We were lucky to catch up with Danny Maltagoya recently and have shared our conversation below.

Danny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I took a huge risk years ago that resulted in me spending 10 yrs in Michigan prison. Before prison I had started attending classes at a local cosmetology/barber school however before finishing the required amount of hours I found myself being sentenced to 15 yrs in prison. In prison you were expected to work and assigned a job. They would allow you to pick 3 different kind of jobs you may like. Earlier on during an orientation I had,one of the counselors noticed I had some experience/education for cutting hair and suggested I work as a prison barber! That initial suggestion led to me being a barber in prison for about 8 of the 10 yrs. It was during this time that I was given so much valuable experience and not only with different kinds of hair and styles but also people! I was able to apply myself without any financial pressure or obligations,in that way I could truly focus on just being better.
Some years into my sentence,some laws changed in Michigan and my sentence was reduced from 15 to 10. I was granted parole at 10 yrs and was headed to Texas to start risk #2.
I came to Texas not knowing anyone but my parents. I had a viable true skill but didn’t know where to finish school to obtain my license and what I would do moving forward. I started my journey working full-time at a local thrift store and saved my money for a year to buy tools and put myself thru school to finish my license. I eventually found a school that accepted my previous hours and enrolled at the school while quitting the thrift store. Shortly after starting school I worked in a pizza shop and would continue until I graduated. Upon graduation I worked in 2 diff barbershops splitting my time between the 2 AND the pizza shop. I continued like this building clientele until I built enough momentum to quit the pizza shop. Around the same time I went to work 7 days at one of the barbershops. Not too long after working like this I became an educator for an international men’s product line! As momentum was building for me in my career at this time I decided to go solo and opened my own business! Im celebrating 7 successful blessed years this month!
Risks are always learning experiences,you can learn a lot about yourself by taking risks. You just hope you’re learning curve isn’t too steep,lol.

Danny, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I became interested in hair in the 7th grade. I so wanted my haircut all the time but had no money and didn’t know where to go if I did. One of my neighbors was a stylist and owned some Oster 76 classics..iykyk..these are classic classics! Lol. She cut my hair a few times and told me I could borrow them to learn how to cut my own hair. Well,Terry,little did you know that you planted a seed! Thank you! My intention is to offer a very personable service with high attention to detail. I pay attention to our conversations,I remember names,things that we discussed,I remember pet names, spouse names,etc. I remember what number you like on the side,your preference for your sideburns,what kind of product I used in your hair,etc. That’s something Ive heard from many people,how surprised they are by what I remember about them.
I find interesting topics of conversation that we can laugh about,have serious talks about,I look for ways to connect.
I make sure to always give the necessary time to do complete work. Mood in the shop can be lofi,90s hip-hop, lounge music,chillhop but it’s always a vibe. I love explaining to someone in the chair if we cut this like this then this will happen which may mean this is a possibility..and watching them have an aha moment.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect for me is being able to create in a space that I create…everyday. I’m able to have great interesting conversations with great interesting people while many times giving them great interesting haircuts!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think non creatives think maybe a bit more conservatively,more linearly. Things need to make sense. Creatives often times feel compelled to follow a feeling or passion. As a creative you’ll feel drawn to something…it may show up again and again,you’ll think about it until you live it and only then will you start to feel realized in your gift.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Maltagoya1
• Facebook: Maltagoya1
• Other: Google – maltagoya1/studio 16