4x Your Income, Keep Healthy Boundaries, and Balance Life & Motherhood with Danielle White

This is an Earn Your Happy podcast episode (YouTube upload) in which Lori Harder interviews hairstylist-entrepreneur Danielle White. Danielle recounts going from financial ruin after the 2008/2009 market crash to inventing and branding the Natural Beaded Row (NBR) hair-extension method, raising prices dramatically, and scaling into a multimillion-dollar salon and education business. Major themes: setting and honoring boundaries (hours, pricing), delegating and building team culture, moving from service work to productized education (courses, certifications, an online academy), and balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood (four daughters) and marriage.
Chapters
This is like big in the hair industry. Is like, oh, I have boundaries. And they're like, well, she's willing to pay me more, so I'm going to let her affect my boundaries. I'm like, oh, so you'll take a $5,000, you know, extension client, but you won't take a $300 client. I'm like, that's not honoring your boundaries. Now you're just a high paid hooker. That's very true.
Welcome back to the earn your happy podcast. Thank you so much for choosing to spend this time with me. I know that you are getting pulled in a million different directions if you're anything like me. And it can be tough to fit in learning time to fit in personal development to fit in you time. So congratulations, you, you're doing amazing today and I wanted to offer you, as somebody who has taken the time to listen, a discount off of my product glossy. If you don't know what it is, it's a skin routine that you can drink. I'm telling you, I am obsessed. I drink two a day. You guys. I just went to Europe and I'm telling you, my gut felt so amazing. I did not feel bloated. I felt like it really helped me feel like a normal human being while traveling. You know what I'm talking about right off the top, we're talking about poop. Welcome all new people. You're either my people or you're not. This is your cue, you guys. I want to give you 25 off with code happy. All you have to do is go to getglosi.com and you can give it a try. I hope that you try it. I hope that you love it as much as me. It has changed my life. It's helped me drink a ton more water, do what I do try to a day. Otherwise one of course is absolutely amazing. But I'm telling you, traveling, it saved my life. So on the podcast today, I have Danielle White. I met Danielle by finding her actually through Instagram when I was looking for somebody to do my hair when I moved to California years and years ago. I found her because she did extensions and I needed a new extension person. Well, not only did she do hair, but she's the owner of DKW styling salon. She's the creator of natural beaded row hair extension method. She's the co host of the date your wife podcast with her husband Garrett that I just got to go on with my husband Chris. You guys, if you don't know Chris and I's story, like if you want the real deal. Like, very raw, very beginning of how we met. It is on her podcast. I actually had one of those moments where I was like, do I tell her to edit? Do I tell her to take things out? And we didn't. So you get all of the goods over there. Danielle is an incredibly inspiring entrepreneur. She's a mom of four. She puts her marriage with her husband Garrett first. And she has built a multi million dollar hair extension business from the ground up, navigating challenges as we all do along the way, we share a handful of things in common, from going broke during the financial crisis of 2008 to rebuilding multi million dollar businesses. Both of us attribute so much of the success we've created to work we've done on our mindset. We also share strategies that have helped us grow thriving businesses, from using online resources to grow your area of expertise, to ways we delegate and empower our teams. We talked all about how to develop a positive team culture, overcome limiting beliefs. And she shares tips for balancing business and family life as a busy mom. I'll tell you, I love this episode so much. And I got to see a side of Danielle that I didn't always get to see and I got pretty emotional. It's a really, really beautiful story that Danielle shares in here that I think is going to make your day. And let's get into the episode. Danielle, welcome to the Earn youn Happy podcast.
Thank you. I'm excited to be here. I feel like I invited myself to your podcast because we're at my house.
Guys, this is so fun. So I. You have a podcast. Yeah, which I get to watch some of your. Well, it's not necessarily always your podcast either. Cause you've done a lot of different things on YouTube that I've loved watching.
Yeah, I do a lot of YouTube and I do the pod. I do. I just throw shit at the wall and see if it sticks.
And this is exactly why I think I like you. You know, we had just done a podcast for your pod, so I feel like I got to drop in with.
You for a bit.
And you were saying, like, you feel like you connected with me even without necessarily knowing who I was. I felt that same exact way with you. And I have to tell you, because you guys, Danielle is like, not only a genius entrepreneur, but you're also like your roots. You started as a stylist and you will still sometimes do some people's hair with natural beaded rose. Nbr. The method that you've created. And I have gotten to get my Hair done by you multiple times. Yeah. And so the way that I found you was I had moved to Santa Monica, California, and I was like, heard that there was this like hand tied or natural beaded row or this woman that did this amazing job. And I had to figure out who it was. And I ended up just searching and searching and found you. The main person who created this method. People were telling me to get.
You're like, that's not too far.
So I shot my shot and I was like, hey, I'd love to get my hair done. I didn't know it was going to be by you.
It was like a few years ago.
This was a long time ago, actually. Long time ago. Ago at least. Oh, my gosh.
It was probably four or five years ago. It was before 2020, right?
Like a few years before the dark years. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Way before that. So I ended up shooting my shot and messaging you, and you ended up doing my hair. And I was like, I just. Anyone who creates something and is an entrepreneur and who works with a lot of people, I know that there are so many moving parts to that. And you have to be such an incredible leader. And I have to tell you that one of the things that was so impressive to me is, number one, you did my hair the first time. But the second time, when I got to get my hair done by someone who worked in your salon, I got to really see what type of leader you were. By the way that she was talking about you.
