Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Hill.
Hi Daniel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Where to begin, well I was born and raised in Salt Lake City and I began my hairdressing career in 2008. After graduating from cosmetology school at Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair, I started working at Star 21 Salon and became an educator for a haircare company called UNITE. Fast forward 5 years and I am styling hair for Utah Opera and Symphony, along with being promoted to Regional Artistic Director for UNITE; traveling the country teaching hair-cutting classes, working New York Fashion Week, and still serving clients at Star 21. It was 2017 when things made a shift, a romantic relationship ended and I began to confront my alcohol abuse. As part of my treatment, I began to cultivate a deep yoga practice. Yoga was a huge key in my recovery from substance abuse and I wanted to share that experience and knowledge with others, that’s what lead me to teach yoga to others. Yoga for me is so much more than a physical practice, it has become spiritual and a part of my everyday living. Currently, I am enjoying assisting others by offering hair services to a wide range of clients at Shear Excellence Salon and teaching yoga classes and practices at The Front Climbing Club.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been full of ups and downs! The consistent struggle I had in my 20s was not trusting myself and lacking confidence. I would practice and work so hard for what I thought people wanted from me, rather than simply being myself and trusting my gut. I remember working so cautiously to please the client, I was so afraid to make a mistake. I did not trust myself in giving them the best service. I would try and be someone else to please and would fail by my own folly. Once I started trusting myself and the education I received I was able to work with less anxiety and produce more beautiful and artistic hair. By being myself unapologetically I found I make others happy by being me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Having a split career between hairstyling and teaching yoga has been an adventure to say the least. As a hairstylist, I really enjoy and specialize in haircutting and hair coloring. I absolutely love the creative process of creating a customized style for all my clients, to give them a hairstyle that fits not only their sense of style but their lifestyle. Two of my proudest moments as a hairstylist was working at New York Fashion Week and the first time my work as a hairstylist was published in a magazine. As a yoga instructor, my personal practice is Ashtanga yoga, I teach more vinyasa style and restorative yoga. The most exciting adventure I have had in yoga was going to India in 2019 to study Sivananda and Ashtanga yoga. It was truly a life-changing experience that I think of very regularly.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Come get your hair cut or take a class with me! But seriously, community is big to me and I try and get involved as much as I can, whether that’s teaching yoga for companies, individuals, or community events. In regards to hair, I love helping out with photoshoots, sponsoring events, collaborations with theatre companies or other artists. Really the possibilities are endless and that’s why I’m so grateful and happy to be doing what I’m doing. If anyone wants to collaborate, let’s create something beautiful together.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danieljacobhill.com
- Instagram: @danieljacobhill
