We recently connected with Ericka Cherrie and have shared our conversation below.
Ericka, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.
I was fortunate to start in this industry at an early age. I’ve been in the beauty industry since I was a teenager (14 years old). I can remember being in high school. My friends and I would go to the mall and fill out job applications at fast food places such as McDonald’s, The Great Cookie and other stores. I realized that my friends were getting called for interviews, but I wasn’t. This was before all of the resources that we have today, such as Google or other search engines, I looked in the phone book one Saturday morning and highlighted every salon either in walking distance from my home or that I could get to by public transportation. I called every single one and asked if they needed a shampoo assistant. At first, I got a lot of no’s or opportunities that would clash with my school schedule. I kept following up with one lead that I could walk to within 15 minutes. I walked in on their busiest day, which was a Saturday, and was able to meet the owner. She took my information and after much persistence, she hired me as a shampoo assistant. Not long after I graduated from high school, and became a licensed cosmetologist. I got my first booth rental chair space in that salon “Mo Better Hair”, I stayed the salon assistant while I built my own client base(and following). I stayed at that location for 7 years.
Ericka, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In my 27 years in this industry, I have worked as a salon owner, an educator, and platform artist for major haircare brands such as Luster’s, ORS, and Crème of Nature. I’ve been a hair stylist and makeup artist working alongside other international artists during NYFW for fashion brands such as Marc Jacobs and Laquan Williams. My work has been featured on the big and small screen in movies, tv shows and commercials, and in magazines like Vouge and Elle. Those different roles have given me the opportunity to experience hair styling and haircare from a vast perspective while working with all hair textures and personality types. I believe that my biggest strength is my ability to pivot when necessary and create various streams of income within this industry. During the pandemic, I couldn’t service anyone in person. I utilized that time to focus on creating my own haircare line; Legacy Haircare, that solves some of the main issues I see people suffering from on a daily basis. I wanted to solve the most prevalent issues with hair loss, healthy hair growth, and maintaining moisture in the hair. I collaborated with a cosmetic chemist to formulate products with ingredients I know works well with the customers that I serve.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
From my experience, I believe that in order to be successful You also have to be knowledgeable about the many different aspects of running a business and putting the systems in place for repetitive processes. A business owner can wear many hats at times, however, In order to see growth you have to step out of trying to fill all the roles within the business and hire help. Don’t be afraid to reinvest into your business!
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
N0! I would choose this career path time and time again. There are so many avenues within the beauty industry that you can pursue as a licensed cosmetologist that have nothing to do with standing behind a chair providing styles, cuts, and color. I’m studying trichology, which specializes in restoring hair loss, and utilizing that knowledge to produce products for the Legacy Haircare brand. You must continue learning and evolving to stay successful. Find your niche and work it!
Where to find me
@erickacherriebeauty on social media
Or the brand @leagcyhaircare
Contact Info:
- Website: Shoplegacyhaircare.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/erickacherriebeauty
- Facebook: Ericka cherrie
- Youtube: Legacy haircare
- Other: Createthebeautiful.com
Image Credits
Photography Aisha Butler Makeup artist Perryn Morris Clothing stylist Ashanti