We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful D. STARR. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with D. below.

Alright, D. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?

Having been in the beauty industry for almost 20 years, I’ve worked in many different specialties; all while attempting to create an inclusive, diverse, and most of all SAFER space for all human artists. As a femme presenting queer (lesbian) woman, she/her, I have personally struggled with lack of visibility in my industry. It means something to be able to see a version of yourself in the top tiers of an industry you’ve given your literal blood, sweat, and tears to. Not only does it give you confidence and passion to continue pursuing your own goals, but it creates a sense of personal connection or vulnerability; which usually means you’ve found a safer space/person. Isn’t that all many of us want: To feel safe and confident in our chosen career, so we can create the art we’re meant to share with the world?? How much new talent do we lose each year because new stylists don’t know how to find their space, or even what that needs to look like for THEIR personal goals and needs? I was so frustrated with not only the lack of true representation of BIPOC and queer artists, but with the insane amount of virtue signaling from corporations since, (also before let’s be honest), the BLM movement. I think 2020 really did make us take a closer look at how we allow ourselves to be treated by corporations who offer the bare minimum of inclusivity and diversity.

I left my salaried, corporate education job because I did not feel comfortable, safe, or seen. After 2020, I did a lot of work on my own internal insecurities regarding my worth as a queer female in the beauty industry. I realized that at no point is sacrificing my own mental health, respect, integrity, or time, equatable to a dollar amount. After that everything really just fell into place. I wrote a professional letter of resignation, of which I accidentally Forwarded a previous subject line that said “GTFO Bitch”, to my boss; yes that actually happened. The next day two amazing solo studio spaces fell into my lap. A colleague I have worked with in runway had an affordable studio I could rent and make my own. It’s where I was able to create an entire space with intention. Intention of a safer space for individuals who not only feel alienated and isolated by a society where cisgendered heteronormative Caucasian is the default, but a space where anyone can come in and just be. Whether that means receiving a service or not, my studio, D. STARR HAIR von House of NonTradition is the beginning of a shift this industry has been needing. One where we value the human behind the chair for the human they authentically are; not how they look, how they identify, what their gender is or isn’t. I wanted to not only create this safer space for all those who have been deemed “NonTraditional” by a society of Nuclear Family indoctrination, but for myself. So that I could finally say that I have a safer space where not only do I feel valued and seen, but I am accepted for the authentic self I never thought I was allowed to be.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been in the beauty industry since 2008. I’ve worked almost every single aspect this industry has to offer for a cosmetologist, and recently opened my own studio to be a safer space for all those human beings who have ever been told they’re not “traditional” enough for society in some capacity. I wanted to have a space where anyone can receive the self care THEY specifically need, without the stigmas and stereotypes society has placed on many of us. With that same mission in mind, I’m also working with an amazing group of humans on a non-profit concept to accompany the work we’ve all tried so hard to accomplish solo.

My passion is education as the great equalizer. This industry is constantly guilty of regurgitating the same techniques with new names, and then hoarding that education as if it’s never been seen or done before. But there’s no stopping those that truly want to learn. I believe there’s nothing I can do, that any stylist in one of my classes couldn’t, with the same education. I love being a mentor and sounding board for stylists in this industry who started how I did; with zero connections, assistance, or mentorship and need direction. If I can spare one new stylist from dealing with half the things I had to, then I’ve succeeded. If I can provide a space where a stylist feels comfortable to be their authentic self while creating their version of art, I call that success. We truly are in this together; there are enough clients for everyone, and enough space in this industry for any licensed beauty professional to find their passion, wherever that may be.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I attended the Aveda Institute Denver for my cosmetology education. Due to migraines during my cosmetology school career, I was 2% below what was needed for attendance hours to be able to “graduate.” Which I was unaware of until this moment. So two weeks before our scheduled graduation ceremony, I was called into the admissions office and Aveda terminated my contract. They told me I wouldn’t be graduating with my class, and I would have to take the entire last phase (8 weeks) over; while also paying for those additional 8 weeks. I was never offered any other solution to make up the literal 2% needed to graduate. This was before Aveda was accredited, so there weren’t options for financial assistance other than Sally May. Rather than choosing to let this change the course of the career I thought I was working towards, I chose to enroll at Empire Beauty School and finish the hours needed to receive my license. It would’ve been easy to blame anyone else for why I was a “beauty school dropout,” and just go back to the 20something party life. It was one of the first moments where I realized that things don’t have to work out the way you’ve planned, and going through life with rigid expectations is just another way to set yourself up for disappointment. If the result and end goal are the same, the journey it took to get there doesn’t really matter in the long run; it’s what you learned about yourself when the journey forces you to pivot.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Authenticity. When you’re authentically yourself, it allows you to make personal connections with other humans and be vulnerable. I’m trusted by those people bc they know what they’re going to get with me, whether that’s a negative or a positive I will always be up front and explain the WHY. There’s no hidden agenda or ulterior motives to anything I do within this industry. My main goal has always been to authentically show up, bc that’s what I need to do for myself. Everything else is just an added bonus. Let go of the fear. The only person who’s approval you need, is your own.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daniellestarrhair.com
• Instagram: @thedaniellestarr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellestarrhair
• Linkedin: @DanielleStarr
• Twitter: @DSTARRHAIR
• Youtube: http://www.YouTube.com/user/deedoeshair
• Yelp: https://g.co/kgs/nqVaat
• Other: @greencirclesalon @thedresscodeproject

Image Credits
Editorial photos: @drossa