We recently connected with Dayna Cakebread and have shared our conversation below.

Dayna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A Turning Point in My Career

When I started 30 years ago, I had the technical skills, the passion, and a strong foundation from cosmetology school. But something was missing. My clients weren’t coming back. I could give them great haircuts, but I wasn’t creating lasting connections. I was frustrated, doubting my career, and on the verge of quitting.

Then, everything changed.

I’ll never forget the day a new client walked in, clutching a picture of Jennifer Aniston—the iconic “Rachel” haircut from Friends. But this client looked nothing like Jennifer Aniston. She had a round face, long frizzy dark brown hair, and a completely different texture. My first instinct? “There’s no way this cut will work.”

But instead of saying no, I asked her, “What about this haircut speaks to you?”

Her answer stopped me in my tracks: “It makes me feel friendly, playful, and approachable.”

That was my lightbulb moment. She wasn’t just asking for a haircut—she was asking for a feeling, an identity, a way to show up in the world. It wasn’t about replicating Jennifer Aniston’s hair; it was about capturing the essence of how she wanted to feel.

Afterward, we focused on the emotional outcome. The tears in her eyes, the moment she connected to her own beauty, was a game changer. That was when I truly understood the power of what we do as stylists.

That day marked the birth of my 3 To Be Me consultation system. I stopped focusing solely on what my clients wanted and started discovering why they wanted it. I asked better questions, connected emotionally, and tailored every experience to their personal vision.

Within a year, my entire business transformed—I was fully booked, raising my prices every six months, and building a loyal following. More importantly, I discovered what truly makes a great stylist: It’s not just mastering the how of cutting hair; it’s understanding the why.

That shift changed my career—and it’s changed the way I teach others to approach their craft ever since.

Dayna, 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?

For those who may not know me, I’m Dayna Cakebread, a hairstylist, salon owner, and industry educator with over 30 years of experience. My journey into the beauty industry started like many others—I had a passion for hair and a strong technical foundation from cosmetology school. But early in my career, I realized that technical skills alone weren’t enough. Clients weren’t just looking for a great haircut; they were looking for a deeper connection to their own beauty. That realization led me to develop my 3 To Be Me consultation system, a revolutionary approach that helps stylists understand not just what a client wants, but why they want it.

Through my work, I provide salon owners and stylists with the tools they need to build stronger client relationships, increase retention, and elevate their businesses. I offer customized training programs, leadership coaching, and business strategies designed to help salons grow, improve stylist confidence, and create lasting success. What sets me apart is my ability to bridge the gap between technical skill and emotional connection—helping stylists transform not just hair, but lives.

One of the biggest challenges in the beauty industry today is the multigenerational bridge gap—the disconnect between seasoned professionals and new stylists entering the field. The 3 To Be Me philosophy addresses this by providing a structured yet personalized framework that allows experienced stylists to mentor the next generation while honoring their own expertise. It helps create a salon culture where knowledge is passed down, passion is reignited, and every stylist—regardless of age or experience—feels valued and prepared for success.

I’m most proud of the impact my approach has had on the industry. I’ve seen struggling stylists become fully booked, salon teams become more cohesive, and clients walk away feeling truly seen and valued. My mission is to redefine what it means to be a great hairstylist—moving beyond trends and techniques to focus on authentic connections that make both clients and professionals thrive.

For anyone looking to elevate their salon experience—whether as a client, stylist, or salon owner—I want them to know that beauty isn’t just about the end result; it’s about the individual lifestyles, the transformation, and the confidence that comes with it. That’s what 3 To Be Me is all about.

Any advice for managing a team?

Here’s my advice:

One of the biggest keys to running a great team is understanding that not everyone communicates the same way—especially when you’re working with multiple generations. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all grew up in different worlds, which means they bring different work styles, expectations, and ways of communicating to the table.

The trick? Instead of letting those differences create frustration, use them to build a stronger, more connected team. Take the time to understand how each generation prefers to communicate, what motivates them, and what makes them feel valued. When you do, you’ll start seeing better teamwork, trust, and loyalty.

A great way to bridge the gap is by setting a baseline communication style—something that works for everyone. That means having open conversations in meetings and one-on-one check-ins, where people can share how they work best. When people feel heard and respected, they’re way more likely to stay engaged and invested.

At the end of the day, we all want the same things: to feel seen, valued, and understood. Paying attention to where someone comes from and how they were conditioned to communicate can go a long way in creating a workplace where everyone thrives. It’s not about changing who we are—it’s about finding new ways to connect and work better together.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2005, I opened my second salon with a big goal in mind—I wanted to train freshly graduated stylists using my 3 To Be Me Consultation Method and see if I could get the entire team fully booked in under a year. If it worked, I planned to franchise the concept.

Between 2006 and 2010, life threw everything at me. I was raising two small children, went through a divorce, remarried, and in 2010, my oldest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. Even though my salon was successful, I had to step away from the public eye to focus on her recovery. That became my priority. Thankfully, after years of treatment and resilience, she is now a healthy 23-year-old.

After seven years away, in 2017, I was ready to dream again—but this time, I wanted to create something bigger. I shifted my focus to education, spending countless hours crafting the ultimate salon training system designed to guarantee high-end client service. I built a seven-module assessment-based program and tested it with select salons—Vann Studio in Seattle and Hair Lab Salon in Detroit—who both saw increases in product sales, client loyalty, and word-of-mouth referrals.

By 2024, I launched an online educational platform on Open Learning, doing everything from video production to editing and writing—alongside three industry experts who helped fine-tune the content. But I knew having a great system wasn’t enough—I needed the right marketing and industry validation before fully going live.

Today, 3 To Be Me is evolving again, helping salons onboard new stylists while bridging the multigenerational gap in the industry. Salon owners are struggling to retain stylists, and new stylists aren’t keeping clients—this disconnect needs to be addressed.

I wanted to create a new way of beauty behind the chair—one that brings connection, purpose, and artistry back to the forefront. So now, I’m starting a revolution in the way we connect, consult, and rediscover the joy of being artists again. Because 3 To Be Me isn’t just a consultation method—it’s a movement that’s redefining the future of the beauty industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://3tobemesalontraining.com
• Instagram: 3tobemehair
• Linkedin: daynacakebread

Image Credits

Photographer: Amy Marie Parker & Dayna Cakebread