Meet Angela Macke

We were lucky to catch up with Angela Macke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Angela with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Where did I get my work ethic from?

Well, the short answer is: survival.

The long answer is that my childhood wasn’t exactly the stuff of Hallmark movies. Until I was 13, “unstable” would’ve been a generous way to describe my home life. My mom was addicted to drugs, my stepdad was abusive and also addicted, and adult supervision was… optional, at best. It was chaos, every day.

When I was finally removed from that situation, I got my first real glimpse of stability. I was 13, starting high school, trying to figure out who I was and where I fit in. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted for my life—but I knew exactly what I didn’t want. And that was enough to light a fire.

So, I worked. Hard. I got a job at 14 and never looked back. I poured myself into school, into activities, into anything that would give me a shot at something better. I looked around at the people I grew up with—siblings, friends—and realized how easily I could’ve ended up like them. I was lucky. I got out. And I wasn’t about to waste that chance.

Was it the healthiest motivation? Probably not. But it was fuel. It drove me to prove—to myself—that I could build something different. I learned early that no one was coming to save me. It was me, my mindset, and my willpower. So I worked. I served tables, bartended, worked events, picked up side gigs—whatever it took—while juggling school and an internship. I ran on caffeine, ambition, and a deep fear of going backward.

Fast forward to today. I’m 35. I own a business. I’ve started another. I have a full-time job. I teach fitness classes. I’m a wife and a mom. The life I’ve built now is everything I didn’t have growing up—and that’s what keeps me going.

So, where does my work ethic come from?
It comes from a rough start, a stubborn streak, and the unshakable belief that I can always do better.
It comes from a fear of failing and a determination to rewrite the story I was handed.

I built the stability I needed as a kid—and now I’m building it for my son.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I wear a few hats—and I like to think they all fit pretty well.

By day, I’m a full-time Marketing and Communications professional. I work with clients to create and execute campaigns that connect—whether that’s through paid advertising, social media strategy, events, or content that actually gets people talking. In my corporate role, I serve as a Senior Communications Specialist for an organization in downtown Cincinnati, where I help bring big ideas to life and make sure the right messages hit the right audiences.

Outside the 9-to-5, I’m the owner of Glossa Professional Makeup Artistry, where I lead a talented team of artists specializing in everything from bridal and glam to commercial and special effects. I’m also a working artist myself—helping clients (mostly brides and event-goers) feel like the best version of themselves on their big days.

And when I’m not behind a laptop or a makeup brush, you’ll find me at the barre—literally. I’m a certified Pure Barre instructor at a studio in Northern Kentucky, helping clients strengthen both body and mind.

Sound busy? I love it that way. Each piece of what I do fuels the next—they all intersect in creativity, confidence, and connection. The best part? The people I meet and the communities I’ve built through it all.

So whether you’re looking for marketing strategy, a little glam, or some fitness inspiration, I’ve got you covered. Let’s connect.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, adaptability, and relationship-building.

Resilience came first—because it had to. Coming from an unstable childhood, I learned early that if I wanted something different, I had to work for it and keep pushing even when things didn’t go as planned. That grit carried me through long nights bartending after college classes, building my career from the ground up, and now juggling business ownership, a full-time role, and motherhood. My advice: get comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth rarely feels easy, but it’s where all the good stuff happens.

Adaptability has been my secret weapon. My career isn’t exactly linear—marketing strategist, makeup artist, fitness instructor—but every role taught me something new and connected to the next. I’ve learned that your path doesn’t have to look traditional to be successful. For anyone early in their journey: say yes to opportunities that scare you a little. The skill sets you build in unexpected places will end up being your biggest assets.

And finally, relationship-building. Whether it’s a client, a teammate, or a Pure Barre member, everything I do revolves around people. The connections I’ve made have opened doors, inspired new ideas, and created a sense of community I never had growing up. My advice here: be genuine, be curious, and give more than you take. You never know who’s watching, learning from you, or waiting to collaborate.

In short, resilience keeps you moving forward, adaptability keeps you growing, and relationships keep you grounded. Those three things have shaped everything I’ve built—and they’re what will keep me building, no matter what comes next.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The number one challenge I’m facing right now is the eternal balancing act of being a working mom.

It’s the constant tug-of-war between wanting to build a career I love—one that makes an impact and supports my family—and wanting to fully be there for the small, beautiful moments with my son. I want to be the mom who shows up to the Halloween parade, who helps with the class party, who sits down to dinner without glancing at her inbox. The mom who’s present, not just providing.

This time last year, I got laid off from a job I thought I loved. I was devastated at first. But hindsight’s got a funny sense of humor—that job offered zero maternity leave and absolutely no flexibility for new moms. So really, it was a blessing disguised as a bad day.

That experience forced me to rethink what success actually looked like. I knew I needed more balance, and I also knew I never wanted to rely entirely on someone else’s definition of work-life anything. So, I created my own lane. I launched a second business as a Marketing and Communications consultant, picked up contracts through relationships and word of mouth, and built something sustainable on my own terms.

Now, I do have a corporate role that gives me the flexibility and benefits I need—but I also have the confidence and freedom that comes with knowing I can stand on my own two feet. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that anything can happen when you work for someone else.

So how am I overcoming my biggest challenge? By refusing to choose between being a great mom and a great professional. By building both stability and independence. And by designing a career that lets me be present for my son and proud of the work I do.

Because for me, balance isn’t about doing it all—it’s about building a life that lets me love it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glossamakeup.net
• Instagram: @angela_macke and @glossagirl
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-macke/

Image Credits

Lauren Richardson, Green Garden Photography