Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Hawkins.
Erica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
From an early age of sports and dance, I have always been surrounded by capable females. At 18 years old, I began working under Marina Green for the City of Carson, where I launched a dance program for young girls who couldn’t afford the luxury of attending a studio.
After serving McCormick Ambulance, predominantly a male company, as an EMT and dispatcher for almost seven years (and not loving it to say the least), I began instructing at the School of Dance and Music, RockIt Body Pilates and Barreworks, all female-owned businesses. In my adulthood, the “capable” became the strong.
For years I drove from studio to studio, all the while tending bar at a couple of different places. I know many know this lifestyle all too well. I grew weary of it and after interviewing for yet another studio one day in March, my guy turned to me and asked, “Why don’t you just open your own?” The answers were familiar- money, doubt.
On the way home from said interview, we drove down 4th Street and 2nd Street noticing all the “For Lease” signs and landed at Five O’clock Wine Bar for a glass of wine. By the second glass, I had a piece of receipt paper with a rough estimate of the cost of starting (what was no longer) a far-fetched dream and had already called my parents to tell them I’m doing it, to which my dad responded, “I was wondering when that was gonna happen.”
So here we are. Velvet LB opened July 27, 2019, has welcomed so many beautiful faces, has influenced and inspired a lot of lives, has survived COVID-19 and will continue to flourish with the support of this amazing Long Beach community.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This first year of business has definitely tested my strengths, as I think any business owner will say. I had about $400 in my account with “young” credit; no one wanted to loan to me, but I found a way through five jobs and even more credit cards.
Then, COVID happened. I was finally picking up some momentum in the beginning of the year when I had to close my doors on March 16th. I was open less than eight months. I wasn’t that scared for some reason, though. I truly believed in my product, my clients, my community, and, then, magic happened. I got help where I couldn’t before; some clients were willing to pay for up to three months in advance; I even got a little financial help from the government and SBA (VERY little but still very grateful). I honestly believe that creativity and good hearts will help us come out of this mess shining brightly and dripping with success. Those who don’t have such traits, well, they probably won’t.
Besides the finances, there were a couple of people in the wellness neighborhood who unfortunately did not support me. I don’t know if they saw Velvet LB as a threat or competition, but that is absolutely not what we’re about. There are about 467,000 people in Long Beach. I think there’s enough for us to share! I even had one trusted friend try to talk me out of it as I was on my way out of the house to sign the lease. I chose not to focus on this negativity. Instead, I signed the damn lease. I reached out to several nearby facilities to offer my support and even ask for some, and I received so much in return! Talking about it now makes me tear up and fill with gratitude.
The owner of Cycle Haus, Marie, became one of my biggest supporters. She was only steps away from Velvet LB and came to my classes with her instructors and even some of her clients. She gave me advice, she brought me wine, what more could I ask for?! My head trainer at RockIt Body Pilates became my friend first, then the owner of that studio; she gave me a ballet barre she didn’t want in the studio anymore; she took my virtual burlesque class and promoted me to our clients at RBP. I was teaching my friend, Diane’s kids dance when she referred me to Barreworks as a barre instructor. I taught there, then she ended up buying THAT business! I am literally surrounded by strong, intelligent, beautiful women who truly want the best for each other. There’s no cattiness, no weird competition, just love and support. It’s incredible. And you know what else? I still go to another gym, Iconix, and Adam helped me through my membership as I was getting Velvet LB off the ground. Seriously, how did all this love find me? I am forever grateful.
Velvet LB – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Velvet LB offers an array of classes including aerial (lyra and hammock), aerial yoga, barre, Pilates, my personal favorite is bootcamp. We offer a few fusion classes, too, to get the best elements of each format and enhance the workout for the focused muscle groups and goals. We welcome and celebrate all levels and recognize each person’s different health journey, which is so personal, and her/his fitness goals. Whether you want to shed that quarantine 15 in a month or learn how to do something cool in the air, like a flying goddess, we got you.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have brought so many beautiful people, especially women together. Do you have any idea how powerful determined, focused, sweaty women are? They can literally do anything. And we keep showing them that.
I love seeing my clients decide to take that risk and sign up for an aerial class. I love seeing them nail that new move they never dreamed of doing… while spinning… high in the air… in front of people. I love seeing them connect and laugh with strangers, then perform the hell out of a sexy burlesque dance they never would have done had I not swayed them with phrases like, “No one knows what they’re doing, but it’s freaking fun,” and a littlewine.
Pricing:
- Aerial Intro $20
- Fitness Intro $12
- Burlesque Class w/a Glass $27
- Aerial Workshops for Beginners $69
- Private Sessions $75-110
Contact Info:
- Address: 3145 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA
- Website: velvetbarre.com
- Phone: 562-340-7555
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: velvetbarre
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