Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Jon.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia and I am on a mission to innovate the Beauty and Fashion industries through my artistry and also by utilizing my MADE formula (Making Attainable Differences Everyday) to create a timeless approach to Beauty and Fashion.
I am so grateful that I found my purpose many years ago, because it gives me a rewarding opportunity to teach, inspire, motivate, support and encourage women and men from all walks of life. I am a firm believer that we have all been made for a purpose. Learning what our true purpose is, gives us the confidence we all need to be successful and it puts us on a path to becoming a positive influence in peoples lives in our world.
While growing up, there was no evidence of becoming the professional makeup artist I am today. In my youth I was a singer, dancer, actor and had a love for fashion. Somehow in high school I veered off-course and took classes to become an auto-mechanic – that clearly didn’t last long lol. After high school I continued my education at the Art Institute of Philadelphia and obtained a degree in Fashion Marketing. I was positive that I would be a buyer for some major department store. Once graduated, I got a job at J. Crew as a Personal Shopper. While there, a woman named Jae Barnes, one of my clients, recruited me into the Beauty Industry by offering me more money to work for her at Aveda. I worked with her for two years and I eventually got promoted to Store Manager and ran two different locations. One in Short Hills, New Jersey and another in Manhattan, New York.
At this point in my career, my desires began to shift and I started becoming intrigued by makeup transformations and how they helped to enhance a woman’s natural beauty and boost her self esteem. Observing the Global Makeup Artist for Aveda, Rudy Miles, also amplified my desire to learn the fundamentals of makeup and it soon became my passion. I worked for Aveda for eight years in total. From there I was a Retail Manager for Mac Cosmetics for two years and then at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, where I worked for one year. It was at this point that I decided to leave retail all together to start my own freelance makeup artist business.
This decision afforded me the opportunities to travel in and out of the country doing what I love. I worked in New York for ten years. I did music videos, fashion and beauty editorials. New York, Philly and Africa Fashion Week and I’ve had my work on a billboard in Times Square. I relocated to California to work in TV, Film and on Red Carpet events and to build my celebrity clientele. Some of my clients and celebrity features are Vanessa Simmons, B. Slade, Erica and Tina Campbell, Michelle Williams, Mechad Brooks and Lalah Hathaway. My career has been a journey of ups and downs but it all made me become the man behind the brush.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My journey working in retail cosmetics was a smooth road. I learned a lot about artistry, time management and the importance of growth and development. I also learned how to market and promote my product to reach my sales goals. I became skilled in managing a large team of diverse people, to get the best results for my business. I won many awards and was consistently promoted.
The challenges came after I decided to leave retail, in order to build my name in the Beauty industry. During my journey, it took a lot of blood, sweat, frustration, trusting God and tears for me to build a successful freelance business. I had to assist other artists and do a lot of unpaid work in order to build my portfolio, perfect my craft and increase my confidence as an artist. I struggled with paying my bills every month and at one point I was couch surfing – shout out to all of my friends who helped me!
I was stressed, but I knew I had something special and that my talent, passion, drive, personality, work ethic and purpose would one day get me in front of people in the industry who had the power to help change my life. Don’t ever allow anyone’s inability to see your worth dictate your future. We have the power to change the narrative of our story by believing in ourselves and trusting God completely with our life to make it all happen.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I have been working in the Beauty and Fashion industry for 20 years, with consistent celebrity clients. I am also the CEO and founder of MADE (Making Attainable Differences Everyday). MADE is an Luxury streetwear brand that currently specializes in fitted hats and t-shirts. A new collection is released each season. I am so proud of both of my companies because I get to be creative and exercise everything I’ve learned in retail; management, marketing and promotion to name a few. MADE was created to inspire and motivate dreamers to follow their hearts and to encourage people to find ways to Make Attainable Differences Everyday in order to achieve their goals. I am so blessed because I get to contribute to people’s lives everyday through my artistry as well as the message behind my clothing brand.
I am really excited about the growth and evolution of MADE. We are now raising awareness of the brand via the “Dream In Color MADE Tour” presented by my management team, Inspiring Entertainment LA. The tour consists of a panel discussion with some amazing, powerful and influential women and men in the beauty, fashion and entertainment industries. There will also be a makeup competition and a MADE fashion show featuring a new collection.
We currently have a new Black Lives Matter Special Edition MADE hat and studded t-shirts on http://www.madebyrjon.com. When I launched the new products, they were sold out within an hour. It felt amazing to have two positive movements come together with one purpose to change the world, from the products we make and in ways in which we give back to society. I am a true advocate of expressing on my platform the importance of why we scream Black Lives Matter. We should all be treated equally, respected, appreciated and with genuine authentic love.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck, I believe in divine purpose and connection. It is very important to get guidance from God every morning before we start our day. It is important to pray everyday and to listen to your spirit. I find it also helpful to set your goals and intentions for the day. The energy you put out always comes back in abundance, be it positive or negative.
Contact Info:
- Website (MADE Product Website): MADE by RJon
- Website (Makeup Portfolio): http://www.rodney-
jon.format.com - Phone: Andre Maurice (Manager) 310.709.4733
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @iamrodneyjon @madebyrjon
- Facebook: Madebyrodneyjon
- Twitter: Madebyrodneyjon
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