The Altrd. Story
What we offer, who we are and how it all began...
Meet The Owner
I'm Sarah, proud owner of Altrd. Cosmetics.
I'm a home-body at heart; a perfectionist, a bit of a control freak, and definitely a chatterbox.
I always say things how they are and have zero time for negativity.
Honesty and resect aren't optional to me.
Outside of work, music is my life. I'm an old sole so I'm never not listening to something soul or jazz.
You'll usually find me at the gym, out hiking, cooking at home, walking the dog or spending time with my sister.
My perfect evening is cuddling on the sofa with my fiancé and our 2 year old Staffy "Slate"
I am driven by growth. After years of struggling with my mental health and trying to ignore it, I chose to face it head on. I'm on a journey to becoming my happiest, healthiest self through movement, mindset and learning to let go. I am finally building a life I genuinely love, and I bring that same intention into everything I do.
You know those people who always knew what they wanted to do when they grew up? That was me.
From as young as 10 years old, I knew I wanted to work in the beauty industry. I can't even explain what initially drew me to it - I just knew.
I remember a friend of mine in primary school asking me what I wanted to be when I was older and I said I wanted to work in a spa and she thought I meant SPAR... as in the corner shop… I still laugh about this now.
After doing my work experience at a salon, I was sure beauty was something I wanted to take seriously.
When I left school, I went straight to college to complete my level 2 and 3 diploma in beauty therapy. Despite my teacher’s best efforts to get me to stay on for 6th form as I did really well in my GCSE’s. This same teacher told me that beauty was "a dead end career" and that I'd be wasted...Thank God, I didn't listen to her. I knew what I wanted and I was determined to get it.
I had worked in salon's for a few years, learning as much as I possibly could. The goal was always to be my own boss. Even at 19, I couldn’t imagine staying in a job with no progression, minimum wage and no control over my diary or working hours. So I soaked up as much knowledge and experience as I possibly could, taking notes of what I loved and what I would do differently.
In March 2020, during lockdown, I decided to start my own business.
When the lockdown lifted, I got straight to work. Initially, I only offered mobile spray tans alongside my full time job. I called myself Sprayed by Sarah (We don't talk about that name anymore :'))
As my business grew, I was able to start offering more treatments - nails, pedicure’s, lash lifts, brows and eventually waxing.
I was still working a 40 hour week and spending my evenings and weekends doing mobile clients. It was hard work, but I knew I was building for something bigger.
In February 2022, I took the leap and quit my employed job to focus on my business.
By that point, I'd learned everything I could from working for others - especially what was often missing in the industry. Hygiene, quality and attention to detail have always been non-negotiables for me, and I believe that's a huge part of why Altrd. is what it is today.
In March 2022, I started renting a desk in the back of a salon. Some days, I barely made my rent but I trusted myself and kept going. I put everything into improving my skills, my service and my brand. Slowly but surely, my diary started to fill.
By July, my business was supporting myself and my partner moving into our first home together - Something I'm incredibly proud of.
In January 2023, I moved into my own beautiful room inside Etch Clinic & Academy, giving my clients the space, privacy and experience I'd always envisioned. Several years and another rebrand later, I have built the most amazing, loyal client base and I couldn’t be more grateful.
I still have a long way to go with my career. I have so many goals I am yet to achieve but I am so proud of what I have built so far. Just me, my dreams, hard work and dedication.
To every client that comes through my door; thank you. You are the reason that ten year old me gets to live out her dream every single day.