We recently connected with Dr. Erica Gamble and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Erica, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
There have been so many instances of me being the only one in the room. I come from a corporate background with any discipline being Human Resources and in a C Suite level role. There were never people who looked like me which was somewhat part of the reason why the Wig Dr. was born, I was wearing wigs, traveling, and had no time for hair appointments. I needed a consistent quality wig so that I could show up at the board room prepared without my hair being the topic of conversation. Fast forward to starting the Wig Dr. offering quality wigs, compression, and mastectomy there is still currently no one in the room that looks like me. At times this has caused me to feel lonely or the lack of people to talk to because of this lonely space however, self-motivation, time management, continuous learning, networking, and self-discipline have carried me this far. I have applied all of the techniques and tradings that I have learned over my career and carried them into my business. I’ve learned to be adaptable and open to change and also embrace differences. I have learned to focus on results in this space and focus on client satisfaction which is key to my growth and success. I often have to remember that success when you are the only one in the room is all about self-discipline. motivation, and commitment to personal and professional growth,
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am Dr. Erica Gamble owner of The Wig Dr. wig boutique and hair loss center in Metro Atlanta Georgia. We started our business in 2015 and have been making forward progress ever since. We have two locations – Marietta Georgia and Fayetteville Georgia. We provide non-permanent, non-surgical hair loss solutions for everyone. Our purpose is to ensure every customer leaves with the education needed to make an informed decision on a wig, or hairpiece or better understand the cause(s) behind hair loss and treat the disorders accordingly. We are not only a wig shop, but we also offer mastectomy bras, breast forms, custom prosthetics, post-surgery products & compression garments
Dr. Erica Gamble AKA The Wig. Dr. had a passion for wigs at an early age. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and always witnessing Grandmother “Bessie” Aunt “Bea” and mother “Rosa” snatched up in fashion and powerful wigs which I call “hair hats” lead to the Wig Dr’s. inception. ” Hair is an accessory and I believe it is important for a woman to look and feel her best each day and it all starts with prayer and “good hair”. Having an earned Doctorate Degree in Organizational Behavior and Leadership coupled with over 20 years of Leadership and Higher Education success brought me to my passion.
We are solving the problem of there being a lack of quality wigs and hairpieces for those experiencing hair loss due to being diagnosed with alopecia, chemotherapy, or other autoimmune diseases, aging, or genetics. We are also solving the problem of the lack of mastectomy boutiques that are available in the community for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, will lose one or two breasts, and need prosthetics, bras, compression, or lymphedema care. This means the underserved, and underinsured as well. We believe that people should receive quality products no matter their status.
Our team is comprised of certified fitters who provide education, resources, and excellent client services for those that are in the hair loss of breast cancer communities. We are also a diverse group that can meet the needs of all of the people we serve.
We recently moved into a new location in Marietta . We are now in Parkaire Medical Center which is a Medical Office park which house physicians and also some of our business partners.
We are in the process of becoming fully accredited medical facilities so that we can accept all insurance plans and service people all over the world. Our goal is to be fully accredited by first quarter 2024.
I am also excited about the possibility of opening a facility in my hometown of Cleveland Ohio. This is not only home but it is also the home of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and serving so many people in underserved areas. My goals would be to take my services there and educate people on Wigs, Masectomy and Compression as they are dealing with cancer diagnosis, hair loss or surgical impacts.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three skills for me were dedication, diligence, and perseverance. Dedication means pushing forward every day even when you don’t feel like it. Diligence is persistence and determination to achieve a determined goal for the future. and perseverance means continuing to make the effort to do or achieve something despite difficulty or failure. These things are all a part of the journey and ensure that no matter what you encounter you make strides every day while pushing forward, failing, and struggling.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking to collaborate with Oncologists, Dermatologists, Nurse Navigators, Vascular specialists, Social workers, and Survivors. Relationships are the cornerstone of my business. Those professionals are the people that are taking care of patients and providing the medical aspects as needed. I am available for referrals to help with wigs for hair loss, mastectomy products after a breast cancer diagnosis, and compression products for those in need. Collaboration is key as we are finding out that so many of our clients are undereducated and often feel lost as they go through their medical journeys. Survivors are always great as we look to host support groups and gathering so that people can come together and share and exchange much-needed resources.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wigdr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_wig_dr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wigdrgamble
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-erica-gamble-06597519/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ATLWigDr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEFmWx9yFbL7S0kmuX7V1GA
Image Credits
Shan Roberts Photography co-owner of Photography Bae Studios
