Education Station: Meet Dan Haapala

By | March 18th, 2016

 

Dan Haapala

During the past 23 years, Dan Haapala has experienced many different avenues in his career as a hairdresser. As the newbie, salon manager, salon owner, state board examiner and board member of his local cosmetology school, he has continued to learn and grow from every experience. For the past 11 years, Dan has been an artist with Keune and a member of the Keune North American Design team, an experience highlighted by working New York Fashion Week.
Dan’s desire to grow personally and professionally has led him to study under many experts in the beauty business to help him develop new, innovative ways to approach everyday salon challenges. With a strong understanding of the fundamentals of hair as the key to his success, Dan has continued to explore new ways to bring them to life for his clients. It’s that approach that he brings to his teachings for Keune.

As a designer for the Keune Academy, Dan teaches Art, Design and Texture. He and John Yurkew wrote the Fundamentals of Finishing program, which they will present several times at the Academy this year.

“In the salon, I tailor my work to each client and his or her lifestyle,” shares Dan. “I don’t teach a technique or approach unless I’ve already used it behind the chair successfully. Attendees at my programs understand that I’m focused on helping them become better hairdressers in the salon, and they really appreciate that. I keep everything so simple that the stylists can take it and give it their own touches. I emphasize learning strong fundamentals. They learn about using shape, texture and color to maximize the natural beauty of a face’s shape, so they can then bring out their creativity and achieve their desired result.”

Dan’s favorite Keune products are Design Salt Mist for creating lots of volume and Design Thickening Cream to control frizz and add a bit of weight to the hair.

Currently the owner of Colours Hair Studio in Wisconsin, Dan and his wife Danielle, who is also a stylist, plan to move to Nashville next year and open a spa, salon and barbershop under one roof. Why the major move? “I was teaching in Nashville last year and Danielle and I fell in love with the area,” explains Dan. “As the home to country music and the business and tourism surrounding it, Nashville’s potential is enormous. We see it as the perfect location for achieving the next stage of our dream.”

Of course, he will continue to teach for Keune. “I put my heart and soul into Keune and I learn so much from my students in return,” he says. “I expect that to fuel my new adventure.”


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