Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika “Empress” Scott.
Hi Erika “Empress”, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My walk into the beauty industry was fated. My mom is a cosmetology instructor and my aunts and a few cousins are cosmetologist. My mom tried to talk me out of it in high school. Thats when I started waxing my classmates eyebrows and do their silk presses and quick weaves and coloring their hair. I actually started college seeking to study nursing in 2015 but my passion was makeup and hair. So, continued school, worked a full time, did makeup, sold mink eyelashes & started making wigs on the side. I really had and still have big dreams about who and where I want to be but I always felt like an underdog in my hometown. I kept the same clientele and shoutout to them, Im extremely grateful because they helped keep my dreams alive but I wanted so much more! I prayed that God would bless me with skills, clients and put me in the rooms where my talents and personality would carry me far into the industry.
2019 was when I really started to take my craft serious. I quit my full time and moved to Atlanta with a friend. I was introduced to Artist, content creator & Multi-Media Personality- Oliver TwiXt and thats when I was first taste of set life. I started doing makeup for the cast of Real Life & Philanthropy season 1 and season 2. That was my first year in Atlanta. My second year I was introduced to artist Millie Go Lightly. She was trying to transition to wigs at the time. This was my second recording artist and this was when it started to feel like my prayers were becoming a reality. Being on set all day all night and being in the presence big rappers and big producers and film production. I was really shocked everyday about what was happening in my life.
A little while after I met Millie , I decided to get my cosmetology license and focus a little more on hair and just thinking about the long term. I started Aveda Arts & Science Institute of Atlanta on my birthday in 2021. I met so many talented women at school that I still connect with right now today. Soon after I met my mentor Makeup by Barbee and I became her assistant as well. I’ve always have been great at what I do but I’ve learned over the years to always be a student. There is always something to learn. Barbee definitely has trained me up to be one of the best. Im forever grateful.
Now I am focused on maximizing my skills and my own brand to build empire i see in my dreams everyday.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
it has absolutely not been a smooth road. The biggest challenge for me is that I have always been a little shy and soft spoken and in this realm of the industry it can be intimidating but you have to be confident and believe in yourself to make an impression on others. Energy carries and if you walk in lacking confidence it will be written on your face. Along they way I have gained me confidence in my artistry
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Master Cosmetologist ,Professional Makeup Artist & Wig Designer. I am most proud of the growth of my skills and confidence and most of all my faith in myself. I think what sets me apart is that my passion shows. I don’ t just glue on wigs or slap makeup someones face, I care about my foundation or my canvas and the health of my clients. Im making sure I do proper skin prep and building hair & skin care regimens for when my clients go home everyday.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In this industry, I really hope. that open floor salons come back around. I love the idea of salon suites but I do miss the community we had within a open floor. Nobody takes walk-ins anymore because of this.
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