Adventures of a Wellbeing GURU

Danielle Garner has an honest approach to business and life. Here she talks about how this has helped her become a successful hairdresser, educator and entrepreneur

What has been your career journey so far?

After working in a salon for 11 years, I learnt to master my craft. But as I grew as a person, I knew I had to create my own path. So, in 2017 I attended my first Paris Fashion Week and opened my own salon, Wildflower. Since then, I have built a strong salon team of 23, a business operating at 98% capacity with a six-month waiting list for new clients, and have developed my role as a session stylist.

What do you love most about being a Salon Owner?

I love that I have been able to create a safe space for artists to be the best and most authentic version of themselves, and to grow and develop in the skill set and niche of our craft. I love being part of something more than just myself, and helping those around me is my favourite part of the journey.

What are the challenges you’ve faced so far in your career?

I was told I shouldn’t be a hairdresser in school, and I was told I’d never be an excellent hairdresser when I was training. I found cutting and precision hard but fought through the difficulties to get to a place where I love it. I also found the struggle between work and life difficult, and when I was employed, I found it harder to do the things I loved in my craft because they weren’t deemed as ‘work’. This includes bridal, editorial and fashion work, that today make up a significant part of my business. Launching my business at 25, and having a baby at 26, was probably the hardest time but the most worthwhile.

Why do you think it is important for salons to focus on wellness?

I think we have somehow lost a sense of what it feels like to live well in our day-to-day lives. People forget that working makes up most of our days and if you’re not treated as a human or connecting with your purpose, you start to become mentally and physically unwell. Whatever keeps you well and happy should be prioritised in your daily life. You need to nurture balance. This promotes a sense of purpose and drive on the days we work.

What’s next for Danielle Garner?

I launched my education business last year and it’s been a beautiful journey. I would like to develop ideas that can support salons and stylists. We are also opening a new space that will be tending to the needs of the creative – it’s more of a workshop and content creation studio. I have so many new concepts and ideas that I want to bring to fruition. They just keep coming so I’ll just keep flowing with them. I act on intuition, if it feels good – I do it.

2008
Began hairdressing career

2013
Qualified as a hairstylist

2017
Opened Wildflower

2021
Won Ireland L'Oréal Colour Trophy Award