
Designing with hair has always been a passion of mine.
I’ve been blessed with the ability to create something in shape, color and texture, that touches someone’s life. The ability to give someone a new outlook on themselves — AND their life — (in about 2 hours!) is the biggest rush I can imagine.
After receiving a degree in graphic design from the University of Illinois Champaign, my mom suggested I look into cosmetology school because she had known I cut my friends hair and really enjoyed it — and was pretty good at it! Often these home haircuts actually helped pay for groceries!
I started my career after cosmetology school by training as a hair cutter at Maxines salon in Chicago where I held their Creative Director management position during my last four years. Training after beauty school was a hard pill to swallow, (shampooing, sweeping) but it was worth it and I knew it was the only way to get to the "next level" in my career. I was a "cutter" working in that departmentalized salon for 8 years, which taught me the great communicate skills I still use with my clients to this day.
Following that, my 16 years at Joseph Michael’s Salon and Spa allowed me to offer COLOR services to my clients — further expanding my creative toolbox. I brought with me my years of experience as creative director and stylist educator, and initially helped shape Joseph Michael’s education program. One of my favorite sayings is "Where much is given, much is expected" and it's never been more true than when mentoring and training new talent.
When I'm not behind the chair, I'm behind the keyboard creating branding and advertising for my "other" clients in my graphic design company. I'm a TECHIE-COMPUTER Geek! I love that "image" universe too... and can attest to it with a font library of over 20K! Can you say "OCD?"
Currently, I'm living in Oak Park with my partner and our poochie (a street dog rescue from India!). I love being the cook in the condo, and my italian "mommma-ness" shines through at dinner time. "Recipe - Schmecipe!" I also love playing McGyver in the kitchen by cleaning out the fridge and creating something yummy... like my own CHOPPED basket challenge!
Now I’m proud to create my own hairstyling "atelier" — Workshop Daniel Salon Suite. It’s right off Chicago's busy Mag Mile and offers a personal, private and quiet getaway from your everyday hustle, while focusing on you and your hair.
I look forward to meeting you!
Daniel