Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Erickson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hannah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Right after graduating high school, I knew I wanted to be a part of the fashion and beauty industry. I had been saving some money from the after-school job I had since my sophomore year of high school and had finally saved enough for my first apartment. I grew up in Steamboat Springs Colorado. I made the decision of enrolling in school in Denver at the Aveda Institute. Shortly after turning 18, I made the big move to the city and started my dream of becoming an editorial stylist. I went to school for three days a week for 10 hours a day and on my days off, I was a server at the Hard Rock Cafe working double shifts. I was busy but loved the hustle. Two years later, I had graduated from school and decided to pursue my dream of moving to California. I drove my 1998 stick shift jeep wrangler all the way to San Diego and stayed with friends for a couple of days until I found my own apartment to live in. I took my cosmetology state boards in both Colorado and California and was ready to officially get my first job in the industry. I found a job assisting a very busy salon owner named Joel in UTC. I assisted him for a year and learned so much from him on how to be a successful and passionate hairstylist. My skill set was ready to take my own clients. I got a new job at a salon located on the La Jolla Cove named Dleux Hair. Starting at a new salon, I had to go through a whole entirely new training program because I made the decision to specialize in cutting hair. I went through an intensive six months of finding multiple haircutting models five days a week learning the Vidal Sassoon cutting criteria. After my six months of advanced training, I began to build my own clientele. Im still here working for Dleux Hair. I get inspired every single day from the clients I have been cutting since the beginning of my haircutting journey and the new clients I meet every single day. I love having a job with limitless options to keep moving forward.
Has it been a smooth road?
In any situation you put yourself in, I think there are always going to be obstacles along the road. My journey has most definitely had some uncomfortable moments. I moved out of my parent’s house when I was 17 years old and have been solely financially responsible for myself ever since. My family situation is complicated (who’s isn’t?), which has made me very independent. This comes with times that have made me feel like I didn’t have support, and I was left to face the world alone. Luckily, I have an amazing group of mentors and friends that give me all the love in the world. I have had days where my bills eat up all my money and I have had to have “make it work” moments. At the beginning of my career, I was working 50-60 hour work weeks on minimum wage. I was getting an amazing education training under some of the most talented hairstylists that I’m now lucky to call my friends. During this time, I had to look at the bigger picture and realize I was receiving an amazing education learning about face structures, consultations, body language, cutting techniques, and all of these amazing things that were going to shape my future. Something that money can’t buy. I was coming to work every single day inspired by my dream to make it in the beauty industry. Moving to San Diego I did not know anybody. Building a clientele from scratch can be discouraging. I have had to put all my energy on getting people to come to sit in my chair. This really put me outside my comfort zone. I have asked random people in the grocery store to come and see me. I am constantly marketing myself where ever I go. I had to put my ego aside and realize it’s okay for people to tell me no. It’s okay to be rejected sometimes. Taking the risk of possibly having a potential client is way better than not having clients at all. People are amazing and you would be surprised how many strangers are willing to help you out if you take the courage to just ask.
My advice to women in the beginning stages is to put yourself in situations to make yourself grow. Keep getting better and moving forward. Eventually, you’re going to realize that your exactly where you need to be and you once dreamed of being where you are now. Appreciate the journey. Keep making goals! Also, writing to do lists is a great way to get stuff done.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a hair cutting specialist in La Jolla. I work for a salon called Dleux Hair. I work with a team of makeup artists, hair colorists, and haircutters to bring out our clients best features and desired looks. I have trained with Tony and Guy, Vidal Sassoon, Aveda, and many other companies. I love precision hair-cutting. There is such a science to it. Everything is cut to a certain angle, the sections are so clean, and the outcome is truly a piece of art. Precision hair-cutting is also so detail oriented. Every hair counts. I have studied face shapes and different bone structures to know what looks good with certain faces and what does not flatter someone’s features. I am very proud to work with a team that puts so much energy into making our clients feel and look their best. We put so much care and thought into our work which is what sets us aside from other salons.
My favorite part of being a stylist is making my clients feel beautiful. So often, we, as people are so hard on ourselves. Self-care is so important. I have become so close to my clients over the years and sometimes feel like a therapist. I wouldn’t have it any other way! My clients inspire me every single day with their stories and their struggle that they make it through. Being a hairstylist can also be very educational! I have worked on so many smart individuals that tell me about there everyday life such as scientists, the creative director of lulu lemon, lawyers on the supreme court, professors, actresses, and bloggers. I come across all walks of life every single day and not knowing what is going to walk through the door keeps me on my toes. I have watched some of my clients beat cancer, run marathons and conquer so many goals. Getting to know people beyond a surface level is a beautiful thing.
I also do hair for weddings and editorial when im not in the salon. I love doing hair for runway and photography! I have published work for companies such as urban outfitters and have worked Denver fashion week. Working with local photographer’s is also so much fun. I love collaborating with other artists to create something magical. Collaboration over competition any day!
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
My advice to women starting their journey is to change your perspective and believe in yourself. Every situation has something positive. I am so grateful for all the negative things that have ever happened to me because it has shaped me and made me such a better person. No dream is easily obtained. Hard work fills my heart with so much love and emotion that when I do reach a goal its so much more enjoyable than it would have been if it was easily attained. It’s the moments where I did not know how I was gonna get there but deep in my heart knew I was going to get there that make me inspired. Nobody but yourself is going to make the life you dream of for yourself happen. Believe in yourself and put yourself in uncomfortable situations. This is where growth happens. Also, be present and open your eyes to all the wonderful things happening around you at this very moment. Every day that we wake up with a healthy body and a positive mindset is a gift. If you take steps towards your goal every single day, there is nowhere to move but forward. Anything is possible when you believe you can do it. Also, self-love is key. Exercise, eat healthily and have fun. When you love yourself, you can love others. And I find the times when I’m so full of love is when I am thriving in life. Happiness is a success. Be grateful for everything and remember everything always works out. Also, having balance is key. I love to balance out my work life with the other things I love like yoga, surfing, hiking, traveling, and longboarding.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8008 Girard Ave Suite 110 La Jolla, CA 92037
- Website: dleux.com
- Phone: 858-456-6399
- Instagram: @hannahericksonn @romanticshaircollection
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