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

Hi DJ, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

Oh my gosh yes! I wish I would have just realized in high school that I wanted to be a hairstylist, and that I would have been good at it. In high school I was a sophomore in a senior film making class and at the end of the term we had to make a short film. And in my video, I was a super hero with the ability to move fast like Superman, and regular world identity was a hairstylist. Although I am happy that I have my business degree, I would have probably done things a little! Different. Before I actually went to school for hair I worked in 2 different salons. And one is here I met my best friend and the owner of the salon I started working after I completed beauty school. She is actually the reason I went to school. She sold me “ You can learn a technique, you can’t learn a personality. You can talk to people which is important to being a hairstylist.” So that’s what I did.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I would definitely say what sets me apart from others is the experience that I provide. I want for my clients to be excited and to see me and to look forward to getting their haircut. Because it should absolutely be an experience. Not a chore. I begin every haircut with a 5 minute scalp massage using essential oil with the overhead lights off. Followed by a luxury shampoo and another scalp massage, followed up with the cut and blow dry style. I like to joke and say “you get a free haircut with every scalp massge purchased. I also like to do refills for my clients with their shampoo and conditioner, so that bottled don’t end up in landfills. Did you know that the beauty industry has 855 lbs of waste every minute??!! I like to carry only brands that are very earth conscious, therefore I use L’ANZA, Living Proof, Leaf and Flower and Kevin Murphy. Each line has one step they are taking to become climate friendly.

So this comes as no surprise to anyone that I am 100% a people pleaser. I want people to like me so I go above and beyond to make people feel welcome. I mainly want people to think only positively about me when I’m gone. I can’t say that I love I have lasted as long as I have on my own, but I’m so proud of the fact that I have started a business during the pandemic using my own money, and not owing loans. Sure my personal finances aren’t great, but my business is in the black!!!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of my career is seeing the difference I can possibly make in someone’s life. And the instant gratification. Love me some instant gratification!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to not give up. I will do anything and everything I can to make the biggest positive impact I can make,

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.hairbydjw.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hairbydjw
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/hairbydjwilke
• Email: [email protected]
• Online Booking: www.salonlofts.com/dj_wilke/schedule