Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Baez.
Hi Erika, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started hair when I was 16, I was the beauty girl of the family. I started with doing all of my family’s hair for weddings and special events. However, when I turned 18 up until last year I spent years working in the pharmacy because it was the path my mom and dad wanted for me, and I did my best to make them proud by following it. But deep down, I always knew my true passion was hair . Eventually, after 5 years in the pharmacy and 2 years of college as a bio chem major, side hair hustles and beauty school, I made the brave choice to step away from what was expected of me and finally follow my own dreams. That’s when I really committed to the career that truly lights me up and allows me to express my creativity every single day. I now rent a chair at a lovely salon and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe that everyone’s journey is personalized for their life lessons, that being said I went through exactly what I had to so that I could end up where I am now. The valuable lessons I learned showed me my true flaws and how to improve them. Choosing to go to beauty school was one of the toughest yet simplest decisions I’ve ever had to make, because I knew it meant disappointing my dad and stepping away from the path he envisioned for me, which to this day he won’t admit that he’s still not keen on the choice I made however I don’t let it get to me anymore. It wasn’t easy to walk away from the stability I had built in the pharmacy only to start all over again in a completely different field. But even through the fear, the doubt, and the weight of letting others down, I knew I had to follow my heart. That decision became the turning point that allowed me to build a life and career I truly love. Leaving college was difficult because I felt guilty and angst of doing the opposite of what everyone wanted me to do. I became the “college dropout” of the family. I felt many moments of doubt along the way but I stayed committed and I don’t regret any of it. The lessons I learned along the way were always seek peace and happiness, always trust your gut and stay honest with yourself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In the beauty industry I enjoy working on all hair types and all different range of styles such as Creative color and cutting, balayages, precision cutting, even men’s haircuts. I particularly focus on curly hair, That is my most popular service is curly haircutting. The curly services I provide include curl knowledge and product knowledge that the client can learn and apply. As a stylist my number one goal is that the client understands their hair and how to work with it and maintain it. I educate my clients on anything and everything.
What sets my work apart is the way I merge science with artistry. With my background in pharmacy, I bring a deep understanding of hair structure, chemistry, and how products truly interact on a molecular level. I use that knowledge to create healthy, lasting results while still embracing modern, creative, and artistic styles. It’s not just about making hair look beautiful—it’s about combining science and art to make sure it feels strong, vibrant, and customized for each individual. My clients leave my chair feeling confident in not only the way they look but with the knowledge they take away when they walk out of the salon.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Mentorship is one of the most valuable parts of growth, especially when you find the right person to guide you. Having someone who’s been where you want to go can save you from mistakes, open doors, and help you see things from a new perspective. But it’s not just about the mentor—it’s about how you show up too. Going into it open-minded, patient, humble, and willing to learn will take you further than you ever imagined, because that’s when true growth and transformation happen. It’s so important to be sponge and absorb ALL the information around you. Observing salon dynamics, business tactics, social interactions, salon professionalism, ergonomics, techniques for hair color, cutting etc. There’s so much to learn than just the hair itself, ur learning how you fit into the industry. You will never stop learning .
I spent around 6 months at a salon in South Park where I did my assistant training and I learned so much, top tier hair training however, I felt out of place in that salon in terms of my personality and how I didn’t fit into that salon social dynamics. From there I moved to a salon in Chula Vista for 2 years and there I learned some of the most valuable lesson in the industry, business and life in general. There I learned the Good, the bad and the ugly, however it’s not to say that I am truly grateful for the experience I had. I now work in a salon where I rent a chair and can proudly say I work for myself. I have never felt happier so far !
Pricing:
- Curly cutting $90-$125
- color $120+
- Haircuts $65+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stardustbeautybyerika.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stardustbeautybyerika?igsh=MWZtMmhzdXFzbTNzNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
