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Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Viaene
Hi Danielle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my hair journey on a hope and a dream at Paul Mitchell the School Great Lakes a cosmetology school in September of 2017. I was a single mom of a 3 and a half month old infant at the time, which was a challenge in itself. I had to learn to quickly balance my life. I joined their advanced Phase 2 program pretty early into my time there to push myself. I learned so many valuable things and even was able to give back to the community. I had amazing mentors and met one of my very best friends. The first salon I was hired at actually found me during a career day towards the end of my time at cosmetology school. They had everything I was looking for right out of school, with continuing my education as a top priority. I finished up getting my cosmetology license thankfully only having to take the practical and theory portion once in October 2018. Salon reality really slapped me in the face in the first few weeks there. They had all Redken products so I had to learn an entire new line, but thankfully I had an amazing mentor who took me under her wing and taught me everything she knew and I blossomed. My first trip as a hairstylist came in only a few months into my profession at the Redken Symposium in Las Vegas. I had never before been on an airplane, a different time zone, or the west side of the country. Everything was so new and exciting for me I could hardly contain myself. I took as many classes as I could and learned everything I could from the top artists there. I left there wanting so much more. Starting March of 2020 we were shut down due to Covid. I made it my mission to keep on top of education. I would take any free online Redken classes. After we returned back to the salons I was ready to go for more. I started my journey through the Redken Virtual courses to get color certified. I loved to share my new knowledge with my clients, co workers, friends, family, honestly anyone who would listen. I also started working with local photographers styling hair for their models. I had such a great experience with that I ended up helping the salon with a calendar of all of our work. While I was working at that salon I also trained at the American Beauty Show in Chicago and Redken HeadQuarters in NYC with the same excitement as the first time in Las Vegas. I eventually decided to part ways from that salon and step into a new salon that I am currently at. The enthusiasm and passion for my career continues as I stepped into a new adventure. I am currently focusing on scalp wellness and exploring different hair products. My son is now 7 and a half years old and has grown up in the salon. I love showing him what it takes to follow your dreams and really work hard for it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggles with first starting out as a hair stylist is building your clientele. Being in a digital world if you aren’t advertising your work on social media it’s hard to be successful. Everyone wants to see what you can do before they schedule an appointment. Understanding how to use social media to your benefit is still something I’m perfecting in such a competitive industry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a hair stylist for over 6 years. I specialize in color, color corrections, blonding, cutting, styling and maintaining healthy hair. I am known for my transformations and thorough consultations. I am most proud of my willingness to learn in this ever changing industry to keep up with current trends. I believe my genuine commitment to all of my clients hair needs as well as educating them on how to take care of their hair at home sets me apart from others .
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Take as many classes as you can that interest you and ask as many questions as you possibly can and I promise you will find someone who shares those unique interests and values. My mentors had a passion for educating and were always open to working with me on anything I may have been struggling with.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hairbydanielleviaene
- Facebook: Hair By Danielle Viaene