Yeah.
And so she was telling me about all of these different things that you had all of the stylists do that she loved, like, all the, like, goal setting and just being able to, like, talk to each other, like talk to the different stylists in the salon about, like, giving each other feedback and compliments. And I don't know what the thing was, but I'd love for you, if you remember what you were doing at the time, can you share a little bit about what you had them doing?
So it's so crazy. I. For me, I'm. I feel like salons can be a little bit catty. You know, it's a bunch of women and that kind of thing. And I'm very big on energy, like you said.
Yes.
And I'm like, hey, when women come in and get their hair done, I want it to be an experience. I want them to feel welcome. I don't want them to feel like they're just another person in a chair. You know, I want to feel like I'm going, you know, it's like when you go to a five star hotel and they're like, lori, good to see you. Yes. We know it's your anniversary and this and that. And I just wanted people to feel special. I also think too, when you're a woman that wears hair extensions, it's kind of scary. Like, my natural hair, I'm always like, I have like toddler hair. I'm like, I literally have homeless hair and it's like very vulnerable, right?
Yeah, totally.
And so I wanted women to feel like, safe and just feel like we're not like, you know, we're high end, but not. I don't want them to feel comfortable.
Yes.
And so that was that. It took me. I built an incredible team, but it took me a while to figure that out. Like, I literally had like three salon walkouts and like had these dark years like we've talked about and it's, you know, it, it, it didn't get any easier, but it got easier to have these tough conversations and really build this, this dream that I had. And these, these people that worked with me that got my vision. Right. I always tell people, like, especially in the salon world, I'm like, you can't save them. I'm like, so if you have somebody in your own space that makes your skin crawl a little bit, then they don't need to be there. Yeah. I'm like, and you need to really attract those people into your tribe, into your salon, whatever, that have the same vision that you do because then that's really when stuff starts to take off. That's when I can step away from my company. And I'm like, hey, I'm going to go to Dubai for the week. And I know they care about it more so than even I do. It's now their vision. So for me, that was huge in building my business and being able to step back and be a mom like I am today is. I. I was so obsessed with building the brand in the beginning and I was like, only I can do it, you know, it's like, I can't. I can't anybody. Like, I think it was like I was a control freak, but it was like my baby, you know, like, so as I started to kind of let go and to delegate and trust my teams and really get the right teams on board to have my vision, I think people started to notice. And it also is when my brand really started to take off. So there's this element of like, not just like delegating, but making sure that you do it where that people it.
Becomes their vision because you've done, like, masterminds. You do these big hair events. You have a podcast. The girls in your salon are doing personal development. Like, I remember sitting down, going, going. These women are literally doing personal development and treating each other better than I've. Any salon I had ever been in. And this was huge for me because I was doing so much work on my myself, that if I'm gonna go sit in a chair, which if you've never gotten hair extensions before, it's a long appointment, and I go blonde. So it's like, it can be sometimes six, seven hours, like, if I'm blonding as well. So it was important to me to be in good energy, because otherwise I hate it. I'm drained. Like, I'm not gonna do it. So I had this experience of something is so different here. I want to know more about this woman. So let's go. Let's actually start at the beginning.
Okay.
Let's go back there, because I want to know where you began, like, in your stylist journey to. Then go out, where, if you look on her social. You guys, there are events with what looks like thousands of women just, like, so excited, so empowered, all doing your method, all at these events. They're going gaga. I'm like, how do you go from what you're about to share to that point?
So it's crazy. So I've been doing hair for over 20 years. I'd been doing hair for about 10 years. And Garrett was in mortgages, and it was when the market crashed. When was that? Like, 2009.
Just talking about this 2008.
And we literally, like, he owned his own company. I was, like, driving a Range Rover, had two kids. I was like, oh, I built the picket fence in the dream life. And then the market crashed, and I was like, well, I'm a hairstylist. Like, babe, you figure it out.
Yeah.
Like, that literally was like, no, I'm a mom. I'm a hairstylist. Like, you figure it out. And it didn't get better. It just kept getting worse to the point where, like, we not only could we not pay our bills, but, like, we were hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.
But same at the same time. Okay, keep going.
I was like, it's fine. I still have my Range Rover. This'll pass. This silly thing will pass. And it just kept getting darker and darker and darker. And then I actually. I guess I'll share this, but I had found out my husband was having, like, an emotional affair with somebody else. And like, it was like the darkest time of my life. And I'm like, okay, I've got two babies, what am I gonna do? And we were kind of trying to fix our marriage at the time. I wasn't like, I was like, let's try to work this out.
Yeah.
And he was like, you should start a brand. And I was like, I'm a hairstylist. That's cute. And I'm like, I don't even know what a brand is. So I started by just putting myself on YouTube. And I felt so unqualified. I felt so stup stupid. The only people that were educating was like, Paul Mitchell, Vidal Sassoon.
Like, oh my God, big names.
And I'm like, hi, I'm Danielle. I literally was like, I created natural, beautiful hair extensions because I did. I had created this system of extensions that I was teaching for free but didn't have it branded. It was like, I was so obsessed with hair and like finding something that worked for fine textures and helped women.
You were just excited about that.
I was just so pumped to like, be doing hair. Like, I was like, these women who have struggled with their hair like me, they're like, I don't want extensions because it's too damaging. It's ruined my hair. And I was like, no, no, no. I wanted to solve a problem. Right. Similar to how we were talking about your product. You're like, what are women wanting? And I was like, they want natural looking hair extensions that aren't going to destroy their hair.
