Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Watson
Hi Erin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was 25, an unexpected opportunity fell into my lap. Someone I knew was retiring, and she offered to sell her salon space to me.. It was small, run down, outdated and pink. Everything was pink, from the floors to the ceiling! My answer to her would have been “heeeeeeell to the nooo” if it weren’t for an unusual encounter with an older woman just a few years prior who said to me: “God told me to tell you that one day, you will leave this job to do something that God wants you to do.”
Mind you, I laughed at this and thought, “no way.” I never in a million years thought that I was someone that could successfully open and grow a salon company, and it definitely wasn’t something I wanted. But oddly, her voice and those words were all I could hear in my head when this offer was presented to me, and I couldn’t shake it. At the time, I was young, newly married with a mortgage and didn’t have a lot of money; so the thought of leaving my secure job for something totally unstable was not appealing to me. Regardless I thought, if there really is a God and this is what He wants me to do, maaaaaybe it’s worth at least entertaining for a hot minute; and when I find that this project is more than I can afford, then I can walk away with a clear conscience.
Long story short, and many miracles later, I decided to go for it. I remodeled every square inch of that space and took it over. I worked there with my mother as my receptionist for awhile, and eventually became pregnant with my daughter. Not sure what to do, I panicked and prayed for God to send help! Shockingly within a few months, I had 2 old friends reach out to join my team, and so I was covered during my maternity leave. During that time (and long prior), my marriage became a toxic situation, and my husband and I separated. Little did I know, this business would end up being what got me through the darkest times of my life- 1. for the distraction, 2. for the ability to make my own schedule and take off for court and custody hearings sometimes multiple times per week.
Fast forward to today, I have found a new passion. Since my divorce, (and several following custody disputes), I have met many people in similar situations; consequently I’ve learned that a wopping 70% of people in the beauty industry are single parents!! That’s a lot!! So it has become clear to me that God’s mission for me is to help people in this industry learn how to not only survive, but THRIVE, with a schedule that allows full-time financial potential in part-time hours that suit a balanced/family lifestyle. Often, as I’ve lived, single parents have to be available to take kids to school, pick them up from school, stay home at a moment’s notice when they’re sick, etc. It’s a difficult job to manage alone. What we need are workplaces with more flexibility, understanding, and support for women and people with challenging circumstances. I have a big place in my heart for these people because I was one.
Today, at 15 years in business, Emerge Design Studio LLC is a 5-time winner of the Phorest Global Customer Experience Award, and employs women whose salaries are up to 3 times the average hairstylist salary, while working under 30 hours per week.
Emerge Design Studio’s goal is to reach and help more people better themselves and their lives while putting God and the family first.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Ha ha, absolutely not! The biggest struggle is consistency. All businesses will have high highs and low lows, but the ones that do best (I’ve learned) are the ones that remove the egos EARLY, and have an unreasonable unwillingness to give up, or high level of “sticktoitiveness”. There have been tough days financially where I had to go months without a paycheck, staff and hiring difficulties, and many sleepless nights of tears and wondering, “why did I choose this???” I will NEVER believe anyone that tells me that their experience of owning a business is “smooth” LOL LOL.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Emerge Design Studio LLC is a hair salon company that I believe is different for many reasons:
For one, we realize our calling is to uplift others. Everything we do has purpose, from the way we hire, do business, and lift our guests; to the way we lift each other, and even the products we choose. We believe in balance at work, life, and play. We believe we have a responsibility to ourselves, our families, and our communities. And we believe that our impact effectiveness is highest when we practice self-care. That means maximum flexibility in stylist work schedules, but also leadership for them that is there is support, encourage, and help them reach their goals. For guests, we provide a loving, nurturing, judge free environment to seek professional guidance from the highest educated in the industry. Team members at Emerge have become known around our area for each having a 5-Star rating because of the incredible and relaxing experience that give their guests; and as an owner, I can tell you that they are so successful because of not only their talent, but their passion and love for people and desire to make a difference in every life they encounter.
For another, we believe in helping others, and supporting causes in everything we do. We believe in caring for the environment and people in need, and we believe in growing people, team members and guests alike. Emerge is partnered with a well known local non-profit (Foster Together) that supports childeren in foster care; we sponsor, donate, and engage in events, and that’s not all.. Emerge also carries a brand that uses all profits to rescue women and girls from trafficking (Starfish Project) and donates all profits from sales of this brand to our local non-profit; we even sponsor a child in Thailand through an organization called Compassion.
This is what we are the most proud of. As a salon company, we offer all the best hair design, color, chemical, and therapy services on the market. We specialize in hearts, and blowing minds. 😉
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Stay the course, hang in there, pray without ceasing, and trust! Also, have a really good accountant.
Pricing:
- Designer Haircuts Starting at $59
- Designer Color Services Starting at $62
- Custom Hair Therapies Starting at $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emergedesignstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergedesignstudio.stl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emergedesignstudio
