“If you change the way you look at things, the things around you will change”

I really never planned on being a cosmetologist.  I was young, in a band and exploring the options for my future.  I was introduced to the salon environment by a friend and was attracted to the fun, upbeat energy so I decided to go to Cosmetology school.  Little did I know where this decision would lead me, and I would one day become a successful entrepreneur.

My wife and I opened our first salon in 1988. As I always say, it took me 15 years to become an overnight success.  Over the last 20 years, our business has evolved and grown into a thriving customer centered establishment.  We now own three Eric Fisher Salons and a little over four years ago, we opened Eric Fisher Academy.  

Being an entrepreneur has allowed me to transform into the person I am today – a cosmetologist, a salon owner, a school owner, a platform artist and an educator.  My career in the cosmetology industry has provided me with the opportunity to travel the world and I’ve had the honor of winning numerous personal awards and awards for the salon and academy.  Some of these awards include:

Eric Fisher

§  NINE time North American Hairstyling Award Finalist

§  TWO time North American Hairstyling Award Winner

§  WINNER Global Business Award UCLA – London, England

§  WINNER Global Business Award UCLA “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award – Barcelona, Spain

§  WINNER Stylist Choice Award – Favorite Education in the Business for Best Selling CD “90 Days to a Lifetime of Big Earnings”

§  Named one of the “Best Educators of the Last 100 years” – Modern Salon Magazine

Eric Fisher Salon

§  “Retail of the Year” – American Salon Magazine

§  “Best Salon Coast to Coast” – Self Magazine

§  Voted “Most Newsworthy Salon in America” – Consumer Press NYC

§  “Top Training Salon in the Nation” – Allure Magazine

§  Repeatedly named in the “Top 200 Salons in America” – Salon Today Magazine

§  Voted Fastest Growing Salon in America – Salon Today Magazine

§  One of the most written about Salons in America – quoted in all major magazines including Vogue, Elle, Seventeen, Teen, Allure, InStyle

§  Winner Best in Business – Wichita Business Journal

§  Finalist Small Business Award – Wichita Chamber of Commerce

Eric Fisher Academy

§  EIGHT time North American Hairstyling Award Finalist in the Student Stylist category

§  WINNER North American Hairstyling Award

§  Named School of the Year by Nuts and Bolts Business Training Program

§  Winner School Excellence in Education Award “Best School Facilities” – Modern Salon Magazine

§  Finalist School Excellence in Education Award “School Culture” – Modern Salon Magazine

§  Finalist School Excellence in Education Award “Marketing Innovation” – Modern Salon Magazine

§  Winner Best in Business – Wichita Business Journal

§  Finalist Small Business Award – Wichita Chamber of Commerce

My father used to tell me, “If you change the way you look at things, the things around your will change”.  I offer this same advice to you regardless of your situation; you too can become a successful entrepreneur.  Look at me - I was a young guy who enjoyed creating some beats on the drums.  One decision lead to inconceivable opportunities which I believe anyone can accomplish with hard work and dedication. 

I look forward to speaking at the YEK Breakfast Series on October 13^th.  See you there.

Eric Fisher