Totally.
So I had kind of built this system. I just hadn't branded it. And I told myself, I'm just a hairstylist. Right?
Yeah.
So I think, I mean, I have like a really, like, wild story similar to you, but, like, it's all stemmed with me being like, okay, well, I've got to make shit happen. Like, I've got to figure out a way to provide for my family. So it just, I had to get uncomfortable time and time again, get reps in, put myself out there. Instagram wasn't alive at the time. So I was just doing like, just YouTube in my bathroom and, and you know, saying like, hey. I started simply saying, like, hey, if you're interested in having me do your hair. And people started relating to me because I was just talking about how shitty my hair was. And so it was crazy. I, I, I started my brand actually in Gilbert, Arizona.
Oh my God.
So we lost everything. Like, literally. Like, we, I think, I think we had to. Oh, we did. We had to like, sell like Furniture out of our house just to literally, like, rent a U Haul.
You're freaking me out. Did you have the same thing?
Really?
Yes. We sold it on Craigslist. Like, and just. And we had just bought it all. And we just watched it walk out the door for, like, pennies on the dollar.
It felt good, though, right?
It felt liberating.
I felt. Yeah.
To, like, then, I don't know, it was. It was interesting.
But anyway, I felt like I was, like, holding onto a sinking ship. Like, I was, like, trying to be perfect. So I was like, well, we built. We. We hit the ceiling. I've got my Range Rover in my car. And then I was like, this is an ego. Like this.
Yes. Oh, yeah.
But it felt good. Like, we literally. We packed up, we started a new life in Arizona. It was a small town. This is something that I hear from artists all the time. They're like, well, I live in a small town, so I can't, like, I can't get these clients that are willing to pay thousands of dollars. And I. I'm like, well, I'm not going to believe that I'm going to. And I don't have a choice. Like, at the time, Garrett wasn't. Still wasn't making great money. He was trying to figure out his own brand.
Yeah.
And I was like, well, I've got to. The only skill I have right now in front of me is doing hair. So I've got to figure out how a way to make it work. And I realized that everything comes down to belief in yourself, number one. Yeah. But branding and positioning at the time, hand tied hair extensions was. It was a weft. It was just hand tied hair. It was the lowest selling hair in the marketplace, and now it is the highest, like, sought after extensions. People like, I want the hand tight, I want the sewn, you know?
Totally.
But back then when I started, like, I didn't even charge a lot because I didn't have belief in myself. I charged like 20 a row because, like, oh, my God, nobody was doing them.
Like, women are just like, oh, can we go back in time?
Literally. I know, right? But it's like everybody was paying tons for, like, the individual glue.
Oh, yeah.
Thousands of dollars. And I'm thinking like, okay, I'm like, I have. I like these better. Why can't I charge thousands of dollars? And I'm like, okay, well, I've got to figure out a way to, like, position myself, brand myself. And I realized inside of branding and marketing, it's all about authenticity, sales. Like, it doesn't matter. Like, yes, I wanted to be, like, a luxury service, but really in the beginning, because I didn't have what I have today. I had nothing. I lived in a tiny town that we could barely afford in Gilbert, Arizona. I didn't have all that I had today. So I was like, what can I sell? I can sell authenticity. I can talk about my story. I can talk about my shitty hair. And women were like. They all of a sudden were interested, but I had to believe in myself to ask them to pay me thousands of dollars.
Okay, let's talk about that journey. Because you just shared something with me before this. And you said, you know, because it's creepy how much I feel similar to you, which is also awesome. But you had said, you know, in my head, I was just like, a stylist, and I felt dumb or, like, not smart enough, or like, you. You just felt like you couldn't branch outside of that. So tell me how you went from literally that thinking, oh, I can't do anything outside of this. I'm just a stylist.
Right.
To going, oh, my gosh, I'm gonna jump from charging, you know, what was it, $20 a row, thousands of dollars to people. Yeah, yeah, tell me about that journey.
It was funny because I. My sister went through a divorce around the same time, and her. She left her husband, moved away, had three daughters, and she was like, yeah, I'm charging. She goes, I'm. Because at the time, I think I was charging, like, $200 for everything. She's like, yeah, I'm charging $1500. I'm thinking, how dare you? Because I had. I was, like, teaching. I had started my brand. I was on YouTube. I was like, how dare you? And then I was like, garrett, my husband, he's like, why can't you charge that? And I was literally like. It hit me like, a ton of Brooks. I was like, every story running. Story in my head was gone. Because I was like, she has no brand. She has the certainty that I don't have. And I was like, duh.
That gave me chills.
I literally was like, so you mean I can just say I charge $1,200? And he's like, yeah, it's almost like.
You'Re angry and excited at the same time.
What? And I was like, but what about my existing clients? Because at the time, we moved to Arizona and I had no clients, and I was flying back to Utah.
Okay.
And he's like, tell your Utah clients you're not going to fly in. And if you they want you to fly in. That's the new price. I was like, sweating. I'm like, I can't do that. So like a duck in water, I had that conversation, those tough conversations, even with clients. And I was like, hey, you know, I really enjoy doing your hair. If I'm going to make it worth my while and fly back, I'm going to see, you know, five clients in a day, and this is the new price. And then I just sat there. I was like, sweating.
He's like, no, this feeling so well, sweating so bad. Yeah.
