Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny “Maltagoya” Tran
Hi Danny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story has many layers to it. The initial interest would have been at 14 when I have gifted a pair of clippers from a neighbor that was likely tired of me coming so often for free haircuts. I started to experiment on myself and became fairly efficient at cutting my own hair without any method. However, that didn’t translate to me cutting my friend’s hair. They were early victims. Some years passed and I was no longer cutting my own hair but visiting some local barbershops and still intrigued by the art of cutting hair. I thought about my future and what it would look like, and barbering seemed to fit whether it was temporary or permanent and based on that, made a decision to go to barber school. Here is where my story takes a sharp turn. After enrolling in school and attending several months, I am arrested and sentenced to 15 yrs in prison…
In prison, I was offered a position as a prison barber, which I held for almost my entire time there. I have to credit prison for giving me the opportunity to learn through experience. Experience is a great teacher! After getting out of prison, I was able to finish school and pursue this career. I worked for a few years in some local shops and then landed a position with a men’s product line as a national educator and opened my personal suite around the same time. Since that time, things have been wonderful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the obvious struggles for me would have been landing myself in prison, but that makes the rest feel smooth. I struggled after getting out of prison with growing a business, not having any resources etc., but with faith, I knew everything would work out.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to say my interest is in creating modern trendy looks with attention to detail. I’m known to be consistent in my work, interested and conversational with whom I have in my chair, and always playing some really chill music, lol. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve built a business from the ground up and have the greatest clients/friends. I think what sets me apart is I have a genuine interest in the individual that sits in my chair. I’ll ask them questions and feel out their energy. I’ll remember things about them and their hair. I take pride in remembering the details.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve often networked by booking appts with other barbers when I was visiting their city. Attending events, hair shows and speaking to other professionals will be the first step. By doing that, I often have new clients that are moving to Austin from other cities that are being recommended by their barbers to visit me when they arrive in Atx. Strike up a conversation with someone.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10001 S IH 35 Frontage Rd #200, Austin, TX 78747 Inside of Salons by JC
- Email: maltagoya2@gmail.com
- Instagram: Maltagoya1
- Facebook: Maltagoya1
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/Sj8Ku2
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