When I was little, I occasionally thought my Barbies needed a fresh style. I gave them cute little bobs, sassy layers, whatever Barbie and I were feeling that day. When I cut one of them into what I thought would be an adorable pixie, only to find out that Barbie does not, in fact, have a head full of hair but instead basically has tufts of stubble, I thought my dreams of hair dressing were over. She was none too pleased, and I learned that Barbies with pixies look like Pinhead.

 

My dad, direct as he is, and my mother, kind as she is, always supported what I wanted to do

for a career, so I was encouraged to move forward with my vision.

 

Except for a short time that I thought I may want to be a ceramicist or an art therapist,

my love for hair never wavered. 

 

Once I was licensed and working, my newbie stylist friends and I did things to each other's hair that would make many shudder. We were broke, curious, and fearless, which lends itself to some questionable hair choices. But I learned a few things in those early years that

developed my personal and professional character:

 

 

being broke creates hunger -

a desire to be and do better.

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Being curious helps us understand that

we’re not limited by what we are told we are able to accomplish.

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being fearless causes us to do things

without much thought for why we “shouldn’t”,

which helps us make discoveries others may miss.

 

I have had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented stylists over the years.

I’ve learned so much (what works, what doesn’t, and how to listen to those around me while also listening to my instincts), and stuck all of it in my back pocket in preparation for one day

making my vision a reality.

 

I’ve gotten to be an educator with an international beauty company, I’ve traveled and been to classes all over the country. I have overseen educational operations and managed other high end salons. I’m so grateful for the gift of being able to do this for a living, and helping others

grow into who they’re made to be, too.

 

So I guess this is where I’m supposed to tell you my favorite type of hair or preferred service,

what I’m good at, what my strengths are. But I can’t do that. I love it all. I love the challenge.

I love to troubleshoot. I love to predict what hair will be doing weeks from now.

I love to help guests think through their decisions. Knowing how to listen, to ask the right questions, and translate those things is as important as being able to implement the actual style.

The journey is as valuable as the end result.

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A friend and client asked me one time why I wanted to own a salon, and I didn’t have an answer. Honestly, I’d never considered why. So, after much prayer and reflection, I realized it was because I simply thought I could do it better than anyone else. EEEK. That’s embarrassing. But it’s true.

That searching led me to understand that SHYNE isn’t mine, it's a Collective that belongs to the Lord, and I get to be the steward of something really special. 

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I intend that everyone who enters our space feels welcomed, cared for, and uplifted. 

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-Dari