We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad's 30 Under 30 contest, sponsored by Denman Professional.
Here, you'll get to know Erika Zabel (@erikamorgan_hair), a 29-year-old independent hairstylist specializing in lived-in and low-maintenance hair color.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Erika Zabel (EZ): I’m a Leap Year baby! There aren’t that many of us out there.
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
EZ: I started working at a small salon, where I built my clientele and learned the skills and confidence to venture out on my own as a small business owner.
BLP: Who is someone you consider a mentor/role model in the industry?
EZ: Kelsey Barnum. She was my instructor while I was in beauty school at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis. Her style of teaching clicked with me immediately, and her mentorship over the years is something I am so thankful for. She kept me in mind after I graduated, checked in on me over the first few years after school and could tell I wasn’t meeting my fullest potential. She hired me at her salon, mentored me and set me up for the success I have achieved so far in my career. To this day, she’s one of the most talented stylists I’ve come across. Whether it’s her skills behind the chair, her business advice, her knowledge of the profession or just her friendship, she’s the best of the best.
BLP: What is your proudest achievement in the industry thus far?
EZ: My proudest achievement has been overcoming being an introvert and pushing myself out of my comfort zone to meet new people and make new connections, with both industry professionals and clients. Doing hair has provided me the opportunity to meet some of my now closest friends. I am proud of myself for venturing out and connecting with like-minded individuals, whether it’s been through social media, at a professional development course, in the salon environment or one of the multiple trips I’ve taken, and not being afraid to leave my comfort zone.
BLP: What is your favorite piece of advice you’ve been given by a fellow industry/hair pro?
EZ: This career is what you make of it. You can take home enough money to pay your bills and be happy, or you can become a celebrity stylist and have more than you can dream of. You can educate online, inspire, work behind the chair, teach classes, have brand partnerships, own your own salon — the possibilities are endless. Whatever you want it to be, it can be. You have to work for it, and not forget to fill your own cup up along the way.
BLP: What is a hair tip/technique you’ve learned that’s helped you be more efficient/successful behind the chair?
EZ: Less is more. When it comes to lived-in hair, less is more. For the longest time, I was overdoing it and wondering why my results weren’t as simple or natural as I had hoped. I used far too much product and booked people longer than necessary. Once I started being more strategic with my placement and working with their natural color, I was seeing the results I wanted.
BLP: What is your favorite hair trend currently?
EZ: Scalp Care. This has been a passion of mine. Healthy hair and hair goals start at the scalp. We need our scalps to be happy to produce the hair strands we want to see. The scalp serums, scalp focused shampoos, in-salon scalp treatments, etc. are all so important in the hair world, and I’m happy it’s finally taking off.
BLP: Who or what inspires your work?
EZ: My clients inspire my work every single day. It is my clients and the relationships I have formulated throughout the years that get me up and excited for work each day. Whether they’re in for a quick touch up or getting their wedding hair done, I get to experience life through each client’s perspective in the hour or two they’re in my chair. That is where I get the daily drive and inspiration to keep doing what I’m doing.
Some of my favorite stylists to follow and get hair inspiration from are: @braggnbeauty, @mickeycolonjr, @rob.levi, @manely.summer, @michellezeller, @realericvaughn, @melaniemhasson and way more than I can name!
BLP: What changes would you like to see in the industry to better help hair pros grow and thrive?
EZ: I would love to see the industry support new stylists more. I hear too many stories of established stylists taking advantage of new ones. I want to see better support for new graduates who are ready to build their clientele and learn the skills they need to become successful stylists. Giving them more support and creating a better bridge between finishing up beauty school and starting out at their first salon job would be beneficial to the industry. Mentoring new stylists and showing support is something I feel passionate about.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
EZ: A career goal for myself would be to get outside of my comfort zone further and start offering educational opportunities for other stylists. I want to share my passion with like-minded stylists and teach them what I’ve learned along the way.