And they don't know I'm sweating. And they're like, okay, let me check with my husband. I'm like, perfect. I only have two spots available, and I'll need to know in the next hour.
And you're like, did I just do that?
And literally, I'm like, please say yes.
Did they say yes?
They did. Every single one. Every single one. Every nut. One was like, no, I don't want to. I was like, I just. I didn't just quadruple my prices. I, like, kazoopled them.
Now, what if they would have said no, though? Did you have moments where people were like, you're way too expensive?
I did. And I was like, that's fine. And I used to kind of be bitter about it, like, well, you're a jerk. And then I was like, that's fine. Doors always open. And funny enough, it's like those clients just had to justify it to themselves.
Right.
And they might have even gone and tried something else. And then they see the value in me, and I'm like, I'm not going to let my boundaries down. I now see the value in myself. Yeah. And I think a lot of times that women, they. They see the value in themselves, but then they do a different action. And I'm like, okay, if I really think I'm this stylist, then I have to make my prices match who I believe I am. Yeah. And I think that's. That's. That's hard and it's scary. And so I did it. And I think when you do things like that and you have clients that are like, I am willing to pay, then you're like, okay, what else can I do? Right. It's kind of freeing.
Totally.
So that's kind of like how it all started. And then as I started to build this little business in this small town, that's when really I started to get passionate about educating, because women were like, how is she doing this? Like, she moved to this small town and like, within six months, the majority of my clientele was flying into me and paying top dollar. And even I was like, wow. Like, I don't. And it literally started with me just, like, making that decision to myself, and.
It was literally just changing the prices. And then were you feeling like. Because you were changing the prices, you were changing. Tell me what was happening, actually, to you.
I felt like when I changed the prices, I realized I'm like, I'm already, like, over delivering so much. I really stand behind what I can do for women, not just with the hair, but, like, when they would sit in my chair. Like, I literally, like, I felt like I gave them my soul. I'm like, here. I really wanted them to walk out and feel pretty. It wasn't just about the transaction. I think that was the hardest thing for me in charging those prices. I loved what I did. I loved it even when I was.
Would you ever get resentful, though? Like, because you're like, God, I'm pouring myself out, and I'm just not getting what I'm worth.
I think I didn't ever get. I got resent. I got mad at myself. Yeah. I think I wasn't ever resentful at my clients. And even I tell students today, I go, you tolerated this.
Yes.
So the only person you should be mad at is yourself. Exactly. And, like, so if you feel like you lack your clients don't appreciate you, it's because you didn't stick to your boundaries. So. And we still all do it, you know? And so it's like, for me, I wasn't necessarily resentful. I just. I feel like I was just like, okay, like, it was just very, like, freeing to me. And I. I learned a lot as I kept going, because obviously, I kept having price increases, and. And it never got easier, right?
Yeah.
Anytime I made a price increase, it was a. It was a new level of me that had to emerge. Yes. And that's just kind of how life works. And so now that I understand that, I just. I'm like, okay, I'm more. I'm less in my feelings about things, and I'm a little bit more logical. Logical about tough conversations and moves that I make.
Do you think that happened because of all the conversations you had to have or were. Did you have a mentor or what did that.
I honestly. My husband was my mentor, and my.
Husband was my mentor a lot.
Yeah. I was like. And he would always tease me and be like, you. You don't pay any coaches. And I'm like, babe, I sleep with a coach. And, you know, as much as, like, he thinks I didn't take to heart everything he was teaching me, he was always the person I would go to. And I remember a conversation where he. He kind of was like, my crutch in a way. And I remember we were in Arizona, and I was asking about. Cause I built all my own websites and everything. And my first online course, I put together myself. Like, I don't have any money to hire anyone.
Yeah.
And I remember I would lean on him so much, and he finally was like, I don't know any more than you know. And I was like, what do you mean? He goes, so here's what you need to do. He goes, go to Google, then go to God, and then last come to Garrett.
But that was the third G on the list, literally.
But that also struck me too, because I think oftentimes you're like, well, somebody else knows it better than we do. And he's like, I don't know. And I'm like, oh, shit. Okay. So I would go and kind of figure out as much as I could.
Yeah.
And then if I wanted to hire somebody else out. Out to do it, I knew what to actually even hire out to do.
Totally.
So it's. Yeah, I think it's just, like. It's just crazy. You have to just be willing to kind of, like, figure it out as you go. Nobody's necessarily smarter. They're just a little bit more ahead of the game.
Yeah. Okay. So you had started, you said within there, you got passionate about educating and you decided to try to figure out how to do, like, an online course to teach people.
I was. That was actually my first thing, and I actually. I recommend a lot of people who are trying to sell a product to start with that. Because there's very little investment.
Yes.
Right.
It's like million percent.
I'm like, hey, you know, you have this skill, you have this trade. People like you and they want to buy it. Even like, at the time, like I said, I put together a really janky one, but.
Oh, I have plenty of still. So we should compare our janky ones sometime.
Literally.
I'm like, so fun.
It's embarrassing that people bought it, but. But I mean, even then, some people, it's like, you got to start with where you're at.
Oh, yeah.
