Conversations with Eryka Fornear

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eryka Fornear.

Hi Eryka, 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?
My career started with a lifelong love of beauty. I grew up enjoying time at the salon with my mom and grandmother, playing hair and makeup with my sister and friends, watching beauty tips and tricks on YouTube, and I decided to turn that passion into a career. I began with Cosmetology in high school and that led to beauty school at the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in 2013. I originally wanted to be a makeup artist, but really found my talent for hair in school. I fell in love with the Aveda brand and decided that I wanted to be a part of their network for the long haul. My first job out of school was at Salon Azure in Knoxville.

As any new graduate, I had to start as an assistant and work my way through their education system. Even though I wanted to focus in color, the manager decided their need was for a cutting specialist and that’s what I did for the first two years until I moved to Nashville to be a part of the Jon Alan team. I have been with Jon Alan for almost five years, and I plan to continue to be with them for a long time. In my time there I have become a top performing stylist, an Aveda certified color educator, first place winner for Intercoiffure Nouveau competition, and a team lead at my location. I love to be a cheerleader for my team and keep inspiring them to reach for the stars. It’s such a joy to be a reason why my clients feel beautiful, and to use my passion every day.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When you work with people, it is never a smooth road. As I think back over the last eight years, I have come to realize that I have in fact, had many struggles to get where I am today. I’ve had to take a leave of absence from beauty school, leave a toxic workplace, fire disrespectful clients, lose clients that I care for, take care of a sick parent, and work through a pandemic. It’s definitely true what they say, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Out of all the struggles, the top two hardest were trying to take care of a sick parent and working in an uncertain pandemic world. I just try to take it day by day and focus on being there for my clients. Making them happy helps me to continue to find joy in a time when stress is high. Having my two dogs helps some too.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a hairstylist at the Jón Alan Salon in Nippers Corner. I offer any and all hair services, some waxing services, makeup applications, and weddings. I specialize in hair color, specifically, blonding, reds, and fashion colors. This past year I became a certified hair color educator for Aveda, and I plan to use that to help new stylists to grow when I’m not taking clients. I have entered in a few competitions for creative cut and color and have placed in the top ten in 2018 and won first place in 2020 with my partner in crime Danielle. This past year I became number two in the company for service dollars provided. I plan to continue my growth by partaking in fashions shows, photoshoots, specialized color classes, and spreading the knowledge to those just starting out.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Growing up I absolutely loved our Fourth of Julys. My grandmother lived out in the middle of nowhere and the whole family would come together for the day. This one year, my dad and uncles decided to make their own firework “rig.” They spent all day in my Grandpa’s garage putting this show of fireworks together on a flat bed trailer so they could just light it once and go. When they finally got done my Grandpa hooked it up to his tractor and wheeled it out into the horse pasture. Don’t worry, the horses were put away. As redneck as they were, the show went off without a hitch, and it was a fabulous show to watch with my family all together on the porch.

Pricing:

• Female Haircut – $70
• Male Haircut – $65
• Color – $110+
• Consultation – $25
• Extensions – $185+

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: jonalansalon.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jonalanhairbyeryka
• Facebook: Facebook.com/e.mishael