Erica Lewis brings diverse hair care to Swedesboro

Erika “Rikki” Lewis, despite coming from a long line of licensed hairstylists, didn’t initially set out to form a salon empire. However, with a talent for cosmetology and noticing the lack of representation in her community in Swedesboro, she decided to be the change.

- by Asiya Robinson

The summer before Lewis prepared for law school, she did some paralegal work and wasn't fond of it, which led her to hair school, as she planned to get her cosmetology license as a way to make money on the side. However, the business propelled her. “While I was in hair school, I just fell in love with it,” she said.

Already familiar with the landscape of the industry from her grandmother, Lewis soon began working professionally. She was hired by Soft Sheen Products as a platform artist, and through this position, she traveled and trained in cities like Chicago and London. “I kind of hit the ground running; I never really looked back,” she recalled.