You know, I had a professional crew come in later, obviously, and refilm it. But yeah, I started with an online course and. And it was just like, me selling my knowledge, and it was me selling naturally to rose certification. Online and it was $500. I shipped all, I literally went to Walmart, put together the owned kids, I got my stickers, put the logo on and I was the one personally shipping all these kits out. And so, I mean, I, but it wasn't that expensive. Like, I did all my own labor. I was, I was selling probably five or six a month at 500 bucks a month. Like that was for me. I was like, that's like 20 hours behind the chair. You know, I'm like, okay. So my mind really started opening up to being more than just an artist and selling an informational product. So from there I, that's when I started doing small classes and teaching more and more and more. And then these large classes like, or these small classes kept growing to the point where I was like, I can't put this many people. I was renting a salon. I didn't even have my own salon at the time. So that's when I brought Garrett in to help me start doing events. But really what I was passionate about.
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In the beginning, it was just a certification that I sold. And the problem is I expected artists to figure out what I did in 15 years in a four hour course. And then they were emailing me trying to get the same success. And I realized instead of being like irritated about it, I was like, they need more, they need so much more than an online course or even a two day in person class. And I realized a lot of it was, yeah, like marketing, but it was mindset. And that's really how I've built the culture in the community in these artists is I'm not just trying to sell you another social media tactic. I'm like, who are you? How can we? Because if you know how it goes, if you can't get them to make that pivot, that shift, that belief in themselves, it doesn't matter what they purchase, it doesn't matter what you sell them. They have to drink the Kool Aid and then you can start plugging tools in and that's when it really starts to take off. So I recognize that one of the biggest problems with hairstylists was they believed they were only a hairstylist. They believe that, you know, like they're in the service industry. They're the, they're, they're a dummy. They're just like our artists. Hairstylists don't think very highly of themselves and especially in smaller towns and things like that. They just, it's like, oh, your hair says so cute you couldn't get into college so you do hair.
Yeah, that was, I remember that was the conversation because I didn't graduate and I almost went and did hair. But it's hair or fitness, but it.
But it holds like, I think to it like it holds you back in a level because society tells you you got to have this stamp or you're a Dummy.
Yes, totally.
And if you don't get out of that box and you believe it, then you're limited to what you can do in this life. And so I just, I was like, I became very passionate about setting the artist free. I was like, cool, the extensions are the hook because it's the high pains, pious, paying service in the hair industry. So I now have a tool. So if I can give you this tool and I can get you to believe in yourself, I guarantee I can get you to make over six figures a year. And that's unheard of for hairstylists. So that was my pitch. Six figure stylist. And so long story short, we started not just introducing these classes, but we started introducing, we called it big money stylists, but now turned into just business marketing and sales. And we took the artists to try to teach them, you know, mindset and marketing mixed with the trade and the skill of mbr. And now even now, like it was kind of a shit show. In the process of trying to get students to have results, my biggest thing was like, I not, I don't want to sell you a product if you're not having results. I'm not doing my job if I don't see your life transform. So we created this, this class that was like hair and business. And then I was like, okay, when 2020 hits, the year before 2020 hit, I was like, I think we can build an online academy for artists. I'm like, I think there's so much technology available. We could still do the in person events, but what if we could build like an online academy that walks them through how, like what they need to know. Like, meaning like, like you don't need to go buy a salon right now. You need to figure out how to market, right? So the academy is like walking the artist through to maybe at the end eventually, if they want to a buy salon, great. But there was this gap that the artist was trying to be an entrepreneur but was only the artist. And I'm like, you're only the artist if you stay in that box and you got to become much more. So that's like, like what we do now is like I have my academy and we have hundreds of students that are constantly flowing through that and I love it. I feel like the artists that come out of it, I'm like, you physically look like a different human being. And so for me, like to like everything that people see now, I'm like, yeah, but I had my, my dark times just like everybody else. I started literally from the Ground up, had nothing, and was in debt. Like, I was in the hole. Right. So plus, I was. I was raised in. Not a small community, but I was raised in a very tight bubble in Utah. So I felt like there was a lot of cultural and limiting beliefs that I had to break through there. So. It's crazy. I feel like you and I, we have, like, such like a similar journey.
I'm a little freaked out and I like it. I'm literally like, okay, there's one more thing.
Crazy. You're like, I went through this, that. But I feel like we're right. We're close in age, aren't we?
Yeah. I'm 43.
Okay. I'm 41. So I was like, we kind of like we're navigating life.
You were just doing it more in the West. I was in the Midwest.
Yes. Yeah. But it's. I mean, it's been a. A crazy. It's been a crazy journey. And I'm still. I'm still looking for, like, what's next, but I'm taking time. I have four daughters. Yeah, four daughters, a dog. And you have young.
You have young kids.
Yeah, I have a. Yeah, I had two. And then I thought I was done. I was working on my marriage. Yep. And I was like, I don't know.
You worked a little too hard on the marriage.
I worked a little too hard.
You got two more.
Well, I was like, I don't want to have any more kids if I'm. And. But that's actually when I really hustled in my brand because I had an eight year gap. And then finally when my business started, like, producing and like, I liked my husband again, I got pregnant and then I was like, okay, that's it, we're done. And then my last baby was a surprise pregnancy, so. But I. She's so cute. She's so fun. So I have my four daughters and I'm in this space where, like, once you catch this growth bug, it's so hard to not feel like you're like, on this high all the time. It's like personal development's a freaking high.
Like, it is.
It really is. Like, so for me, I'm trying this balance of being so grateful for where I'm at in life and, like, trying to spend time with my babies, but not feeling like I'm stagnant and feeling like I'm still kind of like in the space of gratitude and growing at the same time.
