We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Hernandez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.

Erica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

9 months into the pandemic I purchased a salon. It was a huge risk but we made it though our first year successfully!

I had been working for the pervious owner for 6 years and because of an injury she was forced into retirement. She was a wonderful boss and amazing mentor. I loved being a part of the team she built. I had been planning on purchasing the salon from her in the future but when the pandemic hit and circumstances changed we had to make the decision to go through with the purchase of the salon a little sooner than expected. It has been the greatest risk we have taken.

We have a great team of successful stylists and amazing clients! This year we are starting our own apprenticeship program. It’s been an amazing year. We’ve learned so much. I definitely had good and bad days but
I’m proud to say we made it through our first year! I feel super blessed and truly Grateful for all of our clients, family and friends who have supported us and my dream of owning a salon. I have to say I’m the very proud owner of Salon VIP in Goodyear, Arizona.

Erica, 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?

I am a salon owner(Salon VIP), hair stylist(@cosmoerica) and color specialist who’s been in the industry for over 10 years! Im absolutely in love with my career and I am so blessed to be able to help my clients look and feel amazing. I initially was going to go become a cosmetologist to have a trade while I went through traditional college. I never thought I would fall in love the way I did. Now I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.

I love hair so much that I put traditional college on hold until about 5 years into my career, while still working behind the chair, I also attended night classes at a Estrella community college and obtained a Certificate In Small Business Management. This has helped me with owning and managing my own salon.

My passion behind the chair is hand painted balayage and creative color but I find joy in many other aspects of hair styling.

I’ve fallen in love with the Amika brand and have been apart of the Amika stylist league for over a year now. The Stylist League is a group Of stylists who test Amika products and tools and give honest feedback to the Amika brand. We also give input on existing products and products we would like to see in the Amika line. This experience has let me see a different part of being a hairstylist And I get to have actual Input on a product brand I Love and believe in.

I’m so proud of the hard work I have put into my career. It has helped me get where I Am today. I feel like a well rounded stylist and salon owner. I’ve worked my way from the bottom and I feel like I still have so much more to accomplish.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I built my clientele from being consistent on social media and by referrals. The biggest tip in the beginning of my career was to have my client refer a family or friend. I also Feel like the best way I retained clients was to always be honest with my clients and Myself. I would let a client know if something they wanted was Realistic or not. Furthermore, I would Always correct my mistakes And take responsibility if something did not come out the way it was expected to. I have such a loyal clientele and I’m so lucky to be so busy.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of my new clients has been social media. Instagram in particular. We are lucky to be able To post Our entire portfolio online for new potential clients to see.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @cosmoerica
• Yelp: Salon VIP