As Mother’s Day fast approaches, Dannielle Flood, a committed hairdressing apprentice and devoted mum of two, shares her journey with us.
Dannielle offers valuable insights into balancing family life while chasing her dream career, highlighting the importance of flexibility and self-care along the way.
Where does that leave us
“For the last five years, I’ve been employed in the childcare sector. Despite my passion for hairdressing, I decided to go to university and study a career in childcare. It felt like it was a safer option for me at the time and my dream of becoming a hairdresser was set aside.
I started coming to Haircraze by Naomi as a client, getting my hair done. I followed their Facebook page, and it was only until they advertised for an apprentice, I thought about changing my career.
Often when you see an apprenticeship you have this perception that you need to be 16 which makes you think ‘where does that leave the older girls?’ I’m 30, I’m a mum of two, and I’m ready to get back in the game.”
Trying something new
“Going to Haircraze by Naomi as a client, I already knew the salon and everyone that worked there. I loved their vibe and the atmosphere and wanted so much to be a part of it. I didn’t have any hairdressing qualifications, I just needed to demonstrate my skills and passion for learning.
I was so happy when I found out I got the job, I felt like I got a clean slate. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but when you work and have kids and a family to think about, you don’t believe it’s possible. You feel like college is your only option, but you can’t give up your evenings.
Doing an apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to try something new. It’s the flexibility and having the opportunity to be able to do it around family life that’s most important to me.”
Thinking about long-term happiness
“Going from a full-time or part-time job, to doing an apprenticeship, can be a big jump for most people. However, once you have completed your first year, you return to National Minimum Wage.
If you don’t take risks, you get stuck doing what you know. You need to overlook the short-term and think about the long-term. It’s only a year and from there you can progress your career and salary.
You still get an income while you are training. In the salon everything is hands on, and you gain experience dealing with real-life situations. You can lean into your strengths because everyone has different skills. In college, there’s still that ‘one size fits all’ approach.”
Being a role model to my kids
“My kids love that I do hairdressing, especially because I’ve got the doll heads in the house. I think it’s good for them to see their mum happy and trying something new. My oldest knows how much of a ‘girly girl’ I am and recognises how much happier it makes me.
I now come home less stressed and get to have adult conversations (I was talking to kids all the time before). As a mum it’s easy to forget about yourself. You are so busy worrying about everyone else, you forget to have something for you.
I want to help mums feel good about themselves like Naomi did for me. Tell them to take time for themselves and not to settle for anything less.”
If you’ve ever felt like Dannielle and wanted to try something new, find out more about our apprenticeships in hairdressing. Or book in with Dannielle at Haircraze by Naomi and leave the salon feeling like you can conquer anything.