So for the moms out there who maybe have that idea of I can't do it because I have kids. What would you say had to shift for you?
I have such a good short story for that. I. There's so many times it was in the middle of, like, building my brand where I. The mom guilt is real. Like, it will. It will almost cripple you, and it will actually hold you back from where you need to go and who you can impact. And that's not the. It's just. Think of it as. It's just guilt speaking. And guilt doesn't really serve anybody. So. For me, there was one particular time I was. I would like, the first salon when we came to California. I would get my kids up, drop them off for school. The nanny would pick them up. By the time I got home, they were in bed. And I did this countless nights. And I remember coming home one night and, sorry, every time I tell this story, I still get a little bit emotional, but I remember getting home from the salon and my kids were in bed, and I went to my desktop to finish my blog post, and I'm like, this is so stupid. You need to be a mom. You need to be a mom. This is so stupid. And I stopped doing my blog post or whatever I was doing, and I literally fell to the floor and was just crying and feeling bad for myself. And this calm came over me, and I'm like, similar to you. I'm like, you can call it. God, you can call it my voice, but this clear voice said, you would be selfish to stop. And I was like, wow. And I literally, like, my tears, like, stopped. I sat at my computer, I finished my blog post. I went to bed, and I realized what I was lacking was boundaries. And I was like, if I feel so called to do this, I can still be a mom. And I was like, okay. That next day, I literally canceled all my Saturday appointments. I cut my hours down. I hired an assistant. I literally was like, no, fuck it. I do not believe that I can still be a mom. I can still be an entrepreneur. I still am called to serve and help other women. So sorry. That story. I love it.
It's so important. Like, it. It's. It's important for me to feel that. It's important for every woman listening to feel that. Because you've gone on to help so many. Many women provide for their families.
Yeah.
And create less stress and bigger lives. And they're. They probably found you and broke a pattern with you.
Yeah.
So the ripple effect is so huge that. That was so. It's so important for people to hear that.
Thank you for sharing. I think that's probably like my biggest thing that sets my brand apart is I, I think that women entrepreneurs and hershas are so, they, they're. It's common to burn out. Like they, we. And they think it's like, I'm so strong and I'm like, burning out is not strength. And so for me, one of the big things I teach is I'm like, I want you to have those vacations. I want you to have that work life balance. I. What's the point of working so hard if at the end of it you feel hollow, disconnected, like the money isn't even worth it? You know? And a lot of times the money's not even there. So you're like, you just burned yourself to the ground and you don't even have anything to show for it. So for me, I think that having that work life balance can actually make entrepreneurs and women be more successful. And it starts with you literally making that decision for yourself and creating, creating that story, creating that path. So if for any, like women entrepreneur or mommy entrepreneur, who's, who's listening, like, the sky's the limit. Like, don't limit yourself and say, well, I can only do so much because I'm a mom. No, you can do, you can literally create whatever you want. And you just happen to have kids that come along the ride with you.
Let's talk about those, like, those boundaries and that delegation, Was that something you were hearing your husband talk about? Or how did you kind of learn what to do? Because I want to go into, if a woman's right there who just got so moved by that story, and they're like, I know I have to continue, but I can't continue the way that I am, what should we do?
Well, for me, like, in the hair industry, like, one of the things, the reason I realize, like, there's certain rules that we abide by that when you actually question, like, why, wait, why am I, why do I do that? Why am I doing that? Exactly. And one of the things in life that's helped me so much is when I'm doing something that's not giving me the result that I want, I'm literally like, why am I doing that? And so I feel like for women, like, if you're listening to this and you're like, just for me, like, in the hair industry, like I said, it was a rule that you had to work Saturdays. It was a rule that you worked past 5pm like, it wasn't uncommon to work till 9. You ask any hairstylist you're like, well, if a client wants to pay you, especially like, I mean, like, if someone who's like willing to pay you like $3,000, you're like, how can I say no to money? Yeah, right. Well, you're saying yes to money and you're saying no to your kids. You're saying yes to this. But what if I told you, like, I'm like, okay, it's a numbers game, right? So a lot of times too, it's, it's very logical. So the next day, like when I shared that story, like the next day I was like, okay. I felt so calm when I realized, I'm like, you're not gonna quit. And I was like, but what do you need to do? And I was like, okay, get outta your head for a second. This is a numbers game. What do I need to make to make the same amount that I'm making right now? And I was like, okay, I need to increase my numbers to this. If I hire an assistant. Okay. If I consolidate my days to this, Like, I literally was like, okay. I thought by not working Saturdays anymore, I was going to lose those clients. And I was, they were even. A lot of them were flying in. I was like, hey, if you have a fee, you have to pay for your flight, I'll cover it, but I'm canceling our appointment. And they're like, why? And I was like, I'm missing out too much with my family. I'm. No, I was just honest. I was like, I'm just, I'm not, I'm not gonna do that anymore. Like, I respect that. Some of them were like, well, that doesn't work. And then some of them made it work, but I was like, I don't. I literally was like, I'm not, it's not personal. If you don't want to come to me on a Tuesday and I have a gap on my books, I am certain enough that somebody else will come and fill that spot. So I kind of had to let go of that scarcity of like, oh, I'm going to lose these people. Like, it's like, I'm going to lose this money. And I'm like, yeah, so what if I have a gap on my books? I have enough certainty I know I can market and get another person on the books. I just had to break it down more. Less fear based and more logical.
Yes.
