Why Young Professionals Are Moving Back to Joplin, MO
As a young girl growing up in the Midwestern city of Joplin, MO, Aubrey Cooke dreamed of moving away from home and building a life in a big city. Her dream came true; she called Southern California home for 10 years before uncontrollable circumstances brought her back. She wondered if it would be possible to build the big life she always wanted in a place she never thought she’d live again.
Ahead, find out more about Cooke’s journey from home, why she ended up moving back to Joplin, MO, and why she decided to build a life and business here.
Where did you move to and why? When did you move back?
I always thought I’d end up in New York, but after graduating, I took a trip to Los Angeles with some friends, got scouted for modeling and decided to take action and move to LA. I came back in December 2020 at the end of COVID. I was living in San Diego and commuting to LA for makeup jobs, but once things shut down, I couldn’t work as easily anymore. It was a tough decision, because California had been my home for 10 years, and I never thought I’d be moving back to Joplin, MO, but I knew I had to. As I saw other friends leaving to return to their hometowns, I gained the courage to move back to Joplin.
What made you decide moving back to Joplin, MO, was the right decision?
Joplin was familiar, and I knew I’d have a support system there. So, I packed up my car and made the 23-hour drive back home. I was concerned about doing well here, professionally and financially, but my dad encouraged me to believe that my time and experience in LA set me apart in a place like Joplin, which has a limited pool of people with my skill set. Turns out, he was right!
How have you grown in your career since moving back to Joplin, MO?
I’ve been doing makeup professionally full time since 2015. While working as a makeup artist for weddings, I also arrange stylized shoots and create special effects makeup. As an extension of my makeup and modeling work, I’ve started a vintage shop called Lost Hollywood Vintage, which features carefully curated vintage and secondhand clothing, some of which I’ve made by hand. I also make and sell jewelry and other vintage decor. I host pop-up events, and I’m currently creating a website and looking to purchase a traveling trailer to host pop-ups around Joplin and in neighboring cities.
How has Joplin made it possible for you to start or grow your family?
A family is one of the reasons I was swayed to move out of Southern California. It’s just tough to support a family out there. No one goes to LA to start a family; they go there to start a career. As someone who wants a family and a career, Joplin seemed like the most stable place to do that. Joplin’s got a tight-knit community with great schools that have excellent programs, and the area is really safe. I was actually able to buy my first house a year after moving back, and I’m in an excellent relationship, with plans to get married and have kids.
What do you love most about Joplin, MO, since moving back?
People invest in small businesses here, and they want to help one another and the community. It’s exciting to see my generation get involved and be supported by the community. Financially, it’s a great place, especially for first-time homeowners and people who want to invest in their future. It’s a community filled with middle-class America, and we have a bigger picture of wanting to help the community and grow together. I also love summers in Joplin. It’s a time to slow down and enjoy life here.
How have you gotten involved in your community again?
Participating in the pop-up community has been huge for me. When I hear of vending opportunities, I join and am quick to tell others about them. Joplin hosts a lot of vendor-mixer events, and I participate in them almost every time they’re offered. Wine tastings, art walks and collaborations with other local vendors are great ways to connect with others.
Why do you think others should consider moving to or back to Joplin, MO?
A lot of people think moving to a small community means there will be nothing to do and no benefits, but in fact, small-town living isn’t a step backward, it’s a step forward. Like a bow and arrow, you have to pull back to shoot forward, and that’s what moving back to Joplin has been like for me. It felt like a step back returning to small-town America, but I’ve shot forward in amazing ways. I was immediately able to connect to a community full of support and hardworking people. Joplin was once the wealthiest mining town in the early 1900s, and that work ethic is still alive and well. People here are proud and want to see Joplin thrive, and young professionals are key to making that happen. The people here are excited to support us and see growth happen.
This article is sponsored by Choose Joplin, which is actively supported by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Joplin.