Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericaa Copes.
Hi Ericaa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been drawn to beauty for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are watching my mom do her makeup, nails, and hair, and being completely fascinated by the process. I was always the girly who wanted to be involved. I would glue on press-on nails in every length imaginable and eventually graduated to the Sally Beauty acrylic kit. In elementary and middle school, I was doing my own hair and my nieces’ hair before realizing pretty quickly that hair was a lot of work at a young age. From there, I naturally gravitated toward makeup, nails, and other areas of beauty.
By middle and high school, I already knew beauty was something I wanted to be a part of, but I decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business because I knew I wanted to understand the business side of whatever I eventually built. While in college, I worked at a tattoo shop in addition to working at Marshall’s and a high-end consignment store. My time at the tattoo shop was a major turning point because I began doing microblading, which introduced me to the world of brows and sparked a passion that has continued to grow.
After college, I was ready to pursue beauty school and turn that passion into a career, but COVID delayed that process. Once I had the opportunity, I went all in and pursued esthetics and manicuring, allowing me to develop my skills in both skincare and nails.
From the beginning, I knew I didn’t want to limit myself to just one area of beauty. I wanted to specialize in brows, nails, lashes, and skin and create an experience where clients could come to one place to feel cared for, confident, and beautiful.
That vision eventually became BeautèologyCo. What started as something I had been naturally drawn to since childhood has grown into a business that combines my creativity, education, and love for making people feel good about themselves. And honestly, I feel like I’m still at the beginning of what I’m building.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly, I don’t think any entrepreneurial journey is. COVID was one of my first major obstacles because I had planned my life out and suddenly everything changed. It delayed my plans to enter the beauty industry and forced me to become comfortable with things not always happening on my timeline.
I also had to navigate some resistance from my family. At times, my parents didn’t understand or see the beauty industry as a serious career path. Rather than letting that discourage me, it made me even more determined to prove that beauty is a legitimate industry, a real business, and something that deserves to be taken seriously.
After beauty school, I worked for several companies while building my own clientele and social media presence. I started with a small studio focused primarily on nails while still working for a brow/beauty company. Over the past year and a half, I’ve had multiple suites and have continued to evolve what I want my business to look like.
One of my biggest turning points came in March, when I decided to go all in on myself. I stepped away from working for other beauty companies and began working as an instructor at a cosmetology school while putting that same energy into building BeautèologyCo. Balancing teaching, growing a business, and continuing to develop as a beauty professional has definitely come with its own trials and tribulations.
There has been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears behind where I am today, but I’m incredibly grateful for every part of the journey. Every obstacle has pushed me to become more intentional about the business I’m building. And the funny thing is, I still feel like I haven’t even reached the level I ultimately plan to go. This is only the beginning for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BeautéologyCo is a beauty and wellness brand specializing in brows, nails, lashes, and skincare, with a strong focus on personalized services and creating an elevated yet welcoming experience for every client. Brows have always been at the heart of my business, and I’ve become especially known for brow shaping, laminations, and tinting. As the brand has grown, I’ve expanded my offerings to create a more well-rounded beauty experience rather than limiting myself to one specialty.
What sets BeautéologyCo apart is the intention behind the experience. I want clients to feel like they’re stepping into a space where they can relax, feel cared for, and leave feeling confident—not simply come in for a service and leave. I’m very particular about the products I use, the details of each service, and continuing my education so I can provide quality work while staying current within the industry.
I’m also proud that BeautéologyCo represents the fact that there are many different paths within the beauty industry. In addition to being a business owner and beauty professional, I’m an educator, teaching aspiring beauty professionals and sharing the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my own journey.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that BeautéologyCo is much bigger than what happens inside my suite. It’s the beginning of a larger vision for beauty, education, community, and eventually creating opportunities for other beauty professionals to build something of their own. I’m proud of how far the brand has come, but I’m even more excited about where it’s going.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’ve learned that mentorship doesn’t always have to look like having one person who guides you through your entire career. For me, networking and staying open to learning have been a huge part of my growth.
I’m constantly learning—whether that’s trying different techniques through trial and error, picking the brains of other professionals, networking with people in the industry, or investing in continued education. I’ve found that you can learn something valuable from almost everyone if you’re willing to listen and ask questions.
My biggest advice is to stay curious and don’t be afraid to put yourself in rooms where you can learn. Build genuine relationships, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow. You never know which conversation, connection, or piece of advice will influence your next step.
I also think it’s important to remember that mentorship can be reciprocal. As I’ve grown in my own career, especially now that I teach aspiring beauty professionals, I’ve realized that you can be learning and pouring into someone else at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beauteologyco.com
- Instagram: @beauteologyco
