Meet Danielle Lakes – co-owner of Mane3sixty Salon and cosmetologist. She has been beautifying those around her for over 19 years, she went straight from high school to beauty college and started working as a self-employed stylist right away. Inspired by her babysitter who did hair from her kitchen, Danielle was always interested, and fascinated by the art in it as well as making people, mostly women feel better about themselves. “It truly is one of the best feelings. When someone comes in feeling down and out, then when the appointment is finished they say “That is just what I needed, I feel So much better”. Nothing tops that !”
Danielle’s journey has not been without struggle. Like so many business owners, the pandemic impacted her journey.
Opening a new shop during Covid might have been one of the biggest hurdles. In addition to a decline in clientele, as social distancing was figured out, her income was impacted as unemployment wasn’t initially offered to those that were self-employed. Thankfully the system was adjusted to match the current times and self-employed individuals were finally paid for time lost around the same time that they could return to work. For many of Danielle’s friends that are also in the industry and were single moms, or had no other means of income, this was truly devastating and many businesses didn’t survive.
The knowledge and long-lasting relationships that she has built over the last 20 years in the industry with her clients helped Danielle to persevere. “It’s such a neat thing to have clients so long they feel like family. It is so satisfying being able to watch the seasons of her clients as they marry, and have children, then those children become clients.
One of her biggest challenges is understanding what someone truly wants when sometimes they don’t even know. Cosmetology also requires the ability to navigate many different personalities. Some people come in and want you to know what they are for breakfast and about their whole life and others are more reserved and quiet, so carefully measuring that and making it a peaceful time for them can be a challenge.
In addition to being an amazing stylist and business owner, Danielle is a mother of two great kiddos ages 13 and 9, stepmom to a stepson that’s 27, and grandma to his two girls. She’s also the beautiful wife to a husband who also runs his own unique business that she helps with as well (how does she find the time!?). Through her journey as a business owner, she has been able to contribute to her family which has allowed him to quit a job he hated and was unhappy at to quit and start his own adventure which has truly become something great now. “I truly love my work and making people feel special and catered to.”
Looking to book your next pampering session? Book Danielle! She provides services for men, women, and children- haircutting, coloring, perms, waxing, Brazilian blowouts, styles, and prom/wedding hair and therapy lol. She prides herself on giving you a one-on-one experience and your satisfaction truly means the world to us.
Looking to the future, she’s considering possibly buying a bigger space and expanding although we enjoy our quiet environment. “I would like to work with schools and do cuts for children that cannot afford them a couple of times a year and/or possibly do prom hair for people with special needs. I also have a huge yearning to give back to Riley Children’s Hospital as my son has been a RILEY kid since birth and they were always so wonderful. Not sure if there is something I could do there to give back with what I do but would love the opportunity!”
Book Danielle today via cell at 317-294-2624 or through her Facebook page- Mane3sixty
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