Her Story
About Dawn
Dawn Lanfrank is a hairstylist, master colorist, salon suite owner, and inventor with more than 40 years of experience in the beauty industry. From an early age, Dawn knew she wanted to become a hairstylist, inspired by her aunt and her natural creativity, which she expressed through styling dolls’ hair and experimenting with beauty. While still in high school, she attended cosmetology school and began working in a salon at age 16. Although she briefly considered pursuing college, Dawn recognized that her passion was rooted in hands-on, creative work and building meaningful relationships with clients. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of professional roles, including salon management, before ultimately choosing to focus her energy on hairstyling, color, and client service.
Three years ago, following a significant personal transition, Dawn took the entrepreneurial step of opening her own salon suite, a decision she considers one of the best choices of her career. Operating independently has allowed her to create a personalized environment, maintain greater control over her business, and devote her full attention to her clients and craft. Her entrepreneurial spirit also extends to product innovation. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Dawn's creativity and decades of experience behind the chair inspired an idea for a new beauty tool designed to address practical challenges faced by hairstylists and clients. She developed detailed renderings and a 3D prototype, ultimately advancing the concept to patent-pending status. She is now exploring opportunities to bring the innovation to market, including potential licensing partnerships with an established beauty company.
Dawn attributes much of her success and inspiration to the strong women who have influenced her, including her mother, her sister, fellow hairstylists, and other women who have built successful careers while navigating the demands of family and entrepreneurship. She places a high value on respect, professionalism, integrity, attentive listening, and genuine client relationships, while viewing continuous education as essential to remaining successful in an evolving industry. She encourages aspiring hairstylists to continually develop their skills by taking classes, following industry trends and social media, attending professional events, and remaining open to learning. With her combination of technical expertise, creativity, entrepreneurship, and passion for innovation, Dawn continues to build upon a remarkable career while pursuing new opportunities to make a lasting contribution to the beauty industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dawn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to following my passion, staying true to myself, and never being afraid to pursue new opportunities. I knew from a young age that hairstyling was what I wanted to do, and my aunt, who was also a hairstylist, inspired me to follow that path. Over more than 40 years in the beauty industry, I have continued to develop my craft, build strong relationships with my clients, and learn from every experience, including the challenges I faced along the way. Opening my own salon suite gave me the independence to focus on what I love most, while the creativity I discovered during the COVID-19 lockdown ultimately inspired me to develop a patent-pending beauty tool. I believe my willingness to keep learning, embrace change, trust my creativity, and turn challenges into opportunities has been fundamental to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to remain open to learning and never underestimate the value of the people around you. Throughout my career, I have been inspired by my mother and sister, fellow hairstylists, colleagues, and especially women who have demonstrated strength and perseverance while balancing their careers and families. I have learned something from each person and experience, whether through industry events, beauty shows, social media, or simply working alongside other professionals. I believe success comes from continually developing your skills, listening to others, sharing knowledge, and being willing to grow. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, so I encourage others to stay curious, embrace new ideas, and remember that inspiration and valuable lessons can come from anyone.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the beauty industry is to find something you genuinely love and make a commitment to continuous learning. When you are passionate about your work, it becomes something you look forward to rather than simply a job. Take advantage of every educational opportunity available, including classes, industry events, professional organizations, and salons that prioritize training and development. Even after more than 40 years in the industry, I continue to learn, stay current with new techniques and trends, and find inspiration through platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. Most importantly, stay curious, be open to new ideas, and always look for ways to improve yourself and your craft. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and a willingness to learn and grow will help you build a successful and rewarding career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field often come from change. Throughout my career, I have experienced significant personal and professional transitions, including opening my own salon suite during a challenging period in my life. Rather than allowing those circumstances to hold me back, I saw them as an opportunity to create greater independence and focus on the work I truly love. The COVID-19 lockdown presented another unexpected challenge, but it also gave me the time and space to develop an idea for a beauty tool that has since evolved into a patent-pending invention. Today, one of my greatest opportunities is bringing that innovation to the broader beauty market, while navigating the challenges of funding, manufacturing, and finding the right licensing partner. These experiences have taught me that challenges can often lead to new possibilities, and that persistence, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset are essential for turning obstacles into opportunities for growth.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are respect, professionalism, integrity, family, and continuous growth. I believe in treating every person with kindness and respect and in building relationships based on trust and honesty. As a hairstylist, I believe listening is one of the most important parts of providing exceptional service because understanding each client’s needs, preferences, and expectations allows me to create a personalized experience. I also believe in never stopping my own growth and education, regardless of how many years I have been in the industry. Family is at the heart of my life, and I deeply value the traditions, connections, and togetherness that have shaped who I am. I also prioritize health and staying active because maintaining balance and taking care of myself gives me the energy to continue pursuing my personal and professional goals. Ultimately, I strive to live and work with integrity, perseverance, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to the people around me.
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