Client Feature: Erin Anderson of Fringe Salon South Philly
Celebrating natural texture, intentional business, and community-first beauty
The Bud Collective is a curated series of interviews featuring Nikki Holbrook, founder of Flower Buds Creative, in conversation with podcast hosts, as well as interviews with Nikki and her own clients. Focused on the art and strategy behind branding and web design, the collection dives into Nikki’s process, client transformations, and the stories behind building standout online presences for women-led businesses.
In this installment of Flower Buds Creative’s interview series, founder Nikki Holbrook Interviewed Erin Anderson, Founder of Fringe Salon South Philly which is Philadelphia’s top curly hair destination. Nikki completed a Brand Board and Website in a Week for Fringe Salon.
Some businesses are born from strategy. Others are born from instinct.
For Erin Anderson, founder of Fringe Salon South Philly, choosing a career in hair was a deeply intentional decision. It was one rooted in creativity, human connection, and the desire to build something that could never be replaced by a screen.
“I knew early on that I needed a hands-on career,” Erin shares. “The thought of sitting all day staring at a computer was not for me. Hair felt like something real…creative, personal, and always evolving.”
When the opportunity to run the business landed in her lap early on, Erin didn’t hesitate. She took the leap, trusted her instincts, and grew Fringe into a space that feels as much like a sanctuary as it does a salon.
A Salon That Celebrates Natural Texture
What sets Fringe apart is its unwavering focus on natural texture (waves, curls, and coils) and the education that empowers clients to care for their hair long after they leave the chair.
“We specialize in people who want to wear their hair the way it naturally grows,” Erin explains. “It’s not just about the cut. It’s about teaching technique, understanding products, and building a routine that works at home.”
That commitment to education became a defining moment for the business in 2013, when Fringe began working with DevaCurl and rode the natural texture movement through the 2010s. As demand grew, so did the salon’s purpose.
More Than a Salon — A Safe Haven
For Erin, the most rewarding part of business ownership isn’t growth metrics or milestones… it’s the people.
“Providing a home for stylists and clients who celebrate natural texture is everything,” she says. “It’s about helping people discover what’s possible—not just in their hair, but in building a fulfilling career.”
That sense of care extends beyond hair. In a time of constant noise and polarization, Fringe intentionally remains neutral when it comes to politics, religion, and social movements.
“We believe the salon should be a haven,” Erin shares. “A place where no one has to have their guard up—where you can just come in, relax, and be yourself.”
Evolving With Purpose
Over time, Erin’s vision has expanded from serving clients to shaping the future of the industry itself. Fringe now focuses heavily on education for clients, as well as emerging stylists eager to learn how to work with natural texture in a thoughtful, informed way.
That evolution mirrors Erin’s own journey: always learning, always refining, always creating space for what’s next.
Bringing the Brand Online
Like many small business owners, Erin’s biggest challenge with branding and her online presence was keeping up with technology.
“I needed someone who understood the reality of running a small business,” she says. “Someone who could help move decisions forward instead of letting things drag on.”
Through our work together at Flower Buds Creative, the goal was clarity, momentum, and usability. The result was a refreshed brand and website experience that better reflects the heart of Fringe—and makes it easier for clients to navigate, connect, and feel at home before they even walk through the door.
“It elevated the brand and made the user experience so much better,” Erin notes.
Looking Ahead
While Fringe continues to thrive, Erin is already thinking long-term. One of her biggest goals is to eventually sell the business to one of her stylists and make the transition seamless…ensuring the culture and values of Fringe live on.
Her advice for those just starting out?
“You have to believe in what you’re offering,” Erin says. “And you have to invest time and money into continuing education. That’s how you grow your craft and your confidence.”
Beyond the Chair
Outside the salon, Erin’s creativity takes many forms. Before hair, she toured in a band. She has a background in fine arts and music production and was deeply involved in the Philadelphia rave scene in the late ’90s and early 2000s. These days, when she’s not at the salon, you’ll most likely find her in the kitchen, cooking, experimenting, and embracing her love of food.
Her biggest supporters? Her parents, Richard and Paula Anderson—cheerleaders from day one.
Connect With Erin: Erin is proud to be part of the Bok Building community and looks forward to continuing Fringe’s legacy for years to come.
📩 Best way to connect: info@fringesalonsouthphilly.com
