Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Newlin.
Erika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story starts back in 2017 when I decided sales was not my calling. I had a friend going to cosmetology school at the time and after hearing how life-changing it was for her, I took the leap to enroll at Ogle school in Arlington!! I originally wanted to do nails going into school but once I started, I fell in love with hair!! I love the feeling of making women feel beautiful but I also wanted to make money doing it!! So I took all the extra classes I could! Lashes, extensions, Microblading… everything and I loved it all so why not do it all?? Fast forward to my graduation and I had no idea where I was going to work that would allow me to wear all the hats I wanted to, until I met Amber, the owner of Sugar Shack salon and spa in Arlington!! We clicked instantly and she let me be me and has helped me grow into the person I am today!! I’ve been with Sugar Shack for almost two years and I specialize in hair, lashes and Microblading!!!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is anything ever smooth? Haha, After high school, I went to TCC and lasted about a year or so until I was completely burnt out from school. I moved to Florida for a few years and failed miserably, so I came back home to Texas and started in industrial sales. After years of hating sales, I finally took the jump into cosmetology school! I always wanted to do something that helped others but also creative and never boring! I found that with the beauty industry! My road wasn’t smooth because I always put others first, causing all the bumps but once I did what I wanted my road has gotten way less bumpy!!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Oh, Sugar Shack where do I start?? First, off Amber Cordova the amazing owner, wanted a space where our clients could come and feel at home but with a spunky fun vibe!! Nothing is EVER boring at the shack! Sugar Shack specializes in balayage, vivids, blonde, cuts, hair extensions and much more! Then there’s me!! I specialize in not only everything listed above but I’m also the resident lash and cosmetic tattoo artist!! I am most proud of how fast we are growing and the team Amber has brought together!! We are just a big family who love to help and learn from each other while making our clients feel wonderful and beautiful!!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have a couple so I’ll start with my parents! They didn’t always support the dream of me going to cosmetology school. Of course, as any parent, you want your kid to go to college and get a degree, but that wasn’t for me. (Maybe on day I’ll finish) anyway after I enrolled and found my calling they came around. My mom helped me with classes when I couldn’t afford them and gave me a job caring for my younger brother so I wasn’t so stressed with sales and school! They still continue to support me everyday! Another person who deserves credit is Amber Cordova! I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her giving me a chance fresh out of school with no experience! I’m so grateful for the opportunity she has given me!! She’s also someone I look up to not only as a mentor but as a businesswomen! She has created an amazing salon that keeps growing everyday! Also, a BIG shout out to the sugar squad who not only hypes me up everyday but we all hype each other up! Working with these wonderful ladies everyday is all the support I need!!
Pricing:
- Lashes $100 – $200
- Microblading $350 – $450
Contact Info:
- Address: 2927 South Cooper St Arlington, TX 76015
- Phone: 817-200-6216
- Instagram: @erikadaniele
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erika.newlin
Image Credit:
@jay_fuertez
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