We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erin Bonugli. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erin below.
Erin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.
One of the most formative experiences in my career began in Scottsdale, Arizona, where I apprenticed at a men’s and women’s hair replacement center. What made that opportunity especially meaningful was that the owner had once been my own hairstylist during a very difficult time in my life.
As a teenager, I was diagnosed with leukemia and went through chemotherapy, which led to significant hair loss. At that age, losing your hair isn’t just physical—it deeply affects your sense of identity and confidence. My stylist played a huge role in helping me feel like myself again. He showed me that beauty and confidence could be restored, even in the hardest moments.
That experience stayed with me, and it ultimately led me to apprentice under him. I learned how to work with wigs, hair systems, and extensions. But more importantly, I learned how powerful this work can be. Hair is so much more than appearance—it’s tied to how people see themselves.
During my apprenticeship, I worked with clients experiencing hair loss for many different reasons—medical conditions, genetics, and life changes. Being able to help them regain a sense of confidence and normalcy was incredibly fulfilling. It reinforced my belief that what we do goes far beyond hair—it’s about helping people feel whole again.
That chapter of my life continues to shape how I approach my work today, with empathy, intention, and a deep understanding of the emotional side of beauty.
Erin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey into this industry has always been rooted in artistry, connection, and an appreciation for how transformative beauty can be. What began as a personal passion for hair evolved into a career centered around creating elevated, meaningful experiences for my clients.
The defining moment came when one of my clients asked me to style her hair for her wedding day. She also needed makeup, and at the time, my best friend Kristen was a makeup artist with Aveda. I invited her to collaborate with me, and from that very first wedding, we both recognized the seamless synergy we shared. There was an ease and intention to our work that felt special—and it was in that moment that Prim and Powder was born.
We officially launched in 2013, in a time when building a business required a more personal, hands-on approach. We cultivated our presence through genuine relationships—connecting directly with venue owners, wedding planners, and photographers—while simultaneously refining our craft through advanced training and portfolio development. That foundation of both artistry and relationship-building continues to define us today.
Over the years, Prim and Powder has grown into a curated team of seven exceptionally talented artists. Each member is carefully selected not only for their technical skill, but for their professionalism, presence, and ability to deliver a consistently elevated client experience.
We specialize in on-location bridal hair and makeup, offering a refined, seamless experience tailored to each individual client. Our work is rooted in timeless beauty—enhancing, never overpowering—and designed to photograph effortlessly while lasting throughout the day’s events.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to both excellence and intention. We understand that a wedding day is not just an event—it is a deeply personal milestone. Our role extends beyond beauty services; we bring a sense of calm, structure, and quiet confidence to the environment. From precise timing to thoughtful communication, every detail is handled with care.
I am most proud of the trust our clients place in us. To be invited into such an intimate and meaningful moment—and to consistently deliver at the highest level—is something we never take for granted.
At its core, Prim and Powder is about more than hair and makeup. It is about creating a polished, elevated experience where clients feel confident, supported, and effortlessly beautiful.
Have you ever had to pivot?
One of the most defining pivots in my career came during COVID, when the wedding industry came to a complete halt. As a team that is fully self-employed, our business depends entirely on the work we do—and suddenly, that work disappeared overnight.
At the same time, our brides were facing their own heartbreak. Weddings they had spent months, sometimes years, planning were being postponed or canceled. It was an incredibly emotional time, not just from a business standpoint, but on a very human level.
In that moment, I knew our role had to shift. Instead of focusing on the loss of income, we focused on showing up for our clients in a different way. We became a source of support, flexibility, and calm during a very uncertain time. We worked closely with each bride to reschedule services, adjust timelines, and reassure them that whenever their day did happen, we would be there.
Internally, it was also a moment of growth. We used the downtime to refine our processes, invest in continued education, and elevate our overall client experience. It allowed us to come back stronger, more intentional, and more aligned as a team.
What that season reinforced for me is that true leadership isn’t just about how you operate when things are going well—it’s about how you show up when everything is uncertain. We chose to lead with empathy, patience, and integrity.
When weddings returned, they felt even more meaningful. And because of how we navigated that time, we not only retained our clients, but deepened those relationships in a way that continues to impact our business today.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
In the early days of building our business, my partner and I were fueled entirely by passion—but we had very little experience actually running a business. We were focused on our craft and on building relationships, and the operational side was something we quickly realized we had underestimated.
Our “systems” at the time were very scrappy. We managed bookings on a handwritten calendar, used a contract we found online that clients had to print, sign, and scan back to us, and our first logo cost about $25. It worked—until it didn’t.
There were definitely a few moments that felt like near disasters at the time. One that still stands out is when we showed up to the wrong wedding venue…an hour away from where we were actually supposed to be. That was a full panic moment. Another was forgetting to log a trial appointment, only to have a client arrive at my door at 7 a.m. completely unannounced—at least to me. Moments like that are humbling in the best way.
As stressful as those experiences were, they became turning points for us. We realized very quickly that if we wanted to grow—and more importantly, deliver the level of professionalism our clients deserved—we needed to invest in proper systems.
That’s when we made the decision to bring in support and have a CRM built specifically for our business. It completely transformed how we operate. From booking and contracts to communication and scheduling, everything became more streamlined, reliable, and elevated.
Looking back, those “close calls” were some of our greatest teachers. They forced us to step into the role of true business owners, not just artists. And ultimately, they allowed us to build a brand that is not only creative, but also structured, dependable, and trusted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.primandpowder.com
- Instagram: @Primandpowder
- Facebook: Prim and Powder
Image Credits
Photographer: Jesse Scofield