Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Basden.
Hi Erica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I began doing permanent makeup after years of not knowing what to do. I finally decided to go to hair school and began to take life coaching courses on the side for self-help.
Before finishing Cosmo school, I opened a PMU studio which turned into a booming tattoo and piercing school + cosmetology salon within a year. I think the coaching had a lot to do with the way we were created and the success of our programs. I wanted to create courses to help women thrive in business and life!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was really hard to find a space that would allow us to tattoo at all. We were told to leave our first two places because they did not want any tattooing being done in the building. It felt very discriminatory, to be honest.
Even our bundling now had to go through a lot. There are also a lot of people In the body art industry who are judgmental because we offer another option other than a traditional apprenticeship.
We faced a lot of people backlashing online and being a completely new type of business, the first year was a lot of change and building the program. I went through staff and had falling outs but now our team is very strong and the program is awesome.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sugar Studios was created for women to have an opportunity to learn body art in a feminine environment.
We give students a classroom setting to start learning the foundation of body art on day one. We then provide them with a space to work and continue their education.
We mentor in business as well. Helping women grow their courses online and in person.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My mentors have always been found through friends but I also think social media can be a great tool.
Pricing:
- $2700 for piecing courses
- $3800 tattoo courses
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sugarstudiosslc.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/sugarstudios.slc
