Alumni Battling Alopecia Creates Inspiring Online Boutique

Pam Sloas, Marist College alumni and founder of online boutique Jericho Road, used her struggle with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss, as a reason to achieve her goals. In doing so, she created an outlet in which she could share her passion for fashion with others struggling with self-identity and foster a sense of community and inclusivity. 

“Good Fashion. Good People. Good Vibes.” are important values to Sloas and became the slogan for her company. She started an online boutique that caters to women who are looking for a safe place where they can find clothes that make them feel not only comfortable but empowered. Jericho Road is a company that is built on “embracing the differences that make you uniquely you,” said Sloas. 

At a young age, men and women are constantly faced with plenty of fear and hardships causing them to struggle with their identity. As a result, they often cling to an aspect that will give them beauty and worth. For many, it is appearances. People become attached to features that they know are attractive. It could be one’s hair, smile or eyes. This one thing can become a large part of a person’s identity and determine their view of beauty. 

Sloas understands how adolescents often find worth in physical features. Once she was diagnosed with alopecia, she wrestled with having to lose a big part of herself as she lost her hair. However, she turned her struggles into a driving factor to achieve her goals and facilitate a creative outlet in which she could share her passions.

In March 2020, Sloas began working on Jericho Road. With newfound free time from her job as a dental hygienist and busy mom of two, being at home was a blessing for her. Finally, she could fulfill the career that she had been working towards her whole life. By May 2021, her company's website was released.

In just over a year she has been able to accomplish her dream to start a new community for all shoppers and fashion lovers. However, it takes a great deal of skill to accomplish something so inspiring. She recognizes Marist for teaching her these valuable lessons to her during her time earning a Master's in Integrated Marketing. According to Sloas, the ability to reach a target audience on social media while managing the latest content was what prepared her most for this new journey outside of campus. With these skills and her disciplined mindset, Sloas was able to mark a new pathway for not only herself, but for any other person looking for their destiny.

Pam Sloas, founder of Jericho Road. Photo was provided by Pam Sloas in her statement sent to Lauryn Starke