Life & Work with Ashley Odum of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Odum.

Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Ashley Odum, I’m a professional makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur based in Atlanta, GA. I’m also the owner of BeautyBeatByAshley and Bso Cosmetics, my own cosmetic line that includes vegan and cruelty free glosses and easy to apply lip liners.

My journey into makeup honestly started out of pure curiosity. I’ve always loved beauty and transformation, but I never thought it would turn into a full time career. Back when I lived in Connecticut for a small period, I would practice on myself and close friends just for fun, not realizing I was planting seeds for my future.

When my wife and I decided to move to Atlanta, it was supposed to be a fresh start. But starting over in a new city wasn’t easy, we had no family here, no safety net, and we really had to build everything from the ground up. We worked multiple jobs just trying to stay afloat from retail to customer service while still finding time to do makeup on the side. But the passion kept calling me back no matter what I did.

Eventually, I made the bold decision to take makeup seriously and step out on faith. I started doing $30 makeovers just to get my name out there, and I would take clients anywhere, hotel rooms, dorms, you name it. I was self taught, so I spent hours watching YouTube videos, practicing new techniques, and learning how to work with different skin tones and textures.

The more I worked, the more people started to notice. I built relationships, invested in my craft, and started seeing the growth I prayed for. Over time, my artistry evolved from everyday glam to bridal and luxury makeup and that’s when everything shifted. I discovered that I truly loved helping brides feel their absolute best on one of the most important days of their lives.

Now I’m blessed to say I’ve built a solid brand and clientele in Atlanta. I travel for destination weddings, collaborate with other creatives, and have even expanded into product development with my own cosmetic line. None of it happened overnight it took years of consistency, setbacks, and lessons but I’m grateful for every step because it all led me here.

My story is one of faith, resilience, and purpose. I went from barely making ends meet to building a life and business that I love, one client, one brushstroke, and one prayer at a time.

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?
My journey as a makeup artist definitely didn’t come easy. There were so many moments when I could’ve given up, but something in me just wouldn’t let me. When I first moved to Atlanta from New York, I had no idea how hard it would be to start over. I was only 21, newly married, working commission based jobs, and trying to find my purpose.

When I lost my job at Nordstrom, I felt like my world was crashing down. Not long after, my wife and I got evicted and found ourselves bouncing between hotels and there were even nights when we had to sleep in our car. We were young, scared, and unsure of what was next, but we refused to go back home because we knew God had something greater for us in Atlanta.

There were times when I didn’t know how we’d make rent, but I kept showing up doing makeup for $30, handing out business cards at colleges, posting on Craigslist, and staying up late watching YouTube tutorials trying to perfect my craft. I knew deep down that if I just kept going, something would shift.

Even when things started to get better, life still tested me. I worked multiple jobs, from serving tables to working retail and at T-Mobile, before finally taking that leap of faith and quitting to pursue makeup full time. That decision changed my entire life, but it came with a lot of faith, prayer, and sacrifice.

Through all of the ups and downs, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust the process. Every setback, every “no,” every long night, it was all preparing me for what I have now. I truly believe God doesn’t make mistakes. What felt like my lowest moments were actually building my strength, my character, and my testimony.

Now, looking back, I’m proud of every obstacle I overcame because it made me into the woman and artist I am today one who’s self taught, resilient, and living proof that you can start from nothing and still create a beautiful life doing what you love.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a full time makeup artist based right here in Atlanta, and I also own Bso Cosmetics, my very own cosmetic line that features vegan, cruelty free glosses and lip liners. I specialize in soft glam and luxury bridal looks, that “flawless but still you” kind of makeup. I love creating looks that enhance a woman’s natural beauty while keeping her skin looking smooth, radiant, and camera ready.

I think what people know me most for is my attention to detail and how consistent I am with my work. My clients always tell me how comfortable they feel in my chair and honestly, that’s one of the biggest compliments to me. I take pride in giving my clients not just a makeup look, but an overall experience that makes them feel beautiful, confident, and cared for.

What sets me apart is the passion and intention I put behind everything I do. I really love what I do, and I think that energy shows in my work and how I connect with people. Whether I’m glamming up a bride on her big day, a client heading to an event, or promoting my lip combos on social media, I’m always giving it my all.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come, from starting with not a single client to now having brides travel to me or fly me out for their weddings. I built this brand from the ground up, and to see it growing the way it is now truly means everything to me.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would definitely say consistency and authenticity. In this industry, trends come and go, but staying true to who you are and showing up even when things get hard is what really keeps you growing. There were times I felt overlooked or doubted myself, but I stayed consistent, I kept posting, kept learning, and kept perfecting my craft.

Another big part of my success has been my passion and the way I connect with people. I genuinely care about my clients and the experience they have with me. I think people can feel when you truly love what you do and that’s something you can’t fake. I show up as myself every single time, whether I’m behind the brush, on camera, or creating new products for my brand.

At the end of the day, I believe being real, reliable, and passionate is what’s helped me stand out and keep growing in this industry.

Pricing:

• Natural or Soft Glam looks $150
• Dramatic glam looks $175
• Weekday specials Mon – Thurs $125 for natural or soft glam only

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beautybeatbyashley.as.me/
• Instagram: Beautybeatbyashley
• TikTok: Beautybeatbyashley