Regardless of profession, mentorship is a crucial element in guiding and shaping careers. It provides individuals with the support, knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate their chosen paths.
In the beauty industry, where trends and techniques constantly evolve, having a mentor can make all the difference. Unfortunately, the beauty world has often been marked by a gatekeeping mentality. Danielle Keasling, with 27 years of experience, is on a mission to redefine mentorship by eliminating these barriers.
Though she had numerous mentors, Danielle acknowledges that many came with gatekeeping, and not to take away from any of the mentors she had, she makes it clear that “it wasn’t what [she] would consider mentorship”.
While she did benefit from their expertise, she still had to “light her own ass on fire and jump through hoops”.
Danielle believes that true mentorship should empower individuals, allowing them to flourish rather than forcing them to navigate endless “hoops” and navigate unspoken rules. By emphasizing open communication and accessibility, she is dedicated to fostering a supportive culture that uplifts all beauty professions, which includes developing her own mentorship programs to provide guidance and support.
If you’re on the hunt for a mentor, Danielle has some solid advice: Reach out to the people you feel safest with and know won’t shut the door.
At the end of the day, mentorship is a two-way street, so stay curious, take initiative, and always invest in your own growth!
Dive deeper into mentorship and Danielle’s advice in the full episode of Tease Talks here or wherever you stream and head over to our Instagram @Readthetease.
