Meet Danielle Sprando

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Sprando. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Danielle, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I think the biggest thing that has helped me is to put myself in others shoes. With opening my salon and taking on this new leadership role with zero leadership training under me, I had to think differently. I thought about all of my past employers, mentors, and anyone who was in a leadership position over me in the past and I thought about what I liked and didnt like. Before confronting any potential problem, I think to myself ‘How would I want someone to approach me about this situation” and I go from there. I think that has helped me tremendously.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I own Vixen Beauty Lounge in Gresham, Oregon. A suburb 20 minutes outside of Portland. I do hair within my salon. We are a 5 chair salon and have two esthetician’s as well. I opened my salon January of 2024 and we are located in the portland-metro area. Ive been doing hair for 8 years. Within those 8 years ive moved salons alot. I found myself not staying in one salon for longer than 2-3 years. I used to be embarrassed about this but ive grown to realize it was preparing me to open my own-even though I didnt know thats where I would end up. I hopped salons alot because I never truly felt like I fit in anywhere. Every salon I worked at I learned alot about what I did, and didnt like about each space and I learned alot about myself too. I ultimately decided to open my own salon because I felt like salons were lacking community and stylists were becoming limited and unable to give their clients the service they deserved in their environments and I also felt there was a lack of salons giving stylists the support they needed. I wanted to create a salon where stylists could thrive in, have everything they needed and more and be able to give their clients a true luxury service. Its been so important to me to create a space where the stylists can be fully themselves, and promote them and their brand within the salon. I think alot of owners become greedy and dont care about the stylists unless it benefits their business and I wanted mine to be different. I always craved a space where I was supported and encouraged to be ME. Not just rep the salon but represent and promote ME. So thats what I created and hope for every stylist who ever comes into Vixen. To be fully authentically themselves, and build their careers. I wouldnt have a salon at all if it werent for my clients and stylists that choose Vixen as their salon home.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think my work ethic, empathy, and being eager to always learn more have helped. Ive had a job since I was 16 and ive always found myself working extra shifts and going above and beyond to help people outside of my schedule. My hustle and work ethic definitly helped me build up a solid clientele that I love. I think how empathetic I am is what drew other stylists to want to work within my salon. I genuinely care for each of them and i want to see them succeed and build up there dream careers too. I think if your genuinely passionate about what you do and care about the people alongside you, you will be successful. The biggest thing to remember is everyone starts somewhere. I started at the bottom, working nights, weekends, taking any and every client I could get at one point. Dont give up because the hard, difficult stuff is preparing you for a successful future.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

This is such a good question and I read this question differently than I would have a year ago. Since opening my salon, the stylists working within my salon are also like my clients. So not only do I strive to make sure my hair clients are happy, I strive to make sure the stylists are happy too.
I specialize in hair extensions, so my ideal hair client is women who get extensions and typically like a low maintenance color. Some things my clients have in common is they are all working for the most part and are very successful within their careers. They take care of themselves and enjoy working out and group fitness classes, and dont have unrealistic expectations when it comes to their hair goals.
As for an ideal stylist who wants to work within my salon, I dont neccessarily look for experience. Anyone can be coachable if they want it bad enough and have a good attitude. I look for someone who takes feedback well, and is willing to communicate and isnt afraid to ask for help. Someone who shows up professionally and takes their role seriously but can also have a good time and is nice. Everyone at our salon gets along so well and I think it’s because we all ask each other for help, we willingly help each other and we also make sure to do things outside of the salon every once in a while.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vixenbeautylounge.co
• Instagram: hairartistdanielle

Image Credits

Rebeckah Straff Photography