Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Stewart.
Hi Erin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My passion for hair started when I was 12. I remember sitting in a styling chair, having my hair colored for the very first time.
And I fell in love.
The way the stylist placed the foils for my highlights. The way my hair changed in such a short amount of time. The confidence boost I felt once my hair was done. From that day on, I’ve loved everything about the experience–so much so that I started paying close attention to the way my stylist worked.
Each time I’d go in to get my hair done, I’d watch everything she did. I started picking up on different techniques she’d use and the different outcomes each produced. Pretty soon, I was able to request specific techniques for my hair to achieve my desired look!
After a while, I felt like I understood the process of getting my color done.
I loved the science. I loved the art. And I loved the way both worked together to make something new and beautiful. I also knew I wanted to be a hairstylist, someday. I wanted to give clients their dream hair and the confidence boost that goes along with it!
So I followed my heart–but not before someone took a piece of my heart.
When I turned 19, I welcomed my first daughter into the world. Yes, I was young. Yes, it was overwhelming at times. Yes, my daughter became the most important thing in my life…and I wasn’t going to let any obstacle stand in my way of giving her an amazing life filled with opportunity and fun and love.
So, off I went to begin my professional training to become a hairstylist in the winter of 2013. I knew I’d be passionate about the career, because I knew I’d love being a hairstylist–it had been my dream since I was 12.
Of course, during my time in beauty school, I fell even more deeply in love with the industry!
The education was very fun for me. Hair-coloring chemistry was my favorite. And I felt the fire ignite inside of my for my future career. I graduated my professional training in the summer of 2015.
And then things took off. I began my career as a hairstylist at a fast-paced chain salon. There were long days filled with long hours, but my clientele grew extremely fast. Pretty soon, I was fully booked with repeat clients who were asking more more and more technical colors. I wanted to be sure to give them the time and attention each needed, so I decided to open up my own business.
“Hair By Erin Stewart” was launched in May 2018.
It was right from the start. I enjoyed having more time to devote to my clients. I loved being able to be there for them, whenever they needed me. I wanted the freedom of being able to choose how I ran my business and built my brand.
Today, I’ve been an independent hairstylist for nearly four years! I still have many of the same clients I met fresh out of school, and many new clients have found me through personal and professional referrals.
I have the absolute best clients, who I love and appreciate so much. They’re like family to me. Together, we’ve been through many of life’s most important moments. I’ve had the honor and privilege of doing hair before weddings, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and other big events. And they’ve been there for me as I got engaged and planned a wedding right before the covid-19 pandemic. They were there for me when we had to postpone that wedding. And they shared in the joy when I finally got married to my amazing husband Jordan in October of 2020. Then they watched as I worked through my pregnancy before welcoming our second baby girl into the world in August 2021! I just have to say, my new daughter has the best big sister!
I’ve learned a lot about balance over the last few years. I’m a Mom, wife, business owner, friend and person who can’t help but keep up with the latest trends. I’m always on the lookout for new trainings and techniques that keep me on top of my game. And then there’s the continuing education.
My passion for my career continues to grow as fast as my family.
And that’s one of the things about balance that I’ve learned–that it’s OK to take a small step back from your career, to do the other things in life that ignite a fire in you! I’m glad I was able to build my business and fall in love, get married, grow my family and continue to grow within myself.
And I’m glad I was able to do it all while running my business.
I feel more than thankful for my career as a hairstylist and for everyone that has been a part of my journey so far. I feel blessed. I feel honored to have clients who trust me with their hair. And I feel like it’s a dream come true.
I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in my life! A business owner, a wife and a mother of two amazing daughters.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say a challenge that I have faced was navigating being a young mom while working hard to establish my place in the industry!
Luckily I have had an amazing support team throughout my journey to help me along the way!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like to think of my work as enhancing my clients’ natural features. Each and every client is so unique and beautiful in their own way and I love to work with the natural tones in their hair and bringing out that natural beauty!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I truly believe if you are not taking risks then you were not growing to your full potential! Never be afraid to get something wrong because when that happens you learn from it! And when you are learning you are growing! The biggest risk take that I have taken in my career thus far, was opening my own salon suite and realizing that it wasn’t for me. Sometimes we take risks and leaps of faith and they do not work out, that is okay!
Pricing:
- $250 mini blonde maintenance for regular clients
- $300 partial blonde maintenance for regular clients
- $350+ blonde transformation for regular and new clients
- $170 one step color
- $600-$2000 initial hair extension application $200-$400 extension maintenance
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hairbyerinstewart.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hairbyerinnstewart
Image Credits
@hairbyerinnstewart
@ic.photos.mn
