In an era where many find themselves torn between career ambitions and personal passions, Erica Marie Gatt is the rare individual who has managed to merge her loves seamlessly. Standing 6 feet tall with a natural grace, she is not only a talented aesthetician with a thriving beauty business but also an avid fly-fisher who spends her free time casting lines in the serene waters of Idaho and the Florida Keys.
Balancing two very different worlds, Erica has built a life that many would envy. In her words, this life is a testament to “God’s plan” and husband Mike’s unyielding encouragement, patience and support.
For Erica, fly-fishing is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to reconnect with herself and her loved ones. She speaks with a glint in her eye about the sense of peace that washes over her.
“When I’m in the middle of nowhere fishing with my husband, I feel like life couldn’t get any better and nothing else matters,” she says, reflecting on the many hours spent by the water, rods in hand, as they chase tarpon and bonefish in Florida or trout in the rivers of Idaho.
Her love for fishing started when she was just a child. She caught her first fish at age 11. “I got a dollar, and I was so stoked,” she laughs.
Erica’s passion for fishing goes beyond the thrill of the catch. She practices catch and release, ensuring that the fish she catches are returned safely to the water. The time spent fishing has become an integral part of her life, offering a refreshing contrast to her day-to-day routine. Erica has even set her sights on breaking world records, with a goal of shattering at least two records in the next three years.
“I know my capability, and I can do it,” she says with quiet determination, having enlisted the help of a fishing coach to make it happen. Fishing has evolved from her pastime to a personal challenge and a sport where she’s constantly pushing her limits.
“I’m helping people lean in to self-care, and it’s important.”
Erica’s path to success wasn’t a simple one. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, she experienced a childhood full of challenges but equally rich in life lessons. “We didn’t have much money,” Erica recalls, “but my parents made sure to provide the essentials.”
She quickly learned the value of hard work. At a young age she was knocking on neighbors’ doors, offering to wash cars and mow lawns. “If I wanted something—whether it was trendy clothes or just to go to the movies—I had to work for it,” she shares. That work ethic shaped her into the driven entrepreneur she is today.
Her fascination with beauty also started young. Raised by her mother and grandmother, both of whom sold Avon products, Erica spent her childhood experimenting with makeup and skin care. “I would chase my sisters around, doing their makeup and giving them facials,” she remembers, laughing.
Her grandmother played a significant role in her upbringing. She sewed clothes, which Erica would model for her. These early experiences sparked her lifelong passion for beauty, which would later become her career.
But despite the joys she found in beauty, Erica’s childhood wasn’t without hardship. She didn’t meet her father until she was 8 years old, only for him to disappear again a few years later. “It made me sad because he’s had a rough fight,” she says of her father, who struggled with homelessness.
Yet she still speaks about him with love, recounting how her husband has embraced her father, even helping him with money or a place to stay when he needs it. “It’s his journey,” Erica says with empathy, demonstrating the deep sense of compassion that has guided her through life’s difficulties.
Her journey into the beauty industry began with dreams of Hollywood glamour. In 2010 she moved to California, determined to succeed as a makeup artist. “People thought I was crazy,” she admits, but her determination paid off. After working with A-list celebrities like the Kardashians, Vanessa Hudgens and the cast of Modern Family, Erica realized that her true passion was in skin care.
Her career as an aesthetician took off when she started working with a prominent aesthetician in Beverly Hills, a pivotal moment that deepened her love for skin care. “I realized how much I love skin,” she says.
She opened her first studio space in Hermosa Beach just before COVID-19 hit. “I bought my Hydrafacial machine and focused more on facial treatments,” says Erica, who had built a strong clientele in the South Bay and was known for her unique blend of Eastern and Western skin care techniques.
Her business, EM Skin Studio, is more than just a place for facials—it’s a sanctuary. “Our mission is to provide a safe, clean and welcoming environment where every client feels relaxed and valued,” she says proudly.
For Erica, it’s not just about appearances; it’s about making people feel good in their own skin. “That’s what is missing in the beauty industry. Pamela Anderson says it best: ‘We’re not anti-aging, we are life-ing.’” Her goal is to empower clients to feel confident and beautiful, no matter their age.
Erica has also made it her mission to transform the beauty industry from within, hoping to create a more supportive environment for new aestheticians. “When I first started, I had some bad experiences,” she says, alluding to the competitive and sometimes cutthroat nature of the industry. She wants to change that.
“I’m determined to create a space where new aestheticians feel welcomed, supported and empowered,” says Erica, whose leadership at EM Skin reflects this philosophy. Her business provides a nurturing environment where both clients and professionals can thrive.
One of the things that sets Erica apart is her intuitive ability to connect with people. “I’m very intuitive, and I can feel people’s energy,” she says of the skill that has helped her succeed.
Whether she’s working with a client to address their skin care concerns or talking to kids about the correlation between diet and breakouts, Erica’s goal is to educate, empower and emphasize the importance of holistic wellness. “A lot of what’s going on in your skin is gut-based,” she explains.
As the eldest of six girls and two boys, family has always been central to Erica’s life. Now, as an aunt to six nieces and eight nephews, and with a goddaughter as well, she takes pride in encouraging the next generation to follow their dreams. “I love talking to them about their goals and passions,” she says, recalling how her uncles inspired her when she was young. Her nieces and nephews, in turn, look up to her as a role model, always eager to share their aspirations with her.
Erica’s life is a testament to balance. Whether she’s working in her serene Hermosa Beach studio, spending time with her husband in nature or mentoring young aestheticians, she embodies a sense of calm and purpose. For her, beauty is more than skin deep, and fishing is more than a sport. It’s all about connection—to herself, to her loved ones, and to the world around her. In her own words, “I’m helping people lean in to self-care, and it’s important.”
Between her career in the beauty industry and her love for fishing … between hard work and self-care, Erica has managed a lovely equilibrium. Whether she’s standing on the banks of a river, fishing rod in hand, or in her serene Hermosa Beach studio helping clients feel clean and confident, Erica lives a life filled with passion, purpose and peace. “We aren’t getting old; we’re getting wise.”
