Some dreams have a way of waiting for you. For Erin Gonzalez, that dream was a career behind the chair — before life steered her toward a desk.
"I wanted to do hair when I was a young girl in elementary school," Erin says.
Like many people, Erin felt pressure to pursue a more traditional path, stepping into the office world before that childhood dream pulled her back to a salon in West Des Moines.
"I definitely feel like I made the right decision switching from a nine-to-five to the hair world," she says.
Now, four years into her career — all spent as a hairstylist at Serenity Couture — Erin has built a reputation for creating genuine relationships with every guest who sits in her chair.
One of the biggest influences in Erin's career has been the support system she found at Serenity Couture, especially through her mentor and current boss, Bree.
"She was my educator when I was in school and she was my cheerleader the whole way through," Erin says.
That mentorship and encouragement helped Erin feel confident in building her career at Serenity — something she now values deeply within the salon culture.
When it comes to current trends, Erin is excited to see one timeless style making a comeback.
"The bob is coming back into style," she says. "It's fun to go back to the roots and do something fresh again."
For Erin, helping guests feel confident goes beyond the final result. It's about creating meaningful experiences and genuine human connection along the way.
"A lot of people go through their day without much human interaction, and we get to be that one interaction they might have," she says. "That is kind of priceless to me."
For Erin, hairstyling is about far more than hair. It's about connection.
"What I love most about doing hair is the relationships I build with everyone. Not only my clients, but my coworkers," she says.
She genuinely invests in the people she works with, remembering the details of their lives and looking forward to hearing what's new each time they return to the salon.
"I genuinely feel connected to my clients," Erin says. "I can't wait until they come in and tell me what they've been up to."
That authentic care is what makes appointments with Erin feel personal, comfortable, and welcoming from start to finish.
If you're looking for a hairstylist in West Des Moines who will bring your dream style to fruition, Erin would love to welcome you into her chair.
You can find Serenity Couture at 7001 Westown Pkwy, Suite 120, West Des Moines, IA 50266, serving guests throughout West Des Moines and the surrounding Des Moines metro.
