Meet Ciara Harris of Glam by Ci in College Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Harris.

Ciara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started when I was about eight, seeing my mom work a 9 to 5 and then clocking in at a part time job afterward. I decided that that wouldn’t be my life. I learned at a young age how the system worked, such as getting a high school diploma, obtaining a college degree then working a job for 30 years to retire. I was never really a fan of doing things the traditional way but I ended up receiving a track scholarship to Paine College in Augusta, GA, right out of high school so I went to major in early childhood. College changed my perspective on my image.

Growing up, I was a Jordans, skinny jeans and tank, top girl. I got to college and saw the eyebrows snatched, lashes on and foundation beat. I immediately started to changed my image to skirts/heels and started investing time in daily make-up tutorials on YouTube. My junior year in college, I was afforded the opportunity of being “Miss Paine College ” and was able to compete in the Miss HBCU Pageant in Atlanta, GA. As I started to grow my network and meet other women on the rise in Atlanta, GA, I started to see that one day I wanted to start a business/brand of my own that I had a group of supporters that shared the same interest as myself that would support me. I started to see how the term “glam ” became a norm in my life being apart of the pageant world. After graduating from Paine College, I was awarded the opportunity to go overseas to teach in Dubai, UAE.

Being in this beautiful country for four years and experiencing the luxury and way of life made me want more. Seeing the quality of life that I created for myself and being able to travel to countries such as Egypt, Bali, South Africa, Hong Kong and many more, I wanted to continue this way of life upon returning back to Atlanta. I started to see the process and time that went into the “glam process,” which would in include full faces of primer, foundation, contouring, highlight and color correcting. On the other hand, I started to see the amount of money, not just time, me and my team invested in makeup and the beauty process. This sparked my inspiration of having my own company that offered makeup and individual/strip lash services. After this, I knew that one day I would make myself the CEO of my own companies in the make-up/lash industries one day, even though I had secured an undergraduate, master’s and specialist degree in early childhood education.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road by far. Upon returning back to Atlanta, I had to focus on my craft, build my clientele and try out different vendors for the lashes that I wanted to use for my clients. I quickly learned that the lash industry was deep and in the make-up industry, you had to keep up with new looks and techniques. I technically started in February, but due to COVID-19 and strict shelter in place orders, I was forced to wait to advertise my business and get my name out. I was addicted to making this dream a reality so I had no choice to cease services until I felt ready to see clients. I finally got up the courage to one client a week in June. During COVID 19, I quickly started feeling bad for myself for not immediately jumping on entrepreneurial ship right out of high school. When you have time you are able to reflect on the way you did things and why you did it. I was able to look at the amount of money I spent on all of my degrees verses what I would have spent on getting a trade-in make-up/lashes. Once I started back up full fledge in July, I was able to see that I had other talents that I could capitalize on other than an educator.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Glam by Ci – what should we know?
Glam By Ci is a company that specializes in strip, individual lashes and full-face makeup. I offer a mobile service also in this age of convivence. I feel like that is what sets me apart from other lash techs. I offer natural sets but glam at the same time. I started having a desire to do lash sets that I liked. I like to look like I have a set on but still leaves the curiosity that they may be my natural lashes. Natural / soft glam lashes is my lane. I started a set called the “BAE” set that took off in July when I opened back up for services. That is my signature set. I created this look as a soft glam set where clients could still choose there lengths to create their ideal look but maintain a classy look. I am most proud as a company to be attending pop shops to market myself and looking to open up a shop in the beginning of 2021.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have so many people to thank. My sister, first and foremost for pumping my confidence and letting me know in this life I can do anything and that I can switch up career path whenever I wanted to. Also, to my sister for letting me try my first set ever on her. Also, my sister for letting me work out of her house starting out. Thanks to Marci at “Lashed by Mar” for introducing me to the lash industry and giving me the fundamentals. To my mentor, Imani at “I catcher lash extensions” for helping me to expand my clientele and craft into doing volume lashes. To my best friend Brittney Woodruff, for being my biggest supporter and checking on me daily with this new entrepreneur life. To Devin and Cat Cain for helping me expand my marketing ideas, including raffles and specials and vendors. Lastly, to Connie S. Falls at Entrepreneur Life Global for helping me create my policies and systems.

Pricing:

• Classic Set – $65.00
• Hybrid Set – $75.00
• Volume Sets – $85.00

Contact Info:

• Phone: 404-543-6171
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @glam_byci
• Facebook: Glam Ci

Image Credit:
Marlown Mapp
IG: @photosbyarlown

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