Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Cardenas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Erica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My passion for hair started at a very early age. I remember when I was in middle school I would look up videos on how to do hair and practice on my friends or my mom. I was always finding different ways to play with my hair. Constantly changing my hair color and always trying to keep up with the latest trends.
The older I got the more I got into it. I started cutting my mothers hair, although I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! When I turned seventeen I started college at a young age. Everyday after school I would go straight to work. Where there happened to be a cosmetology school next door. I would see the students come in during lunch time and I started talking to them asking them questions about the school. I met student who encouraged me to pursue my passion on what I really loved doing.
I was afraid to make that step because I knew it would be a challenge considering I was a young mother so having to juggle a full-time job and fully committing to school full time was going to be tricky! But that didn’t stop me. I finally had made the decision to enroll although I knew I was facing obstacles. I graduated a year later after that and began my career in the hair industry.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ll admit that my journey in the hair industry hasn’t been all unicorn and rainbows. As a hairdresser you have to have that hustle mentality. Having to get out there and build your clientele. Getting on any type of social media and putting yourself out there. It has taken me a lot of patience and motivation to get me to where I am today. I have faced many challenges throughout the years of my career to where I started having doubts, but it has made me grow into a stronger person. I’ve learned to be more outgoing. To not be afraid to put myself out there. To get out there and meet new people. I’ve met very successful people throughout my journey that has motivated me to continue to expand my knowledge.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about M Salon – what should we know?
Working at M Salon I am surrounded by such amazing and talented artists. As a salon and as artist we want to make sure that the clients experience a great time while sitting in our chairs. I love building a relationship with each client and gain their trust where they can come and enjoy having a spa day, but also feel comfortable enough to vent out any issues they are having. My focus is to make each person have an experience where they walk out with a smile. Having great hospitality is one of my main focuses. I am proud to work for such an educational salon. To grow as an artist learning and experiencing new things. Being surrounded by other artists who share the same mindset as myself.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
In the hair industry, I believe having interpersonal skills is very important. You must like meeting new people being a good communicator and making people feel comfortable and relaxed. You must highly believe in your own ability, be decisive enough to make a quick decision, and then follow through with it without second-guessing yourself. Building your own confidence will give your client their trust in you. Marketing yourself. As with most personal service businesses, having to acquire your own clientele, that involves marketing or promoting your services and yourself in various manners. Stress managing and learning to cope under a lot of pressure is very important. Specially if you’re working in a salon with a high volume of clients.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3815 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77024
- Website: www.msalon.us
- Phone: 832-572-3100
- Email: ericah.cardenas@gmail.com
- Instagram: Ericapaints_
Image Credit:
Houston Photographer: Chris Wineinger, Other Images: Erica Cardenas
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