We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Mer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.
Alright, Erica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
Being a successful business owner is a powerful label that I happily acknowledge. As a freelance creative, there are definite ups and downs that come with being in the entertainment industry. For me, the pros outweigh the cons. For one, I am able to work with artistic, creative, open-minded people on a regular basis. I am constantly being challenged and growing as an artist and woman! Now, I’m human, so yes, I have the thoughts now and again, What am I doing? Would things be easier if I had a 9-5 job? Understand the meaning of the word ‘consistency’? The answer, after some thought though, is always a resounding no. I wouldn’t trade where I am, not for anything.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I started in the entertainment industry when I was six years old as a child actress. After many years, I decided to get behind the camera, which led me to production. Working in the production department allowed me to see behind the curtain, learning what it takes for a shoot to go from start to finish, which I carry with me to this day. Now, I’m in wardrobe, which I’ve worked in for the past 13 years.
Having been an actress, I like to tell stories with the clothing. From commercials to advertising to magazines, I am hired as a wardrobe stylist by the brand or client to bring their vision to life.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I find a person’s reputation is based on both their personality and work ethic. In addition, the way one communicates will impact whether clients want to continue hiring you. People know me to be a perfectionist who pays very close attention to detail, which is a trait I am proud of. Me and my team complement my perfectionism by bringing a serene and calm energy on set. Don’t get me wrong, I get stressed and run a tight ship internally, but I hold myself accountable and acknowledge if I cross any lines. Having worked with so many different kinds of people throughout my career has taught me how I want to be as both a boss and a human.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The entertainment industry teaches you about resilience as a whole. Let’s just say the industry brings with it a lot of constant rejection and disappointment. As a freelancer, you are always waiting for the next project, so when you are asked to hold, a huge amount of excitement builds because we need the confirmation. When you’re told no, it’s a challenge to not take it personally and question your abilities. Sometimes, this can happen over and over before finally confirming a job. Also, keep in mind that the majority of people are hired because they know someone who knows someone, and it has nothing to do with your knowledge or skill set. All of this has taught me to be a very resilient and strong woman. Someone who doesn’t question their ability or skill, more times than not.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ericamer.com
- Instagram: ericas_style