Today we’d like to introduce you to Danika O’Leary-Johnson.
Danika, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in small-town Northern California. I spent my time going to punk rock shows and working odd jobs to pay for them. I fell in love with all the different colored hair and people’s styles. The freedom to express oneself through clothes and hair drew me in immediately. I knew that’s what I wanted for myself. I spent lots of time before I was even licensed cutting and coloring friends’ and families hair just for the chance to create.
When I graduated from high school, I spent a couple of years as a body piercer and taking college classes but still, my heart was with hair. I put myself through Beauty School, all 1600 hours, learning just enough to pass the state licensing boards. I was a rookie, to say the least, I had no idea what I was doing as a hairdresser.
I felt the best way for me to learn was to start my career at Supercuts their training helped me get on my feet and build the confidence to move on and be my own boss. Taking that leap of faith I went into a chair rental situation hustling and struggling to make ends meet. Literally while building my clientele there was not a day that I was closed or not available to book. Even Christmas.
As my business got stronger I decided I needed to give back. I spent much of my time volunteering working with the homeless population and veterans providing free haircuts, food, clothing and job-finding assistance. Amazingly my story was picked up by the news! It created so much fresh awareness that I had numerous calls, texts and emails from people wanting to join to help our community.
The haircuts for the homeless event went from a single person, myself, and a generator to dozens of barbers and hairstylists who wanted nothing but to help. Following the belief system that we as a community are only as strong as our weakest link.
I worked tirelessly for seven years before I was given the opportunity to buy my salon from the woman I’d been renting from. I could own my own salon! Needless to say, I jumped on the opportunity to grow my business from just a chair rental situation to a brick and mortar. It was and is the pleasure of my life to be able to be of service to people.
I’ve now owned my salon for nearly 5 years making it a safe place for people of all creeds and walks of life to learn and work. Even though Im in Texas and work in Austin at Ritual Salon I maintain my business, Oak and Ivy hair Salon in Northern California by flying back and forth to take care of my clients who have become like family and friends.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life has definitely not been smooth whatsoever I was fortunate enough to be raised by a strong independent single mother of three who did her best to provide a full life for us. All while putting herself through college.
I was faced with the task to have to pay for my education myself as well as starting up my business without financial help from any bank or from my family. Student loans from a career you’re not working in will kill ya.
I struggled quite a bit with the thought that I would never be good enough and that what I did being a hairstylist was not an honorable or financially lucrative position. Thankfully with this industry the more you put into it the more you WILL get out which includes positivity.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in blonding, vivid colors, and color corrections. I don’t necessarily know what sets me apart or makes me any better than anyone else but I do know that the love and the passion are there.
As an awkward kid growing up, I’ve always longed for a safe place to express myself. I believe it shows in my work and through my desire now as an adult to not only help make people feel their best but also accepted for who they are but by doing so in a loving environment.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom and my dad although they weren’t together for most of my youth both individually encouraged and pushed me to keep moving forward with my education no matter where it was whether it was with hair or by continuing to take college classes on various subjects.
My mom actually pushed me to go back to school while I was doing hair to earn my associate’s degree in clinical medical assisting as well as a certificate in phlebotomy so I would always have something to fall back on.
Pricing:
- Vivid colors $250+
- Haircuts 85+
- Blonding 250+
- Clipper cuts 40+
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/hairbydanikao
