Meet Danielle Gutek of Elle Rose Salon in Smyrna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Gutek.

Danielle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It was 1990 and I, a six-year old feisty, creative, silly, and eager lil Danielle, rescued my twelve-year-old sister’s hair after she got it stuck in a teeny round brush. She was babysitting me and didn’t want my mom to know. In a desperate panic, she turned to me and it was then how I learned I could save the day just by helping someone with their hair. And I saved her hair’s integrity too!! That was one of my first memories getting my hands in real hair. To this day, my sister probably has forgotten by now, but that moment left and imprint on my heart forever!

To heck with barbie dolls or regular dolls hair, no, I wanted real hair to play with. I loved styling my friend’s and families’ hair. As I got older, I would volunteer to style my cheerleading teammates hair for games and competitions. In high school, I would pretty much style anyone’s hair who would let me “play”. I always loved the connection and the creative outlet it gave me. I did style quite a bit of friends hair, including my own, for homecomings and proms. That was my favorite.

I didn’t grow up going to the salon!! Yes!! Shocker!! I was that girl that her mom cut her hair in until she was 16 with, yes I dare to say this, kitchen scissors!! Yikes!! My mother was and still is a very naturally beautiful woman and just never got into the whole beauty world. I suppose this is why I am unbelievably dedicated in educating my clients and guests about the health of the hair. I love my mother to death, but I was very eager to learn about this whole hair world and all its glory!! There is so much more to hair than vanity. It is a part of us, it is our DNA. Our hair can tell a story. It deserves so much more love than we know, and we need to start from the inside out. I probably sound like a broke record at my clients’ appointments, but that is one quality they can always rely on is learning how to take care of their hair so they can have better hair days at home and appreciate what God has given them in their natural state. That is an incredible thing I get to do!!

I loved (and still do) the entertainment industry and started off college at Central Michigan University in their Theater department. I loved the costumes and the hairstyles of stage and television and music performers. I always knew that I wanted to get my cosmetology license alongside an acting degree. Welp, other plans were in store for me and I found myself with an opportunity to apprentice and learn cosmetology in a salon directly on the floor! I jumped ship and haven’t looked back since. Since moving from my hometown of Detroit, MI , I ventured off to Florida’s Gulf Coast (Destin, FL) and had a blast living the beach life. I had the opportunity to style weddings almost every weekend and perfect my blonding skills. Extensions became more popular and I became a certified extension technician early on. While in Florida, I lived my dream of working for Walt Disney World and became a cosmetologist styling the princess’s hair and helping out with their makeup. I also was fortunate enough to work for the Waldorf Astoria in their spa as a hairstylist. I met so many people from all over the world. It was such a fantastic experience.

Since then, my husband and I found ourselves in Atlanta, Ga. We have been here for about four years. It wasn’t the easiest to “start over” especially when we are in a season in our lives of “settling down” I suppose society would call it. I never once thought I would live in Atlanta, but it has slowly grown on me. After 15 years of experience altogether, I finally was able to open my own suite in Smyrna, Ga and I am SO HAPPY there!! It gives me the flexibility to be able to give my attention to my weekly clients while focusing on building my bridal and special event hairstyling business as well. At first, Atl seemed just so big, I almost allowed it to swallow me up, but recently, I have just really realized how little time we have here on Earth. And I know God has more in store for me!! I hope to grow as much as I can and utilize my talents and skills to my utmost potential. Atl has so much to offer. It has definitely grown on me. I look forward to years to come and am just so thankful for my journey thus far!

Has it been a smooth road?
I learned at a young age that life isn’t easy, nor is it always fair. Struggling has always been part of the journey. I have encountered many of struggles mostly due to moving and starting over a few times and battling my own tendencies of being a bit harder on my self-expectations. Every now and again, there have been moments where you find yourself in kind of a crappy situation for whatever the case, but I suppose I look at those as building blocks and just try to see the silent blessings that come out of them.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Elle Rose Salon story. Tell us more about the business.
Elle Rose Salon is an individual salon suite located in Smyrna Ga, I specialize in what I describe as “Project Hair”. Project Hair is basically hair appointments that usually require some sort of color correction, multiple balayage freehand techniques as well as individualized foiling. The standard hair coloring appointment for me is typically 4 hours minimum. I do not double book, giving my clients my fullest attention to detail. All of my clients’ appointments are customized to their desire of music and ambiance. My goal is to create a space where my clients can really just be themselves, be heard, and relax, oh and of course, get amazing hair too!! I also spend time with my guests educating them on their hair maintenance. That is so unbelievably important. I truly stand by “great hair cannot be rushed”. Society rushes us all the time. So come to my suite, slow down and really enjoy your visit.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
There has been a HUGE shift in how many hats we have to wear in order to be successful. We have more work to do behind the scenes to stay on top. It is so worth it, but perhaps maybe more respected down the line. Alot of hairstylists, I’m not saying all, but most didn’t go to college, yet here we are doing our taxes, recording spreadsheets and numbers/data, building websites and our own marketing brand, becoming photographers, and so much more…. the best thing about it though, is we are creatives and although it may take some of us longer to achieve the more literal administrative tasks, we put our heart into it, and it shows. Our business isn’t just selling a product, there is emotion involved. It’s a beautiful thing.

Pricing:

• Haircuts start at $40+ for men and $65+ for ladies
• Balayage starts at $155+ and HIlites $115+
• Wedding Hair for Bride starts at $120+ Bridesmaids starts $85+
• New growth color and color glosses start at $70+

Contact Info:

• Address: 2365 Spring Rd SE
  Suite #312
• Website: Elle Rose Salon
• Phone: 7343653244
• Email: Guteydee@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @ellerosesalon
• Facebook: @ellerosesalonsuite
• Other: www.ellerosesalon.com

Image Credit:
@brianpluslindsey photography in Kennesaw Ga

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