A professional nail artist from Blackburn opened a hair and beauty salon five years ago and has made a lasting impression in the community.
Danielle Marie, 36, from Blackburn has 17 years’ experience in the nails and beauty industry before buying the salon she used to work in on Darwen Street.
Since then, Danielle has employed a talented team of beauticians including a hair stylist, nail and brow technician and skin specialist and make up artists.
Sharing how much of a positive working environment the salon is, Danielle said: “A lot of people expect it to be a bitchy vibe in salons but it’s not like that here at all. There’s so much banter between us and the clients.”
During covid the salon had to close and Danielle was expecting a sharp decrease in returning customers but was pleasantly surprised when she opened the salon back up post pandemic.
She said: “I think it was because, during lockdown I didn’t abandon my clients. I was still posting videos on how to get your gel nails or your acrylics off and posting nail art videos, so I think because we stayed in contact with everyone people wanted to come back.
Danielle shared that her job is more than being just a nail technician. She added: “Clients always say to me if you ever don’t do nails then you’d be a good counsellor because I’m here to listen.
“When they’re sat in front of you, you get to know them and their lives on a personal level.”
Whilst Danielle was discussing her love for her business, the client whose nails she was filing said that she looks forward to her appointments at the salon because it’s relaxing down time. She said:
“I’m a mum of two sons so when I’m coming to the salon, I’m coming for a bit of girl time because I don’t get out much.
“It’s a beautiful salon, and it’s the atmosphere that does it for me. Anna does my hair and Dan does my nails and it is very much that friendly feeling when you come in.
“She is my counsellor, she helps with my problems and vice versa, she knows she can come to me. It’s very much that mutual support. I love it.”
Supporting other independent businesses is at the heart of Danielle’s salon. One of their clients started up her own cake business and the salon promoted it by offering clients in the salon her cakes with a brew.
Danielle said: “Now she’s been able to give up her job and do her cake business full time so it’s great to be able to help other people in Blackburn.
“You want as much in town as possible, don’t you? When we can’t fit anyone in, we don’t say ‘oh no we don’t know anyone else.’ We may as well send them to other people to support other businesses as well.”
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