Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle D’Alessio.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am originally from Long Island, New York and I’ve been in the hair industry for over 15 years. I’ve done everything from work behind the chair, manage salons, work in cosmetology schools, style hair for photoshoots and fashion week, and even be behind the scenes running education for other brands.
My mom was actually the one who told me to go to beauty school. I was in college and I was miserable and she always saw me coloring my hair or my friend’s hair and had me pursue cosmetology. I honestly hate always admitting my mom is right, but I gotta hand it to her, she knew exactly what was right for me at that time.
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?
I am not naturally talented. I struggled with comprehending so many technical aspects of hairdressing (it took me years to feel confident cutting hair!) I worked in a lot of salons that weren’t the right fit and I struggled with being confident because I didn’t know how to be me. I had to start over so many times in my career because I just didn’t know where I belonged.
When I started teaching, it allowed me to learn different ways to present information which helped me better understand technical parts of hairdressing. It also allowed me to help new stylists. I never want anyone feeling as ill-prepared or not confident like I was. I want stylists to be successful and to work together and not be competition to each other.
Starting over doesn’t mean that you failed. It means you are persistent and strong enough to try again, even when things are difficult.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in creating custom hair vivids. A lot of my hair inspiration comes from my nerdy side, so getting to do Harry Potter house colors or Star Wars lightsaber hair or even doing horror-themed photoshoots is really just the best way of merging my hobbies with hair artistry. I am proud of being true to myself. It was challenging moving from New York to Austin and having to rebuild a clientele, but by embracing my nerdy, glittery side, I grew my chair with likeminded clients who let me create something special for them.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Moving across the country was insane! I left my family, friends, and a whole clientele and started over with basically nothing. I was waiting for my now husband to arrive in Austin (his job took months to approve his transfer from New York to Austin), so I had to go out by myself and try to get people in my chair. I had to learn to build from scratch and to network like never before.
I don’t think of myself as a traditional risk taker. I cry on airplanes and I pick onions off my food, so really, I don’t think I’m too wild! However, in my career field, I tend to dive in headfirst into whatever challenge shows up. I did New York Fashion Week and had to style hair in a men’s bathroom because the outlets in the main space didn’t work. I traveled to Kansas City to do a Harry Potter hair collab with a group of stylists I’ve never met before that event. Hell, I started a company where I did nerd themed hair and did glitter braids at local events, roller derby meets, and comic con. If you don’t try it all, you might never know what you could accomplish.
Pricing:
- $90 per hour for vivids
Contact Info:
- Email: Geeksgetglam@gmail.com
- Website: Geeksgetglam.com
- Instagram: Geeksgetglam
- Facebook: Geeksgetglam
- Twitter: Geeksgetglam
