave me helps someone, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing regardless of the judgments from others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a full-time beauty content creator and I also share content creator tips, advice, and support for other fellow or aspiring content creators.
I’m most proud of my steps out on faith in my journey. Moving to a city with no money knowing no one with no job was a huge risk but I believed I could so I did and I believed it would work out and it did. Leaving my full-time stable job to be an entrepreneur when I had only been doing this for less than a year was also a huge step out on faith and it’s worked out thus far and I believe it’s going to continue to work out.
I believe what sets me apart is my love for helping people through what I do. Being able to have a positive impact on my community while doing what I love gives me so much joy and confirmation in what I’m doing.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Don’t be afraid to slide in the DM’s of the ones who inspire you. The worst that can happen is they don’t respond or they’re not interested, and in that case move on to the next one. But you never know what can happen until you step out on faith and put yourself out there. Surround yourself with like-minded people who you can learn from.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/makeupbyleeamarie
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/LeeaMarie
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@makeupbyleeamarie
