Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Madden.
Hi Ciara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins as humbly as any other 26-year-old woman. Certified Pretty Girl has always been a major part of my life before growing into the beautiful lifestyle brand that it is today. As a child, my mother, grandmother and sister always instilled the “beauty standard” when it came down to my appearance and lifestyle. At the age of 11, I suffered at the hands of a sexual abuser. Due to that trauma, I was forced in many ways to find the beauty in everything that was me. Whether that was on a physical plane or a spiritual plane. In the years that followed, that journey of self-worth and discovery led me to realize my true purpose. And, no, it wasn’t being the savior that I wished I had in my darkest moments. It was the realization that there was someone, somewhere, that needed to hear my story. Someone who needed to see my unfiltered journey. And to feel my undying resilience to rebuild all that I was as a human being and as a woman. That’s when Certified Pretty Girl was born. The lifestyle of a Certified Pretty Girl is that of an ever-evolving being, a divine and balanced being. Loving all that you are and mostly everything you’re becoming. This lifestyle is about bringing together a community of women who are ready and willing to redefine the basic “beauty” standards from an internal and spiritual place. People often ask me how I got to this place in life, and the only answer I can ever give is, “God didn’t give me this mission in life for no reason.” I am a firm believer in divine purpose and “inner standing” that nothing in life happens to you; they happen for you. The driving force of my purpose is to be a part of the change I want to see in the world. Let’s be honest: Women rule the world! And, once we all remember our true power, our individual divine purpose, and the meaning of a true sense of community; the amount of change and beauty that can be brought back to the world in a time when we need it most, things can and will be so different.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing worth having is easy to come by. This journey is ever-evolving, and in that aspect of growth, there have been some trying and “discouraging” moments. The biggest obstacle I feel that I have faced has been the sense of lacking confidence. In a world that has been taken over by social media and influencer standards, finding the proper audience has proven to be difficult. When it came to making sure that the right content would reach the right people, I had to realize that the right things will always find their way to the right people. Those beautiful individuals will be exactly what Certified Pretty Girl needs.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
1. My specialty is PEOPLE! I absolutely am a self-proclaimed people person. My empathic ways and nature allow me to connect with anyone. I am a super easy person to connect with, which is why I think my purpose is to spread joy and meaningful information to the masses from an unbiased perspective.
2. I truly believe I am known for my bubbly and glowing energy. As well as an outgoing and genuine personality. I am known to draw people in without putting in the effort. Most people who encounter me seem to feel a connection that they cannot describe, as well as a feeling of trust.
3. I am most proud of my sense of resilience and humility in my journey, where I’ve been, and the things that I have done. My greatest accomplishment to date is attending and graduating from Grambling State University in 2020! With every possible odd against me, I obtained my degrees in fields that will allow me to change the world on a more political and global scale, all while staying true to the journey of rediscovering the greater good of humanity and speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
4. I truly believe that what sets me apart from others is that I am comfortable in being SET APART and not SET ASIDE. I own every part of who I am and who I am becoming. I never disrespect my journey or victimize myself for the things that life has thrown at me. I made it my mission to love my life fully by just being a better version of myself every single day. I never define myself by the standards set by the outside world because they may not fit my lifestyle, and that’s okay! Because building the life I want to live allows me to touch the ones who need it most. Even if they didn’t know it yet.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I would have to say my favorite childhood memory is starting my elementary school’s FIRST EVER cheerleading team along with a few of my friends. To make a long story short, it was my first time being a part of an initiative that brought change. This happened when I was in 5th grade. At the start of that final school year at Terry Elementary in Little Rock, AR, our principal informed us that we would finally have our very own basketball team, with a season scheduled to start before the Thanksgiving holiday that year and ending in April of the following year. When the announcement was made, myself and my fellow classmates/friends were all questioning the same thing. “How can we have a basketball team with no cheerleaders?”
We took that as a moment to take control of a situation that we wanted to involve ourselves in! For our enjoyment, as well as to support our fellow classmates who were going to be a part of the basketball team. Later that week, we started a petition to give to our principal to allow us to have a cheerleading team. Within days, we had over 100 signatures from students, teachers, gym coaches, school staff/administrators, and parents! Our principal could not deny the fact that we worked hard for what we wanted! And the decision was made to start the cheerleading team. Of course, try-outs followed soon after, and I made the team as 1 of 2 co-captains! I felt on top of the world! Simply because this idea, this dream that a few 5th-grade girls had, WORKED! And we did it together! As a team, before we were on a team! It was such a beautiful experience! Even though we cheered our first game with no uniforms, no crowd, in a school t-shirt and jeans (barely knowing any actual cheers), our squad ended up being one of the first elementary school squads in our district! Our basketball team finished their first season UNDEFEATED! And even now, in 2024, Terry Elementary has a golden basketball team and an amazing and enthusiastic cheerleading squad! So, a major shout-out to the Terry Tigers Class of 2009!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certifi.edprettygirl?igsh=MWh1NDFvcXhmeW1zbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
