Today we’d like to introduce you to Cierra Brown.
Hi Cierra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
To start my name is actually Cierra. A lot of people know me by my social media name which is my middle name, it kinda fit better as an @ name and turned into a brand so I just kept it. Now that that’s out of the way…
I’ve always been a a creative and active person. From being on the court to being on stages. Younger me wasn’t as scared to jump dive into any opportunities I was interested in, even if that meant doing it alone. She also wasn’t afraid to be apart or the head of something. In 8th grade I planned the first continuation and dance for my school. With it being a brand new school we didn’t have set traditions and with how the school was set up, we didn’t get to be the “top class of the middle school” since they had us in the high school building since 7th grade. I wanted a sense of normalcy for us so I got some teachers on board and made it happen. I love how fearless she seemed. How even if it was scary, I did it anyway. That’s a version of me I yearn to get back to and I think within these last few years she’s been showing up more and more.
I say I express myself most through visuals; fashion, changing up my hair, getting my nails done and my tattoos. I’m a very vibrant person. I love crazy patterns and textures. Safe to give that inspiration to my grandma who has always been an icon to me, in ever sense of the word. My grandma actually introduced me to thrifting, you know before it was cool to go. She’d have the most beautiful dresses she’d let us play in growing up and all I wanted in life was to find a collection of my own. Fashion really is my passion and I appreciate how it’s subjective. Even if I may not like a certain outfit, I love hearing the whys behind how they put it together. Especially in a world where they’re trying to turn everything into the cursed version of Halloweentown, grey and dull. I need as much color as I can get.
My creativity isn’t just an outlet it’s who I am. I’ve finally gotten my confidence back to where I know my worth as a person and a creator and limits do not restrict me anymore. I am a writer, an athlete, a content creator, a teacher, a student, a fiber artist and so so much more.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I fear the best things never come easy. That’s not to say my upbringing was all bad. Like most my focuses shifted on the less important things because I was introduced to them far too early. Thinking about it now, it really took a toll on me a whole. I didn’t want to be seen as much so I toned down my look and my presence of being a leader. I didn’t push myself to the fullest because I thought all that mattered was being chosen by your “forever person” at the end of the day. I carried around a hurt for so long and shared it with some who didn’t deserve it. I thought I wasted so much time and the what ifs took over so bad that I felt stuck. I don’t think things just leave your existence magically one day, especially certain traumas. But I do think they become easier to dictate as apart of your story and not so much h who you are as a person. My grandma taught me this lesson by simply existing, I’ve heard her stories and I’ve seen her start over plenty of times. I’ve heard how her hurt affected others but I’ve also seen how talking about it opened doors we never thought would be possible. As long as you have air in your lungs and blood in your veins.. you have time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I actually work for my family’s business full time. Real man’s work, is what I call it because I’m the only girl who works there as of now. Custom Contractors LLC hasn’t just been a source of income but a learning tool. I truly feel like I’m being paid to go to fraud school sometimes. I’ve learned how to fix a broken sprinkler, we’ve fixed fences and some. On top of it all I get to spend most of my days with my dad and my brother. I’m finally in on the little inside jokes and I get to see a different version of them. I’m really grateful for my dad for taking a chance on me. Mixing family and business isn’t always easy but I’m glad I didn’t knock the job just because it’s not what I want to do forever.
After I clean up, I’m a content creator! I mostly post on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest. I’ve worked with high end brands, some just starting up and some local ones. All have been equally great. It’s just something about someone having a vision and seeing you apart of it that makes you feel like you’ve made it as a creative. I hope to do this full time one day soon, to be able to continue to document my growth and hopefully give people the inspiration my grandma has given me. I hope to have the freedom to help others who have also been through sexual abuse. My hope is to create a space that makes it easier to talk about while providing resources that help those in need in their healing. I have a few dreams / goals I’d like to reach but I guess you’ll just have to wait and see if they all come true.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Be mindful of who you work with, especially when you’re first starting out. Not every opportunity needs a yes and not all money is good money. Try to do your own research on brands and business to make sure they align with you as a person because once you sign a paper or put something out there.. it’s a lot harder to back track.
Trends are cool but make them your own! There’s an audience for everyone. So you could find the easy way to “blow up” or you could post what you’re proud of watch a community of actual supporters grow. It has to be fun for me or it feels like a choir. Obviously making money from it is a plus but that wasn’t the reason I started so I try to remember that whenever I need to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/missmackenzi
