Meet Dani Oglesby | Diverse Hair Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dani Oglesby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dani, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
I’ve learned to stay in alignment with my goals no matter what, and every step I took as a hairstylist had to be a step in that direction.. A lot of people walking this Earth don’t have the capacity to see or believe beyond a certain limit. So when you share your dreams and goals with them they just cant understand why you would “risk so much” or “go through all of that” for YOUR DREAM. And if you are not secure, focused, or locked in on your goals, that “out-side” noise will make you question yourself. As a hairstylist, people could not understand why I didn’t want to be behind the chair in a salon all day, because it is so much money to be made doing it that way. I have always wanted to do more with hair, editorial, tv, etc. I have always felt like my gift to create and my passion need to be shared with the world on a big platform.

I have also learned patience and this one was a hard one for me. When things aren’t happening as fast as you would like, it can be discouraging. But it’s best to not rush the process, because you don’t want to get that “opportunity” too fast and you aren’t ready for it. Everything happens when it is supposed to and as long as you stay in alignment, don’t veer off the path, believe in what you’re doing, and focus it will HAPPEN. And I can honestly say, thats what happened in my case.

I wouldn’t change anything, the struggles, the tears, the hard work, the years it took. It was part of my path and I am grateful for it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What is different about my story, is that I never wanted to be a hairstylist after attending cosmetology school in high school. It was absolutely boring and I just had no interest. So I decided, that I would be a criminal defense attorney.

I got pregnant with my daughter while away at college and after having her attempted to finish my studies by taking the hour and a half drive to the campus from my home 3 days a week. I made the decision that getting my cosmetology license and becoming an entrepreneur would be the best case scenario for me and my daughter if I wanted a flexible schedule to finish and go to law school. So the only reason I went to cosmetology school was to finish college without having to ask a boss” for time off for school.

I would work my regular job 7:30am-4:15pm (mon-fri) and go to cosmetology school 5:15pm-9:15pm (mon-thurs) and every Saturday 8am-5pm for two years. I actually cant tell you how I finished because it was so hard and stressful. It was definitely not easy. But while in cosmetology school, for the second time, it was brought to my attention that hairstylists did not have to be behind a chair all day. They can go onsite for weddings, tv, editorial, movies…. And thats when I was was like “oh yeah, I cant imagine doing anything else.”

I also, found that there are not a lot of hairstylist in this industry that can service woman of color and women with afro- textured hair on set or in fashion. I knew immediately that wanted to be the type of hairstylist that can service anyone with hair, no matter the texture, especially women of color. I am proud to be an artist signed with Texture Management, who’s mission is directly aligned with my passion and goals for changes in this industry.

The drive behind my creative hair looks on black women is to highlight them and their hair texture. When I decide to start The Bae, a multicultural hair and beauty pop-up experience, I was driven by my experience working in multiple salons and with clients of hair texture. The lack of blow out bars and bridal/event hairstylists that can take care of any woman =, including those with Afro-textured hair is astounding. Beautiful hair is attainable for everyone, no matter the hair texture. From day one, I wanted to any client that sat in my chair to be confident and comfortable that I was experienced and cared about the integrity of the hair. Thats what I stand for and thats what my brand stands for.

I truly believe that the reason why everything is happening with my career and brand is due to me staying true to myself, my vision and not listening to the “outside noise.” I wanted to change the industry from the beginning and I am doing just that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting the city and I wanted to show them the best time. We would definitely hike, Runyon Canyon. I would take her to have lunch at Yard House and Met Him At A Bar. The Getty Museum would be a nice spot to visit too. Me and my friends like to eat so we would definitely spend more of our time eating and at the beach…. Venice Beach of course.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this Shout Out to my daughter, Destinee. I gave birth to her at 21 and had it not been for her I would not be a hairstylist……. I would have been a lawyer instead. I went to cosmetology school, only hoping to have the flexibility as an entrepreneur to finish college and be there for her when she needed me. Instead I ended up falling in love with the industry and my craft.

We have literally grown up together and been through so much together. She and her brother deserve the world and I am on my way to delivering that. They have both taught me patience and love. And I know that because of my children, I am filled with empathy, determination, and passion.

Website: www.baebarindy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolled_by_dani/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-oglesby-9934b3166

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Your.Hair.Bae/

Image Credits
Picture #1 Model: Angelique Mua: Jon Gregory Photogropher: Jeanie Stehr Stylist: Sariah Blood Picture #2 Model: Rhiann Mua: Jon Gregory Photographer: Reggie W. Picture #3 Model: Denise (LModelz) Mua: Jon Gregory Photographer: Wil Foster Picture #4 Model: Chrishon (LModelz) Photographer: Callie Zimmerman Mua: Jon Gregory Stylist: Sariah Bloom Picture #6 Celebrity: Natasha Rothwell Picture #8 Model: Angelique A. (LModelz) Photographer: Wil Foster Mua: Jon Gregory Wardrobe: Damaged Petals llc