Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciarrah Fittro.
Hi Ciarrah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started doing hair out of my mom’s house right after high school, strictly styling prom hair. I then had an amazing opportunity from an old cheer coach when I was about 18 years old. She had asked me to do her wedding hair and makeup in Punta Cana, DR for herself and her bridal party. That is when I truly knew this was something I wanted to strictly focus on making a career out of. I love the wedding industry, I truly love meeting all new vendors, bridal parties, and venues!
I then was in a traumatic car accident in 2019 that put me in a coma for 3 days with a head injury, broken bones, and more. I am beyond thankful to be here today to share my story of never giving up on what you love. My life changed forever, I was in a wheelchair for a total of 5 months. I thankfully fully recovered and got out of shock trauma and the rehabilitation center about 3 months after the accident. When I was cleared to start back up with work, I then was hired by a bridal hair and makeup company and started back in the salon. After covid, weddings were flowing in and I was beyond excited to see what the future held.
I then decided to fully leave the salon and become a stay-at-home mom with my babies while working weddings, events, and styled shoots full time! I took the jump, which was super scary but this is something I had always dreamed of. I left the bridal company I was working with started my own company and got a studio. That’s where the BeyondTheUpdo Bridal Hair & Makeup Team comes in. I now have an amazing and growing team of 8 hard-working women by my side. Our style is a luxury, modern, and romantic bridal style.
I am very picky about my team, we want to deliver nothing but the best. We love getting to know every one of our brides and bridal parties. Everyone is very personable, fun, and professional. The BTU team wants to make sure your wedding day is an enjoyable, stress-free, and memorable day with us! I have fully built an amazing team to do just that. I still look back at where I started and continue to push myself in marketing, advertising, education, connections, and communication! I will not stop until I have reached the exact goal I have for myself and the BTU team! I have no doubt we will get there!
We just hit our one-year mark as a team and I could not be more proud of these girls! If you continue pushing in life, you will get the result you once dreamed of. Even when times get tough or you have a bump in the road that is not for you to give up, that is for you to push even harder! I hope to one day be able to meet all of you gorgeous brides and the BTU team has the chance to work with you on your big day!
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my amazing family and friends! My boyfriend and I want our kids to know when you want something you can do it with a little support and hard work, you will get there over time!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been pretty smooth. I had come into difficulties with finding the right person to create our website. I wasn’t going to settle for anyone. I wanted someone who could deliver the style of the BTU company.
I then educated myself and got some help from my good friends husband. Who was a life saver! I started building the website myself. I worked tirelessly to make sure every paragraph, photo, links etc. were in the right places and looked up to the style of the BTU team!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about BeyondTheUpdo LLC?
We specialize in bridal hair and makeup. We can do any style from natural to full glam. Our style is a luxury modern vibe. We are continuously staying educated on new styles and trends. From doing in-person classes to online courses.
We also offer hair and makeup for events or photoshoots as well. We love to continuing expanding on our work. We travel to where-ever your services will be received. I specialize in bridal hair. My favorite styles are updos and soft Hollywood waves!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Always find someone to mentor you feel fits the style that you want for your business. Once you’re in the industry you will learn quickly of what not to do and what to do, to make your business flourish!
Treat the people you have by your side with the upmost respect and remember you wouldn’t be where you are today without their hard work as well! I love to learn from all different higher sources about marketing, services, and socials etc!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.beyondtheupdo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond.the.updo
- Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/beyondtheupdo/023fc749fea8d928.html
Image Credits
@iverphoto, @katieedewald, @taylorwebsterphotography, @arpasiphotgraphy, @nicolesimensky.photo, @elyseruthphoto, and @katieloefflerphoto