And when I saw that, that has helped me in so many areas of my life where I don't feel held hostage in a business or, or a Situation that's not working. I'm like, what are the facts? I'm like, okay, well, the facts are telling me that I need to do X, Y and Z. So I would just tell women if you're feeling that way, honestly, like, in creating boundary, what. What needs to be true? What do you need to create to get to the next level? Like, what's your target? What you want to make? Okay, now let's reverse engineer and figure out how do we get to that number based off of what you're currently doing.
Oh, my God. I, I learned that lesson in sort of a similar way. We had, we had started in network marketing and it was like, we, we were broke. We were $300,000 in debt. We lost everything. We lost our home, we lost our cars. So, like, when we had started in network marketing, I was like, we're taking everybody. I'm taking every single text message, every email, and I mean, these people talk at all hours of the day because it's just a bunch of people free for all, no boundaries whatsoever.
Right?
And my husband, when he started coming into the business, when it started making money, which, that's a whole other story. Cause he's like, I'm never doing that. And he kept doing this finish line for me of when he would come in and he would move it out further and further and finally ended up coming in. But anyhow, we were in the car and I was like, you know how you run? Pure panic, pure anxiety. Like before you have the boundaries. And all these text messages were coming in and I'm complaining about it and I'm like, just exasperated. And he's like, lori. And they were coming in on his phone and he looks at him and he's like, just puts it down. And I'm like, aren't you going to answer that? And he was like, no, I don't respond to anyone until 11am like, how.
Did you do that?
It's like 9am and I'm freaking out. I'm like, we're going to lose these people. He's like, no, you won't. Not at all. And so he just like really taught me about, we're never gonna. You're gonna watch everyone burn out in this industry and we're gonna be able to keep going.
Yeah.
Because we have set hours. And it was like, so mind blowing to me. But again, like, when you raise your prices, I had to learn to be a different person in order to instill that boundary.
Right.
What was a belief for you when you were doing the boundaries? Like, what did you have to change that you grew up with a belief you had. What belief had to change in order for you to withhold those boundaries?
Like I said, I think just being, like, raised, I was raised in, like, there's so many times where I'm like, I had to just let go of those stories. Right. Still to this day, I swear, my family thinks I'm like, going to hell. I'm like, just because I'm not on your trajectory, like, and I'm doing my own thing and it doesn't matter how much success I have. There's like, she's. She's working for the devil. I'm like, okay, doing the devil's work over here too. Yeah, I guess with boundaries, it's just. It's like, it's a matter of, like, you can't just be like, I'm going to set boundaries. Because it's like, yeah, if I set boundaries, I have to honor my own boundaries. Right. If I say I'm not going to take late appointments, then I can't, like, sneak somebody in. This is like, big in the hair industry. Is like, oh, I have boundaries. And they're like, well, she's willing to pay me more, so I'm going to let her affect my boundaries. I'm like, oh, so you'll take a $5,000, you know, extension client, but you won't take a $300 client? I'm like, that's not honoring your boundaries. Now you're just a high paid h. Very true. So I'm like, so I think it's like, it's when you can really value, like, hey, this is what I'm gonna do for me. I'm like, okay. I refuse to let my boundaries or my time with my kids. So what do I need to do in marketing to attract this client? That's a good fit.
Oh, that's good.
That's what's cool too, is then it like, gets fun. You're like, not only do I get to, like, do what I love doing, but I get to work with people. I genuinely. They respect my boundaries, right?
Yes.
So I think it's important not to. Not to waver on your boundaries. But there's not like, one specific thing. It was just like, I look at everything I've gone through in my life, down to like, you know, getting married young, leaving my culture, my religion, like, losing everything. Like, the person you see today or you see on my Instagram is very much me. Whether I look like, you know, super bougie or whatever, but I Work. I had to work so hard to get to this point, not just, like, physically, but, like, letting go of these stories to become this woman. Woman. And I think that so many times you had had a post recently, and I loved it, and you were like, make the new version of you unrecognizable to people who knew you. And I think that that's so true. Right. When you look at. When you look at somebody and you're like, your energy, you're a different human being. Like, you don't even recognize your energy. And I believe that everybody can get to that level. Right. Everybody can. And you have to go through these. These. These uncomfortable moments of challenging everything and redefining your boundaries at all times to become this person. And still, even with, you know, I. I have to. Like I said, I have to get to the space where I'm like, I'm really grateful for everything I have, but I want to get a little greedy. And I want to. I want. I still want to strive to an even bigger version of me. You know, it's growth, it's challenge. Yeah.
I. You know, I do all these keynotes, and I'm always like, people want to hear about how to have a good life or how to reach their goal. And so when I go to sit down and write that formula of what's made me have a good life or really love who I am, I can't write it without writing that. You have to seek challenge all the time. It is impossible to love your life without challenge, because we're in this stunning house right now, and I promise you, if you did not have challenge, you'd be so bored. It would mean nothing. Like, you'd rather start over in something small to have a life that, like, challenges you and grows you.
Here's what's so crazy, because. And Garrett and I were doing a podcast the other day, and we were talking about this. I'm like, hey, when we were broke, guess what? Things still seem hard. Yeah. When we have the success that we have today in the life that we have today, things are still hard. Choose your hard. Right?
Yeah.
So people, like, they'll see these big lives, and they'll be like, that's. I'm already working too hard. I don't want to work harder. Like, it seems daunting.
Yeah, totally.
And I'm like, I need you to understand that you're of kind capacity goes up.
