Today we’d like to introduce you to Dani Canerday.
Dani, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
“Why did you become a hairstylist?”
I’ve had this question asked many times. I’m not going to lie, I used to be jealous of stylists that said they loved doing hair and always wanted to get involved in the industry. Personally, cosmetology was something I fell into.
My life started to drastically change when I was 16. I lost my best friend due to betrayal, my dad moved out of state and got remarried.. and at that point, my mom started to get too sick to take care of me and my little sister. There was literally no reason for me to stay in my tiny hometown.
So at 17, I stopped attending school, dropped out and got my GED. That was a choice that no one ever expected me to make (even I never saw it coming). I felt like a child and an adult all at once. I knew I wasn’t mature enough for college but I also knew if I just started working, there was a chance that I might not ever reach for something higher.
My mom passed away almost eight years ago. She was a licensed massage therapist who went to school so that she could help my little sister with some of the pain that comes with having Cerebral Palsy. My first thought was that I wanted to follow her path and become one as well. I remember showing up to the school and doing a tour. I was ready to enroll. I soon found that massage wasn’t going to be part of my life path. Since I was under 18, I couldn’t pursue that career by law.
My next idea was cosmetology- which is pretty ironic because I’ve always struggled with confidence and beauty. I didn’t ever feel like that was a strength of mine. Now it was going to be my job to help other women feel beautiful and I would have to become someone that they could come to for inspiration?? There was no way.
In my head, being a stylist was only a stepping stone to pay my way through college. I quit doing hair because I didn’t believe in myself and didn’t have a mentor to help me overcome my weaknesses. I didn’t know what I was doing and felt that I was just a horrible hairdresser. I KNEW I was supposed to do something other than hair. I took that mindset with me for years.
Even after joining an amazing salon, finding my mentor Kelly Cooper Stuckey and receiving so much support and opportunity to grow, I looked at the grass thinking it was greener on a different career path. But truly, the greener life came when I put my heart into my own path and chose to love what I had instead of waiting for happiness to find me.
I remember vividly talking to God, the universe, a higher power- whatever you want to call it. I wanted a way out. I kept saying over and over that I didn’t want to be a stylist when a small voice within myself said “What if I ask you to stay right where you are?” I laughed and fought the idea. Staying in the beauty industry wasn’t what I wanted to hear and couldn’t be the choice I was supposed to make…was it?
When I accepted that doing hair may actually be what I’m called to do, things started falling into place. I finally had motivation to learn and grow. I wanted to push myself to be the best I could be for my clients. I chose to have fun with beauty and be light about it rather than viewing it as vanity. I started focusing on all the good that would come from my position. Most importantly, I finally realized I get to do what I’m good at- serving people.
Every day I get to love on people, empower, listen, support and encourage them. (I also enjoy that I get to be exactly who I am while doing it. Tattoos and all..)
Has it been a smooth road?
I think the biggest struggle I’ve faced is the fact that an “artistic eye” doesn’t just come naturally to me. I’ve had to invest a lot of time and money into growing myself as a hair artist. I’m a perfectionist and am not ok with “good enough”. This characteristic is a positive and a negative in my career because on one hand, it pushes me to always critique myself and my work but on the flip side, I often forget that I’m only human.
Another struggle I believe I’ve faced was not having direction right out of cosmetology school. I didn’t learn anything in school. Nothing. My mentor taught me everything, down to doing something as simple as a single highlight.
One of my goals as a professional is to eventually be able to give back to girls that may have felt the same way coming out of school. I don’t think being an educator on a big scale will ever be in my cards but I would absolutely love to work with an assistant one on one when I am more seasoned and prepared to be an educator.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your work – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a colorist, I feel that I experience the most joy when I am doing blondes. I personally have naturally fragile, fine hair which has taught me how to be mindful when I’m working with someone who also has delicate hair. In order to care for my clients, I’m honest with them and with myself. Usually that means coaching them in a direction that is most realistic for their hair, occasionally saying no to their requests and always mixing multiple formulas for different areas of the head. I try my best to listen to my clients requests and deliver them to the best of my ability. I believe in giving great service so I take the time to get to know my clients on a personal level and I never forget to take an extra moment at the shampoo bowl for a neck massage.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I absolutely love DFW. Our city is an incredible melting pot with potential to make new friends anywhere you go. There is growth on every corner and Texans have the most impressive pride for their state. My family moved here in 2017 from Fayetteville, AR and I’m not going to lie, I was nervous to move to a bigger area. I can truly say that moving to Dallas and starting over was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my mental and emotional state.
My least favorite thing about Dallas is our lack of hills, trails, and nature overall. Oh and our insane property taxes. Am I right, or am I right?
Pricing:
- Full Highlight $175+
- Full Balayage $185+
- Full Foilayage $205+
- Women’s Haircut $65
- Women’s Haircut add on to color service $30
Contact Info:
- Address: Triple Crown Salon
6750 Gaylord Pkwy #170
Frisco, Tx 75034 - Website: www.danicancolor.com
- Phone: 479-502-0274
- Email: dani@danicancolor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dani_can_color/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dani-can-color-frisco?osq=dani+can+color
Image Credit:
The Dogwood Collective – Kristi Boatright
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