Meet Danielle Ozols | Hairstylist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Ozols and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Hairstyling wasn’t my first career path, even though beauty and fashion had always been in my DNA. As a child visiting my grandmother in the Chicagoland area, I’d pretend to be her personal hair and makeup artist. I devoured the pages of Allure and Vogue – and, I’ll admit, my guilty pleasure, People StyleWatch – always fascinated by how style could completely transform a person.

I went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Syracuse University in 2020, driven by a deep passion for helping others. But graduating in the middle of the pandemic shifted everything. I worked as a COVID-19 contact tracer, and while the work was important, I quickly felt the burnout of the traditional workplace. I knew I needed to restart – to find a career that reignited my passion while still allowing me to care for others in a meaningful way.

That’s when I circled back to hair. During college, I had started experimenting with making and styling wigs, and I became obsessed with how powerful they could be. A wig could turn a bad hair day into a great one – it could change how someone saw themselves and carried themselves. That was my lightbulb moment: hair wasn’t just a side passion, it was the career I was meant to build.

Cosmetology school confirmed that instinct. Hairstyling became the perfect marriage of creativity and service. Today, I feel more free in my own self-expression than ever before, and I get to give that same freedom to my clients. The most rewarding part is watching someone see themselves in the mirror — whether through color, cut, or a wig – and light up with confidence. That’s my “Why” moment when it comes to this career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always viewed my career as more than just beauty — it’s about care, confidence, and connection. My journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Syracuse University, which gave me a unique foundation and perspective that continues to shape the way I approach my work. I approach every client as a whole, not just a head of hair, and that’s what makes my process different. I understand how hair can be tied to your identity and my goal has always been to create solutions that not only look beautiful but also restore a sense of confidence and ease in my clients’ everyday lives.

I started my career assisting a master stylist – who is now my salon partner, and that mentorship shaped me both technically and professionally. It gave me the confidence to grow into my own artistry and instilled in me the value of education and collaboration. I built my clientele and business from the ground up, and I have always and will always prioritize continuing education so I can offer the best, most up-to-date solutions for my clients. Along the way, I’ve invested in understanding and working with all hair types and developed a specialty in making and customizing both synthetic and human hair wigs.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come — from starting fresh in Scottsdale after Cosmetology School in Tucson, to now growing my business and clientele at my new Central Phoenix location. It’s been incredibly rewarding to pivot and expand while staying true to my values. What excites me most about the future is expanding my offerings into non-surgical hair loss solutions, a niche I feel deeply connected to, and launching an online wig marketplace to make access to beautiful, customized wigs even easier.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. Building a business from the ground up takes hard work, long hours, and resilience. Growing trust, understanding, and camaraderie with my clients is at the core of my approach. A big part of my growth has come from continuous curiosity and always looking for real, effective solutions to my clients’ hair concerns. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve also learned that how you handle those moments is what strengthens trust and relationships.

The lessons I’ve learned are simple but powerful: success isn’t overnight, and doubt often shows up right before a breakthrough. More than anything, I’ve learned that personal connection is key — people don’t just remember the service, they remember how you made them feel.

At the heart of Danielle Ozols Hair is a simple mission: to create real hair solutions that help people look and feel their best. A salon space rooted in transformation, built on trust and connection — and I’m excited to continue nurturing a space that allows people to feel seen, supported, and beautiful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit for a week, the first thing I’d say is: we’re not hiking. I’ve tried, it never ends well, so instead we’ll enjoy Phoenix in safer, tastier, and less physically strenuous ways.

We’d start with some local flavor, food is always first on the list for me. For casual eats, I’d take them to Dick’s Hideaway (conveniently right next door to my salon, so maybe a blowout, bloody mary and onion rings kind of day?) , Base Pizzeria for wood-fired deliciousness, and George’s Kitchen for a neighborhood spot with Greek flavor. For nights out, I love celebrating the city’s incredible food scene at LATHA (highly recommend the Jerk Pork Chop, insanely good), Pa’La for eclectic small plates, and Sotisse for some French bistro flair. All locally owned, chef-driven, and each with their own special vibe. Supporting local restaurants is important to me, and Phoenix is full of gems that deserve the spotlight.

In between meals, we’d soak up the best of Phoenix culture. We’d catch a Mercury game to support our hometown WNBA team – the energy is always electric, and it’s such a fun way to see the city come alive. Then we’d mix in a little culture: the Musical Instrument Museum (because where else can you nerd out over instruments from all around the world?) and the Phoenix Art Museum for a dose of creativity, their special exhibits are always really well done. And of course, a stop at the Desert Botanical Garden — it’s one of those places that reminds you how special the desert really is (and no hiking required).

By the end of the trip, they’d leave with a real taste of Phoenix — local food, local culture, local energy — and hopefully a reminder that this city is so much more than just the desert backdrop.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom and dad deserve a great deal of recognition in my story. From the very beginning, they were my biggest supporters when I decided to pursue hairstyling. Even when others doubted my path, they always believed in me. They’ve instilled in me the idea that if you do what you love, work doesn’t feel like a chore — and being raised in that environment gave me the courage to take a leap of faith. After finishing four years at Syracuse University, I made the decision to shift gears and attend cosmetology school in Tucson, and my parents were behind me every step of the way.

Their support has been constant and tangible. They were my models in school when I was just learning the basics, they helped me make the move to Scottsdale to officially begin my career, and most recently, they’ve been right there cheering me on as I transitioned my business to Central Phoenix. They’ve always worked tirelessly to help me bring my dreams to life, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am without them. That kind of unconditional encouragement has taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of showing up fully for others — values I carry into every client relationship today.

Another special shoutout goes to my mentor and now business partner, Christopher Polcyn of Cut Collective. Christopher has been instrumental in helping me hone my craft and continually pushes me to grow. He shares my passion for education and for always staying curious in this industry. Working alongside him has not only strengthened my technical skills but has also shaped how I run my business with professionalism and vision. His mentorship gave me the confidence to trust my capabilities and the reminder that mastery is a lifelong journey.

Between the unwavering love of my parents and the guidance of my mentor, I’ve been surrounded by people who believe in hard work, passion, and growth. That’s the foundation of my story, and it’s why I approach hairstyling not just as a career, but as a craft and a calling.

Website: https://www.danielleozols.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleozolshair

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Danielle-Ozols-Hair-61565852574343/

Other: danielleozols.glossgenius.com
https://classpass.com/classes/danielle-ozols-hair-phoenix/

Image Credits
M Riley Marketing