Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Washington.
Hi Erica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, my name is Erica Lashay. I am 32 years old and I am a mom to 3 amazing children. When I was younger, I always had a fascination with esthetics. Whether it was beautiful art, stylish nail polish, or makeup. I always had a love for beauty. I used to sneak in my mom’s nail polish and makeup and make myself as girly as possible when no one was around.
I even had my elementary teacher compliment my nail polish techniques as a kid. Fast forward to high school, I continued to have a love for makeup and all things esthetically pleasing. But life changed for me and I became a teen mom at the age of 16. I never once thought to drop out of school to take care of my child, I instead rolled with the punches and was enrolled in a high school that had a daycare to ensure we teen moms could finish high school, and receive our diplomas. And that I did.
With my three-year-old son on my hip. I had no goals or no plans, for life after high school so I just worked. And worked. And worked… I worked at FedEx for 8 years before I decided I needed a change. My passion for makeup never dimmed throughout my life, so I decided to practice my makeup craft by watching YouTube videos and Google how could I legally do makeup in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. I saw something called an Esthetician. I had never even heard of an esthetician before.
But I signed up for school so I could safely practice my makeup skills. Going to esthetician school at Gould’s Academy was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life because I grew an even deeper love for all things esthetics. Now there was more to life than just makeup, there were lashes, skincare, waxing, chemical peels, and so many amazing aspects to my field. I loved every single minute of esthetics school. I took everything I learned in school seriously.
I won first place in a makeup contest in school, and of course, it was one of my proudest moments there. But as I continued to go to school my passion for makeup was still there but my interest in skincare grew. I loved learning everything about skin. So as school continued, I graduated and became a licensed esthetician in 2020. With the devastating impact of Covid-19, I put off my business adventures until now.
After many requests, I have officially started taking clients for facial treatments, back facial treatments, and makeup services. After getting rejected after applying over and over to other establishments, I turned my home into a spa. So all services are booked online and done in my beautiful, relaxing spa room.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle I endured throughout this process was coping with the pandemic. Covid has truly taken a toll on our economy, and waiting until the lockdown was over was excruciating.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a licensed esthetician located in the city of Memphis.
I specialize in facials and makeup artistry. I focus on everything skin and I have a driven passion to always learn more about the skin. I stand out from others in my opinion because I am so much more grateful for everything that comes my way.
I never thought in a million years I’d be a licensed esthetician and have people recommending my services. I am truly so thankful.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
A key characteristic to have in the esthetician career, in my opinion, is empathy, understanding, and knowledge. Just being kind and considerate to everyone.
There are so many people who suffer from things that aren’t surface level, and I always keep that into consideration.
Pricing:
- Glow Up Facial -60min – $55
- Hydro Facial- 60min – $55
- Full Face Makeup- 90min – $60
- Glow Up Back Facial- 60min – $75
- Hydro Back Facial- 60min – $75
Contact Info:
- Email: Thee.ericalashay@gmail.com
- Website: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25723506
- Instagram: Instagram.com/ericalashayesthetics
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ericalashayesthetics
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQNaeTwV7NOcWDpJCOj5ARg
