Black Women Breaking Ground: Danielle Oglesby on changing salon standards
In honor of Black History Month, we are launching a Black Women Breaking Ground series, to highlight just a few of the many inspiring Black women making a mark in our cities.
As a Black woman, mom, and experienced hairstylist (over 15 years in fact!), Danielle (you can call her Dani) Oglesby recognizes how important it is for women to know their hair will be taken care of properly. But for women with textured or curly hair, finding an available (and qualified) hairstylist can lead to disappointing outcomes or extended wait times at many salons. When she recognized that salon standards weren’t changing, she decided to BE that change.
Dani’s drive for change is delivering Bae Bar Indy, which provides a salon experience where ALL women can be confident that no matter what their hair type, stylists will possess the experience to provide quality hair care. In addition, she wants multicultural families to have an inclusive place to go where every member can receive the hair services they need.
Bae Bar Indy Founder and CEO Danielle Oglesby (image courtesy of Katherine Walton Collins).
You’ve made inclusivity a top priority for Bae Bar Indy. What experiences led to justice and inclusion being core values for you?
I started doing hair by the time I was eleven or twelve. My mom was a hairstylist and I would practice on mannequins. But I didn’t always plan on being a hairstylist. I dreamed of being a criminal defense attorney. I just wanted to help people. I attended an all-black elementary school in Indianapolis called Zion Hope Christian School. We learned about injustice at a very young age. I knew about Jim Crow at eight years old. We learned about Rosa Parks and Malcolm X. We watched movies like Roots to get a clear picture of what it was like. I wanted to help people who had been treated unfairly within the criminal justice system. It was only later that I decided to go back to doing hair. When my daughter was born I switched gears and entered cosmetology school.
We know plans can change quickly with kids in the picture! Yet you’re still incorporating those values into the salon business in order to help others. When did you first recognize change was needed?
When I started working in local salons I noticed that they would claim to be inclusive, but often I was the only hairstylist that had experience with textured hair. They would put Black women on the brochure or in the ad, but they didn’t provide the training to service us correctly. Salons that accept walk-ins would often tell clients with textured hair to wait several hours or come back another day when a qualified stylist was available. I got tired of seeing this happen over and over again. I took this opportunity to learn how to care for all hair types. I wanted there to be a place where anyone could walk in and know they would get proper hair care.
Bae Bar Indy will be a full-service salon for all people with hair of all textures and needs.
Starting something new can be intimidating! Could you share with us how it felt to go out on your own and start a new business?
I’ve always been an entrepreneur, from the time I was making money at twelve doing hair to now. But when I first had the idea for the Bae Bar I was nervous to share it with others. Then I realized how important our message is. Black women and women with textured hair often hear that their hair is a burden, or are expected to pay more for hair care because it takes longer. I’m so grateful for my experience in different salons over the years, but I knew it was time for me to start something on my own. My dream is that years from now it will become the norm that all hairstylists will be expected to know how to style and care for all hair textures. It needs to start with cosmetology schools, but I can still create a space for stylists to learn and grow that will set the standard for other salons.
Ready to for your BAE event? Book here.
We love your emphasis on being the change, instead of waiting for the industry to change. That’s how progress is made! Can you tell us about any barriers you’ve faced as a Black woman and an entrepreneur while building this business?
While trying to secure business grants or rental space for this business, I’m often working with older men or white men who don’t understand the struggle that women with textured hair face. Sometimes men just don’t realize how important hair is to women! It’s hard for them to recognize the unique service this business will provide. I’ve found that sharing my story and Black women’s stories is a powerful way to connect with the community and demonstrate the need for an inclusive salon experience. Even though it can be hard at times, I’m so grateful for the experience. I love what I do; it doesn’t even feel like work!
Bae Bar Indy will offer a full range of services for all hair types.
What’s next for Bae Bar Indy? And how can we book an appointment?
We are still working on a permanent location. Until that opens, we are offering pop-ups and style parties that can be booked online through our website. We have a lot of weddings coming this year as well, and we offer full salon services for all hair textures to ensure diverse wedding parties will receive quality hair care. To keep up with our progress and to book an appointment, you can visit our website (and subscribe to The Bae-Watch newsletter!).
Dani’s mission includes ensuring diverse wedding parties will receive quality hair care for every member.
Message from Dani:
The BAE Bar is excited to include the public in the opening of the first official flagship. We are offering $1000 sponsorship opportunities to anyone who would like to be a part of the journey for inclusion and change we are making here in Indianapolis.
With your sponsorship, you'll receive a BAE Bar mug and shirt (the same one all our stylists wear!) and be listed on our sponsorship page of The BAE Bar website in perpetuity.
Interested in donating or sponsorship? Learn more.
While Dani has yet to “break ground” on a permanent location, she is certainly breaking the mold in the salon industry. Now grab some girlfriends and treat yourselves to a style party with Dani - you deserve it!
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