Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle “Dani” Banks.
Hi Dani, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Cosmetology School in 2013, but HATED doing hair! I stayed there for 6 months before I realized that it really wasn’t for me. I worked odd jobs for a few years, then I decided to get back to my passion! I actually started my beauty journey because I love Make-Up, but I knew the cosmetology program wouldn’t cut it. I started researching ways that I could legally do Make-Up and stumbled upon an Esthetics program! I had no idea what exactly an Esthetician was, but I enrolled the next day. Once in the program, I discovered all of the possibilities! I fell in love with Facials and knew that this was where I was supposed to be. I finished the program in early December 2016 and drove to Austin 2 days after Christmas for my state board exams because I couldn’t wait to start work!! I started doing facials and eventually became a Wax Specialist and a trainer soon after!
I loved my job, but January 2, 2020, I quit cold turkey because I knew I was ready to go out on my own! Little did I know, COVID-19 was coming to shut everything down soon after! After being forced to sit still and do nothing for months, I rented a suite and opened Dani Banks Beauty in June. I make my own products and do a bunch more services. It hasn’t always been easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I don’t feel like I go to work everyday! It feels more like I get paid to go talk to my friends/family and I absolutely love it! I’ve grown sooo much in the last 18 months and I’m super excited to continue expanding my DBB family!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m a strong believer in the saying, “Nothing worth having will come easy!” and that’s what keeps me going hard! I originally started my business in February of 2018, strictly doing facials since I still had my Wax Trainer gig for the biggest wax chain in the country. I was so excited to start on my own, but found out I was pregnant the very next month! I was so lost! I had just opened my baby and didn’t know how I could manage with an actual baby! Scared was an understatement! I worked for a few months, until reality hit. How was I going to take maternity leave in my first year? I hadn’t even made any real money yet! I decided to close my doors and work my 9-5 because that meant “stability”.
I was able to work until I was 38 weeks pregnant, and take 12 weeks off for maternity leave. I thought that was happiness, but I knew that it wasn’t the end goal for me. After my son turned 1, I started to focus on how I could open my own business again. A few months later, my son’s dad gave me the push I needed to get back out there! It was so crazy starting a business in the middle of a pandemic, but the mass layoffs that came with that, taught me that no job was stable..and if I had to bet on anything, it would be myself! Once I opened, life just took off! I started making my own products, built a clientele strictly based upon referrals, got engaged, then married my best friend! Life has changed so much since 2016 and I’m so proud of me! I had faith in myself and it’s paid off so much! I can’t wait to see where I go from here!
We’ve been impressed with Dani Banks Beauty, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dani Banks Beauty is an all-inclusive beauty haven that services men, women, and non-binary individuals. We offer Full Body Waxing, Skincare, Brow Customizations and Yoni Steams. Make Up services with be introduced January 2022. I recently partnered with a Lash Extension Specialist and a Nail technician in order to offer my clients a more well-rounded service menu! I also offer Wax Training to licensed individuals. I’ve been able to create a safe space where clients receive the time and attention to detail that they all deserve. They never feel rushed or that I’m pushing services and products they don’t want/need. I’ve worked customer service since I was 16 years old and pride myself on providing amazing customer experiences.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Being free to create my own reality truly makes me happy! I have the perfect son and a husband who supports anything I want to do! I have created a life that allows me to spend time with my family and continuously add to it! I really enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories! The fact that people trust me as their Esthetician and feel comfortable enough to talk through life with me. When you hear the saying, “Someone’s esthetician knows all about it!”, believe it! Each appointment booked includes a complementary therapy session! LOL, but seriously…you’ll love it here!
Contact Info:
- Email: contactus@danibanksbeauty
- Website: www.danibanksbeauty.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/danibanksbeauty
- Facebook: Facebook.com/danibanksbeauty
