We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Palmer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.
Daniel , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?
Creating a truly inclusive workplace starts with listening — really listening — to people’s stories, needs, and experiences. For me, inclusivity isn’t a box to tick; it’s something deeply personal and foundational to everything we’ve built with the Daniel K. Palmer brand. Growing up in Australia and then working in cities like London, New York, and LA, I saw firsthand how diverse voices and perspectives can elevate a space — and also how damaging it can be when people feel unseen or unwelcome.
One moment that’s always stayed with me was early in my career, being in a salon space where clients and staff who didn’t fit a certain mold — whether that was based on race, gender identity, or style — were subtly made to feel ‘othered.’ It lit a fire in me. I knew that if I ever had the opportunity to create my own space, it would be one where everyone feels represented, celebrated, and safe.
That’s why at the Daniel K. Palmer Salon, diversity and inclusivity are woven into the very design of the space, the services we offer, and the team we continue to built. We welcome all hair textures, gender expressions, and backgrounds — not as an afterthought, but as a reflection of the world we live in. Our clients feel that energy the moment they walk in, and our team feels empowered to show up fully as themselves. And that, to me, is where creativity, connection, and real beauty thrive
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’m Daniel K. Palmer — an Australian-born hairstylist, colorist, and creative, with a passion for helping people feel like the most powerful version of themselves. My journey started on the beaches of Australia, where I first fell in love with the natural beauty of sun-kissed hair and effortless style. Over the years, I took that passion global, working in fashion-forward cities like London, New York, and LA — each place shaping not just my craft, but my perspective on what beauty truly means.
Opening my own salon — the Daniel K. Palmer Salon — was a dream born from years of listening, learning, and wanting to create something more meaningful than just a place to get your hair done. I wanted to build a sanctuary where beauty, inclusivity, and artistry could coexist in a way that felt fresh, soulful, and deeply personal.
Our services span from lived-in color and balayage to precision hair cutting, extensions, men’s grooming, and everything in between. But more than that, we’re solving a bigger problem — so many people walk through life feeling disconnected from their own beauty or like they don’t fit into the traditional beauty narrative. At our salon, we flip that script. We embrace individuality, celebrate texture, gender, and culture, and create an experience where every person who walks through our doors feels seen, understood, and taken care of.
What sets us apart is that this is not a cookie-cutter salon. The space is thoughtfully designed — inspired by my travels through Mexico, Australia, London, and NYC — with a balance of warmth, luxury, and edge. You’ll find sun-drenched natural materials alongside moody, sexy details that make the space feel both grounding and elevated. We’re intentional about every touchpoint — from the lighting that enhances your features to the music, the coffee bar, the scent, and of course, the people.
What I’m most proud of is the culture we are creating. My team is diverse, passionate, and talented — each person bringing their own magic to the space. We’re not here to change people; we’re here to highlight the beauty that already exists. Whether you’re getting a full transformation or just needing a safe space to unwind and be pampered, we’re here for you.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and the Daniel K. Palmer brand, it’s this: we’re not just doing hair — we’re creating connection, confidence, and community. And we’re doing it with heart, integrity, and intention.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience has been the driving force behind every chapter of my life and career. I left home at 15 and followed my passion for hair. It was a bold move at that age, but I knew I had to bet on myself. I threw myself into an apprenticeship, learning the craft from the ground up. That early independence taught me to trust my instincts and work hard for what I wanted.
At 18, I moved to Melbourne to grow creatively, and by 21 I was living in London, navigating a new world, industry, and life in a massive city. I arrived with very little and got knocked down more than once—literally and figuratively—but I never let those experiences define me. I pushed forward, built my reputation, and found my voice as a creative.
Eventually, I made the move to Los Angeles in my 30s, driven by the dream of building something of my own. That’s when another, deeper part of my journey unfolded—I got sober. At the time, I realized I was no longer living in alignment with the person I wanted to be. Sobriety became my most powerful act of resilience. It forced me to slow down, face myself honestly, and rebuild from the inside out. I’m now eight years sober, and it’s changed everything—my clarity, creativity, relationships, and how I lead in my business.
Opening the Daniel K. Palmer Salon in West Hollywood was a full-circle moment. It’s the culmination of decades of hard work, personal transformation, and relentless belief in the power of showing up—especially on the hard days. What sets our brand apart isn’t just the quality of the work, it’s the intention behind it. We’ve created a space where everyone feels seen and celebrated. Diversity and inclusivity aren’t trends for us—they’re part of the DNA of everything we do.
When I think about resilience, it’s not just about overcoming challenges—it’s about evolving through them. From that 15-year-old kid chasing a dream, to navigating different continents, to rebuilding my life in sobriety, each chapter taught me something vital. And every challenge made me a better artist, a more grounded leader, and a more present human.
Today, I’m proud to say I’ve built a business and brand that reflects those lessons. My team is diverse, talented, and aligned with our values. Our salon is a sanctuary for creativity, self-expression, and community. We’re not just doing hair—we’re holding space for people to feel powerful, beautiful, and deeply themselves.
If there’s one thing I hope people take from my story, it’s that you can reinvent yourself as many times as you need to. Resilience is about staying connected to your ‘why,’ trusting your path, and never giving up on the life you know you’re meant for.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that I needed to constantly prove my worth by doing more, saying yes to everything, and pushing myself to the brink. For a long time, I equated success with overworking — with always being busy, always hustling, and never showing vulnerability. I thought if I just kept pushing, kept producing, I’d earn respect, validation, and a sense of security.
But the truth is, that mindset almost burned me out — physically, emotionally, and creatively. There was a point, especially during the early days of my time in LA, where I was running on empty. I was trying to build a brand, show up for clients, maintain a social life, stay creative, and also navigate my own healing and sobriety journey. I was giving everything to everyone but leaving nothing for myself.
The turning point came when I realized that rest, boundaries, and saying no were not signs of weakness — they were actually signs of strength and self-respect. I had to unlearn this internalized pressure to constantly prove myself, and instead start trusting that I already was enough. My value wasn’t in how many hours I worked or how many people I could please — it was in the quality of the energy I brought, the intention behind my work, and the connection I created with others.
Now, I move differently. I still work hard — I love what I do — but I work from a place of alignment, not urgency. I create space to recharge, I protect my peace, and I teach my team to do the same. Because when we’re well, our creativity flows. Our work gets better. And we show up with so much more to give
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danielkpalmer.com
- Instagram: danielkpalmerhair and danielkpalmersalon
- Other: Tik tok
danielkpalmerhair
Image Credits
Photographer Paul Denoly
Insta @pauldenoly
Styling Laetitia Wajnapel
Insta @laetitiawajnapel