We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erica Erhart a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Erica, appreciate you joining us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

My journey in the beauty industry began with a simple goal: to become excellent at something I truly loved. After beauty school, I chose to work in a salon that prioritized continuing education so I could constantly grow and elevate my skills in cosmetology. I never wanted to be just one of many—I wanted to stand out. I worked hard to refine my craft so that when clients had options, they would choose me because they trusted my work and knew I genuinely cared.

For eight years, I built my clientele as a salon employee, always investing in learning, improving, and showing up for the people in my chair. Eventually, I took a leap of faith and became a booth renter. That step opened my eyes to what was possible—I realized I could build something of my own.

From there, the next natural step was opening my own salon. Today, I run a small business that is incredibly life-giving. I’m proud that something I love not only supports my family, but also allows me to make a difference by helping people feel confident, beautiful, and seen.

Owning a business comes with responsibility, but it has also given me a gift I value deeply—flexibility. It allows me to put my family first, which is the most important role I will ever have. Being a wife and a mom is my greatest calling, and my business is a beautiful extension of that life.

I’ve built something meaningful with my own two hands, and I’m grateful every day that my passion, my purpose, and my family can all grow together

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a hairstylist and small business owner who built my career on a deep love for helping people feel confident, beautiful, and seen. My journey started in cosmetology school, but I intentionally chose to work in a salon early on that emphasized continued education. I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do something, you should strive to be excellent at it—so I made it a priority to keep learning, refining my skills, and growing in my craft.

For eight years I worked as a salon employee, building a loyal clientele and investing in my development. I didn’t want to blend in—I wanted to stand out by offering not just great hair, but a great experience. I wanted my clients to feel heard, cared for, and confident that they were in good hands every time they sat in my chair.

Eventually, I took the leap into booth renting, which showed me what was possible when I took ownership of my work and my business. That step led me to opening my own salon—a small business that I’m incredibly proud of. Today, I provide customized hair services tailored to each client’s lifestyle, features, and goals. Whether it’s color, cuts, styling, or transformations, my focus is always on enhancing natural beauty and helping people feel like the best version of themselves.

What I really offer goes beyond hair. I create a space where people can relax, be cared for, and leave feeling refreshed inside and out. Many of my clients come to me not just for a service, but for trust, consistency, and a relationship built over time. I listen closely, educate my clients on how to maintain their look, and make sure they feel confident long after they leave the salon.

What sets me apart is the intention I bring to both my craft and my clients. I’ve never stopped investing in education, and I truly love what I do. I care about the details, the experience, and the person in front of me—not just the end result.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built a business that supports my family while also aligning with my values. As a wife and a mom of six, my family will always come first. Owning my own salon has given me the flexibility to be present for them while still pursuing a career that fulfills me and allows me to serve others in a meaningful way.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that my brand is built on heart, excellence, and authenticity. When someone chooses to sit in my chair, they’re not just getting a service—they’re getting someone who genuinely cares about them, their confidence, and how they feel every day when they walk out into the world.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the clearest examples of resilience in my journey has been building and sustaining my career while raising my six children. Throughout my time in the beauty industry, I’ve stepped away for each pregnancy and season of early motherhood—but every time, I’ve come back, rebuilt, and continued to grow my clientele.

There were seasons where it would have been easier to step away completely, but I’ve always had a deep passion for my craft and a commitment to the people I serve. I stayed connected, continued learning when I could, and trusted that consistency, care, and dedication would allow me to rebuild each time—and it did.

What this taught me is that success doesn’t always look like a straight line. Sometimes it looks like stepping back to care for your family and then stepping forward again with renewed purpose. I’m proud that I’ve been able to raise my babies, be present in those important early years, and still build a business that continues to grow.

That balance—between dedication to my career and devotion to my family—is something I’ve fought for and am incredibly grateful for. It’s shown me that you don’t have to choose one or the other—you can build something meaningful while still honoring what matters most.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation has been built on consistency, integrity, and the quality of my work. I’ve always been committed to doing what’s right for my clients and never compromising the outcome of my skills just to take shortcuts or follow trends that aren’t in their best interest. My clients trust that I will be honest, attentive, and deliver results that truly serve them.

Because of that, most of my growth has come through word of mouth and referrals. When people feel taken care of and love their results, they naturally share that experience with others. That kind of organic growth has been the foundation of my business, and it means a lot to me because it reflects genuine trust and satisfaction from my clients.

At the end of the day, I focus on doing great work and treating people well—and my reputation has grown from there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mysalonsuite.com/members/erica-erhart/
• Instagram: https://www.mysalonsuite.com/members/erica-erhart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootedsalonbyerica

Image Credits

Low county photography