Yes.
Which means you're always going to have challenges no matter where you're at in life. So choose your hard to impact the most and give you the result that you're looking for.
That's that. And that's the thing. They're doing the hard thing, but without the result that they want. You're really just pivoting and getting over that initial tidal wave to a different type of hard.
Right.
But the hard with the result.
But it's almost. It's. It's hard, but like I said, your capacity goes up, that you're just like, I can handle this. I can handle this. And even when. When times are, like, really, really dark, you have to remind yourself, like, I've already gone through so much. This is just, like, the next big hurdle that I've got to get through to get to, like, an even bigger level. So. But, yeah, it's. It's fun life. Life is crazy, and it's fun and it's. It's exciting and it's. Yeah, it's just the more I feel like that you can reach and impact others is truly, like, the mission on this life, if you want to call it that way, you know? So I joke around people all the time. I'm like, I'm really not social, but I love sharing my story. So I was like, I love doing podcasts, and thank you so much for letting me be on your podcast, because, like I said, I kind of feel like I invited myself.
This is so good. I'm like, I am. I was literally when you were telling your story and I was crying while you were crying, I was like, I am so glad this happened. I think this is going to be. I just. I love this podcast.
I cater more to, like, hairstylists, but I really actually want to branch out. Everyone's like.
I'm like, you do not. You should be on. You should be on everything.
Well, people tell me, like, do you coach other, like, women or do other women's events? And I really want to do that. And I honestly. It's not that I'm shy. I'm so busy with my kids and everything else going on.
Be careful. You just said it on my podcast. Who have, like, lots of women's events?
No. Whenever I have. Garrett and I have gone to, like, events together, but I really want to branch into this. This other world of, like, women's events.
Yeah.
Like, you know, and. And not just women's events, but, like, business women, because we have a. We. We think differently, right?
Yes.
So I. That's kind of my. My goal this year. So I've been slowly, like. Like, being like, hey, Lori, you want to do a podcast?
Well, you're loud and proud now.
Yeah, I'm like, I need to, like, I need to push myself out there. And like I said, even though I'm not, like, a big socialite and this is a little bit uncomfortable, I have to remind myself, like, hey, that's okay, because you need to reach the next level of women, and you've tapped into the hair industry. But I want to tap into more than just the hair industry, so.
Because what you have built is a. It's. It's not how you've built. It is not just for hair. It's every business.
Yeah. Yeah.
It's literally everything that you just said applies to every single business because it just. You have developed. And that was the thing about me sitting in your chair with your stylist. I'm like, she's developing the people in every single business. In the team that I'm building right now, it's about developing those people. So you're gonna be booked and busy.
I like it. I like it. I'm sure I'll be running in some of the same circles, and I'm excited about it.
All right, so what are you most excited about right now?
So I'm kind of doing, like, a facelift on my whole brand. So I had two kids back to back, and I kind of was like, oh, it was like a whirlwind. So I had, like, my hustle years where I got my up and moving and going, and then I had two babies, and I was like, I had some, like, physical stuff go down and stuff like that, where you just need to take a breath and not. Not try to work so crazy, you know, like, my body was, like, shutting down kind of thing. So I. I kind of took a couple years where I pumped the brakes a little bit, but I needed to. I had to complete my family. So right now, the last year, we've been really focusing on what does the artist need and rebranding everything. So that's my next thing right now. I've also always really wanted to write the big money stylist. I can't pull the trigger, and maybe you can, like, connect me with the people to get it done. And it's almost just because I'm like. It's been on my bucket list. I'm like, I just need to write. I need to get my message out there. So that's. That's like. That was actually one of my goals this year, and I haven't even started. Great.
I'm going to talk to you off this so easy.
You're talking me out of it.
No, I'm going to talk to you after this about exactly who you're going to use.
No, that's. I told my teams at the beginning, this year, I go, I'm going to finally write the book the Big Money Stylist. And now I'm saying it on the podcast, so I have to. So I'm screwed. Great.
It's coming out.
Makes me sweaty.
Coming out. We're reading it next year.
It's gonna be. So, yeah, that's kind of what I'm up to right now. But. But, yeah, I. Yeah, I'm just kind of working and trying to keep the balance and the gratitude going.
Well. I have learned so much. I love this. I actually don't want it to end. I'm like, great, well, we're gonna go.
To dinner soon, beach and, you know.
Finish all of these things I have for you, these questions I have. But I'm so grateful for you. Thank you so much for coming on. I loved it. Is there any, like, last thing that you want to say to anyone?
Do it and do it scared. Do it and do it scared. That's always, like, pretty much my motto in life. And anytime you feel like you're stuck in a box, like, just ask yourself the simple question, is this true? Is this true? And that simple question has made me really rewrite a lot of old stories in my life. So that's what I tell you.
That's so good. Is this true? All right, where can we keep up with you? You?
So I currently I rebranded myself and I have a website and a blog called Danielle K. White. So you can find anything from fashion, fitness, family hair and more about natural bead to rose education and my salon located in Laguna Beach, California. So I always tell people go there. That's like the hub of everything about me, but also gives you information if you want to come get your hair done or if you want your hairstylist. You want to go to education, just go to Danielle Ky. You'll find a link for everything there.
So, so good.
All right, all right.
Thank you so much for coming on the show. I love it. Oh, my God, you guys, thank you so much for joining us. And until next time, earn your happy. Bye, everyone.










