Erica Drayton, owner of Erica’s Beautiful Journey Hair Studio in Norfolk, VA, certifies cosmetologists in eyelash extensions and offers her own hair care product.
A bit of a renegade, she defied gravity and went from Zero to 60 in less than 8 months!
Here’s her story…
“A fabulous hairstyle is a given. What I give my clients is much greater. I’m concerned about the health of my clients’ hair, promoting hair growth, and getting it back to its right condition.
I work on building relationships.
That’s why I don’t double book clients. My clients get my undivided attention. I know how long it takes to do a hairstyle, one at a time. My clients’ time is their time with me. We talk about a lot more than hair and share our personal stories.
This personal one-on-one attention is only possible because I run my EBJ Salon out of a Salon Plaza Studio.
My Mom Didn’t Believe Me!
At age 12 I taught myself how to braid and my dad bought me my first curling iron set. One time after I’d done something I shouldn’t, my mom told me I wasn’t allowed out. So to fill in the time, I did my hair up.
My mom made me wash my hair out and do it again in front of her. She thought I had disobeyed her and gone out to get it done!
She didn’t believe I had done it myself!
After graduating from high school I attended Capri Beauty School in Chicago, then went to work for a hair salon. Because my husband is military, we never stay in the same spot for long. In 2007 we moved to Arizona where I learned to do Mink eyelash extensions.
How I Found Out About Salon Plaza
Less than a year ago we moved again, this time to Norfolk, VA. While searching on Google for a new place to work, I found a salon called, “For the Love of Hair”.
Something about it appealed to me, so I called the salon to see if they had any openings….
As it turned out, it was an individual private Studio Salon at Salon Plaza. The owner was really great. She told me I could do the same and own my own shop. Right away I called for a tour and began developing my relationship with Julie Badura, Salon Plaza’s Area Leader in Virginia.
Julie was really honest with me. Since I was brand new in town, she told me I had to build my own clientele. She suggested I do that first at a Hair Cuttery and then come back. Without hesitating I replied,
“No, I’m not going to do that.”
She asked, “You’ve only been here two weeks and you still want to sign? I said,
“Yes ma’am!”
I saw something I wanted and believed in it. I just walked into this with the help of God. I thought, “This is what I want to do and where I want to do it.” I didn’t know how or where my clients would come from, but I believe it was God pushing me in the right direction.
It Was Up To Me To Be Confident
On November 2, 2012 I opened up my own salon named “Erica’s Beautiful Journey” – or EBJ Hair Salon.
Why I Love Salon Plaza:
My Salon Plaza Studio Salon is something I can call mine. An only child, I don’t want to share certain things. With a Salon Plaza Studio, I get to be my own boss. It’s very private. I can set it up the way that suits me and give my clients the service they deserve.
Salon Plaza Is Stretching Me
It’s making me become more responsible. With my own salon, I must keep the hours – I can’t come in late. I have to be open for my clients. Unlike a multi-chair salon that someone else runs, the doors stay shut until I open them.
I’m passionate about what I do, and I push myself. My first love is doing hair. That and going to church and having a relationship with God.
I had to struggle to get to where I am today. It wasn’t easy. I didn’t have anyone to hold my hand. All I had was God. Hair is all I know. I have to work harder and believe in myself. I don’t have a Plan B.
I’m My Own Motivator
I’m the one that has to look at me every day in the mirror and say,
“I can do this.”
Anybody who wants to discover if they really have the backbone to own a salon can come to Salon Plaza to stretch yourself and build your clientele.
Salon Plaza is the Bomb.com
If you had the keys in hand to your own salon, would you succeed? Discover how ready you are right now to… Own It!
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