We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dannielle Robeson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dannielle, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

One of my clients had come in to get her hair done and we were talking about her wedding photos, she had informed me that they had in fact never received their photos back from the photographer from their wedding. I was horrified and felt so deeply for them as they had also asked that everyone please keep their phones away as they had hired a photographer to shoot their wedding day. Never once did they think that she would show up and take photos and then never deliver the photos. To top it off to also then disappear with the photos and their money. Every bride and grooms worse nightmare. They had tried everything they could to get their photos from her…even if it was only a couple. They just wanted something.

All of this just did not sit well with me and I knew something must be done. I decided to reach out to the groom and see if we could potentially surprise her with a styled shoot. We would set up a “wedding day” for them and gift them photos of a recreated wedding day. He was all in. I set out to find other wedding vendors that I thought would not only match the original style of their wedding date, but who I thought would match their personalities as well. Her husband helped me coordinate with close family members as well to be a part of this day.

On the day of the styled shoot we were able to completely surprise her. She thought she was going wine tasting.
We had everyone wear their original outfits they wore to the wedding day. Her mom came early and brought her dress, boots, the suits, and keepsakes they had for the original wedding.

Her first surprise was her husband getting down on one knee again and asking if she would marry him. Then she came inside where she was surprised with hair and makeup and then surprised again by taking her into the room where her mom and sister were at with her wedding dress. As she was getting her hair and makeup done, we had secretly coordinated to have everyone setting up a ceremony site as well as the reception site.

Since this was all a surprise to her when she showed up to the ceremony all of their family was there waiting. After a special ceremony of getting to say their vows again and recommit their love to each other, they were showered with sparkling rose and a cake cutting at the reception site.

It was such an honor to be able to provide something so meaningful to this couple, to provide them with wedding day photos that because of the surprise really exudes real and authentic emotions. To see just how happy she was and how appreciative they both were of the generosity they were gifted by all of the amazing and talented vendors involved to put it all together for them. Hearing her say how excited she was to finally fill all of her picture frames.

I know for me that this will be a day I will never forget.

Dannielle, 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 am a bridal hair and makeup artist specializing in the romantic and natural soft glam look allowing you to feel elevated but still YOU for your big day. My goal is to always having you feeling confident, radiant and comfortable. I have been in the beauty industry for about 16 years now. I got started after moving to Georgia as an apprentice but have always loved hair. As a kid I would play with all my friends hair, especially on our long bus rides. I would watch my hairstylist do my hair and think, hmmm I could do that, and my friends, crazy enough would let me. Apparently I wasn’t too bad, as they would come back for a style refresh haha.

Once in the hair industry, the lady I apprenticed under also did formal hair styling and I just fell in love with it and decided to start practicing that as well. I loved how beautiful my clients felt walking away. It’s also been fun seeing just how different the styles have morphed over the years as well. Eventually after landing in San Diego and really immersing myself in the wedding industry here, I saw the need to start adding makeup to my services I offered. Over the years I have learned to fine tune my style/craft and really get to know who my dream brides are. San Diego is such a great wedding destination spot and there truly is a bride and artist for everyone.

I love developing lasting relationships with my brides which is why I still work in the salon a couple days a week offering cuts and colors. This allows me to not only help them get their hair wedding ready but allows me to continue a relationship far beyond wedding day.

To take it even one step further, after seeing a little gap in the market, I decided to go back to school to get certified in holistic health and nutrition coaching. We have all heard brides say “sweating for the wedding”. I think it is so great to be active and move our bodies, but lets bring things full circle so you can feel just as radiant on the inside as you do on the outside for your wedding day by creating healthy habits that are sustainable far past wedding day.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think one of the things that has helped build my reputation is creating relationships with not only my clients but also the other vendors I get to work with on weddings.

By creating genuine lasting relationships you are building trust with others, therefore building credibility and referrals.

I also think consistency within in your brand. Knowing who you are and what you are offer and then consistently delivering that has helped me build my reputation as well.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I love listening to podcasts as I have lots of drive time in my car. I have found so much value in them and there are so many out there you can always change up what you are looking to focus on, I think some of my faves are for business:

The Legal Paige- she has such GREAT content for keeping you and your business “legally legit” as she says. Great tips for dos and don’ts in business.

The Goal Digger- love her business tips for growing and expanding your business, as well as work life balance

The Genius Life- I love this one for all the wonderful health and wellness tips him and his guest speakers have

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danniellerobeson.com
• Instagram: @dannielle_robeson
• Facebook: Hair and Beauty by Dannielle

Image Credits
Katherine Beth Photography Alyssa Boynton LovisaPhoto Brooke Limperis Dina Diaz Beginning and End Photo T + M Photo Co Rainbow Road Studios Dina Diaz