Today we’d like to introduce you to Codi Ellis.
Hi Codi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Codi Lynn, the proud owner and founder of Chromatic Fox, an alternative esthetics studio in Charleston. Growing up, I was the tow-headed farmer’s daughter in a rural Tennessee town. A queer “wild child” with a colorful, headstrong personality that often clashed with my conservative surroundings. Sports kept me busy, and theater kept me sane. After graduating and leaving for college, I quickly realized that the small-minded view I had been exposed to my entire life was nothing like the reality I was now experiencing. I was no longer the wild child but instead the sheltered country bumpkin, overwhelmed by these realizations and struggling to find my place among the party culture and my more worldly peers.
At 19, fueled by an insatiable curiosity for anything new, I dropped out of college and moved to Hilton Head in 2013. There, hours away from family and friends, a great aunt offered me the opportunity to rent her 1980s condo for as long as I wanted. I started working in retail until my background in theater and love for special effects makeup caught the attention of a local makeup artist who encouraged me to pursue a career in esthetics. After graduation, I worked for several years before moving to Charleston in 2018 to pursue a new job and relationship. Although the job lasted longer than the relationship, I decided to stay and began managing an award-winning spa with multiple locations. Despite the opportunity and our success, I found myself masking my queerness and watering down my personality to fit the business’s aesthetic and help realize the owner’s vision. To cope and feed my creative side, I started participating in a year-round shadow cast of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at a local theater. This gave me an example of a welcoming and affirming environment where I was encouraged to be myself.
In late 2022, I discovered that the spa owner I managed was taking advantage of me, leading me to leave that business and open my studio. Chromatic Fox was born with a beautiful, encouraging community, partners, and clients supporting me. It’s an inclusive, affirming, and safe space for the weird kids, rebels, outcasts, and me. Almost two years later, I have won several awards for my studio and work and expanded to bring on a massage therapist. In my spare time, I still shadow cast every month and have taken a position as a board member for the nonprofit that helps organize the show and create safe, affirming spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in and around Charleston.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been rocky, both personally and professionally. Growing up queer in the South meant dealing with issues from my conservative family and community. My dad and I were extremely close, and his passing when I was 16 left a large void in my life. Unfortunately, his funeral brought out the worst in some family members, leading to estrangement from his side of the family due to their behavior.
Over the years, I also had to distance myself from my mother’s side due to their judgment and unresolved generational trauma that I couldn’t accept. In an attempt to create my own family and fill that void, I overlooked many red flags and got married in 2018. We separated within the first year due to abuse from my spouse, and we finalized our divorce just days before COVID-19 shut down the world. This experience pushed me to start therapy, heal myself, and create a better, more loving community for my chosen family.
In business, I’ve faced challenges with abusive bosses, bounced paychecks, and exploitation of my generous nature. Before opening my studio, I worked for four years, helping my previous boss build her business in multiple locations. We won several awards for our efforts, and I trained each employee to a high standard. I truly believed in the owner’s vision and that she differed from my previous experiences. However, I learned from an employee on her last day that there were several questionable practices the owner was doing behind my back. Some of these practices could have affected my licensure if discovered during a state board inspection, and others were just plain disrespectful. That was when I made the terrifying decision to go solo.
I had heard many stories of solo estheticians failing after going solo, and I knew opening my studio would be risky. However, I had to leave or risk losing my entire career based on someone else’s decisions. Almost two years later, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had many anxiety-filled and tearful nights thinking I’m failing at everything, losing clients due to moves and the current economy, making silly business decisions, and learning from every step along the way. Thankfully, I have had many people around me to remind me that this is a normal part of business and why so many people don’t work for themselves.
We’ve been impressed with Chromatic Fox, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart?
My studio, Chromatic Fox, was born out of a struggle to find my place in the traditional beauty industry, both here in Charleston and during my upbringing in rural Tennessee. Driven by a desire to create a haven for myself and others who didn’t fit the typical Charleston mold, I decided to focus on creative color lash extensions, gender-affirming beauty services, and body waxing.
What sets Chromatic Fox apart is our dedication to inclusivity and creating a welcoming space for everyone. We’re known for our creative approach to beauty, especially with our color lash extensions, which have gained recognition, including the Best of Charleston Lash Salon awards in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, our commitment to gender-affirming beauty services is a cornerstone of our brand.
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built around Chromatic Fox. It’s not just a business; it’s a place where people can feel comfortable and accepted. Our offerings go beyond just services; they’re about empowering individuals to express themselves authentically. I want your readers to know that at Chromatic Fox, they’ll find more than just beauty treatments. They’ll find a supportive environment where their uniqueness is celebrated, and they can feel at home.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
First, I must give credit to my partner, Trent. His unwavering support during some of my most challenging times, never-ending encouragement, and reminders that I can do this and that I am doing a good job have kept me afloat. As capable as I am, I know that without his love and support, I would not have been able to accomplish anywhere near the amount I have.
Next, I have to credit my social media manager, Jordan. Without her help, my Instagram would be a bland abyss of occasional and poorly edited attempts to remain relevant on the ever-changing platform. She came back into my life when we both needed something to change and has been an irreplaceable asset to my business and a lifelong friend. After that, my landlord, whom I affectionately call my Fairy Spa Mother. His guidance and support when I came to him were far beyond anything I could have imagined. The transition into my studio would have probably taken months rather than weeks, and I am forever grateful.
Lastly, my clients have all encouraged me to chase my dream and followed me on this journey. They appreciate my craft, bring all the fantastic inspiration, and trust me to make them feel authentically beautiful. Getting to know everyone and being able to share in their lives along the way has been a joy. I definitely could not do it with only one of them.
Pricing:
- Full set of custom lashes $230-375
- Brazilian Wax $65
- Eyebrow Makeover 1$45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chromaticfox.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: Chromaticfoxstudio
Image Credits
Allison Wilder
