We recently connected with Danel Legatt and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Danel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

My situation is a little more unique then most business owners in our industry. Instead of building a business from the ground up, I was presented the opportunity to take over an already thriving business. I was working with this company for several years before taking over ownership and prior to that I had about 5 years in the industry working with other companies and clients. Having that previous experience has taught me so many important lessons that I feel will help continue to make me a better business owner. It has helped me to truly understand our contractors and clients and how to better serve them! Knowing what works well and what doesn’t. Things that I have seen help businesses and hurt businesses. I believe the best way to learn is to go through the experiences first hand!

Danel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in a small town near St. Cloud, MN. I had always had a passion for the beauty industry, so after graduating high school I went right into Cosmetology school! In 2010, I graduated Cosmetology school and moved to Anchorage, AK where I started my first job at a high end salon! My fiancé at the time, now husband, was stationed at the Air Force base near Anchorage. I worked at the salon doing cuts, colors, perms and makeup for about a year before we were relocated to Minot, ND. I continued to do hair on the side while living in ND but didn’t have the desire to go back into the salon atmosphere. We were in ND for about 2 years before we moved back to MN. We were pregnant with our second child and decided we wanted to raise our children near family! Shortly after settling back into MN, a friend of mine from beauty school had reached out to me. She had worked for a business who traveled on site to do hair and makeup for weddings and events and they were in need of another hair stylist! Since styling was always something that set me apart, she encouraged me to join the team. I decided to go for it since I had always loved styling and the job offered so much flexibility, which is what our family needed at that time!

It’s safe to say that I fell in love with the industry instantly! After several years in the industry, I was introduced to the previous owner of LVA. At the time they were looking for a lead hair stylist and I was intrigued by what the company stood for and had to offer! They were a smaller team that focused on delivering the best of the best for hair and makeup. Focusing on each client and giving them an experience that was different than any other company in MN! I was looking to grow as a stylist and felt this was the right decision for me, so I decided to jump on board. After about a year of being a lead hair artist for LVA, I was then asked if I would be interested in an admin role on top of the hair stylist position. This was something I was super excited about because I had always wanted to do more than hair in this industry but wasn’t sure what! Within my time as admin, I was able to learn how to navigate all that there is behind the scenes of running a business. I was slowly being given more and more roles and proved I was capable of handling the different tasks. Eventually I was presented with the opportunity to purchase LVA! I was thrilled for this new chapter! The previous owner had set an amazing foundation for the business which made it a very easy transition for me. My views as a business owner were very much aligned to those that were already there prior to me taking over. I had always been so passionate about the brides I served! Not only wanting them to have the best services they have ever received but also the best experience! This is the one day each bride dreams about and we are there to exceed those expectations! Listening and understanding what each client is looking for, being patient with them as sometimes it can take a bit to find your perfect look, and making them feel the most beautiful they have ever felt is so important to us. It is my priority to keep our team of artists aligned with the same views and talents needed to continue to stand out! I am so proud to be able to lead this amazing team and continue to grow as artists and a company!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I believe it is giving your clients the best experience! Delivering them a quality service, along with a personable touch will make all the difference. The best way to grow our clientele is through referrals. If we can give an unforgettable experience to a client, they are likely to share with their friends and family!

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

For me, it has helped that I have been on the other end of a team. I know what it feels like working for a company that cares and how that can trickle into every part of your team and company. It’s important for your team to know they are valued! Taking that time to get to know a bit of their personal lives and what they value, will help make you a better leader to them. Doing things together as a team and having fun is a great way to maintain high morale! It is also important to set boundaries and maintain a level of respect between each person. There should be a good balance between the both to have a healthy working relationship!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ladyvampartistry.com
• Instagram: @ladyvampartistry
• Facebook: Lady Vamp Artistry

Image Credits
Mallory Gregory Photography Danielle Christensen Photography Erin Rae Photography Russell Heeter Carly Mac Photography Natasha Furduy Photography Joe and Jen Photo