Today we’d like to introduce you to Dayna Gamba.
Dayna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was 14 the first time I had ever cut someone’s hair and immediately I knew that this was IT for me. I fell in love with the way the scissors sounded, I fell in love with the immediate transformation from long hair to short hair on my brave friends. 19 years later and I’m even more obsessed with it. After I graduated high school in 2002, I went straight to cosmetology school. Fast forward a few years I decided to move Boston and that’s when my career really started to take off. I was featured on a reality hair show called Split Ends that aired in the E! Network, I was on the cover of magazines and my work was inside all of kinds of Boston based magazines. I was having a blast but something was missing. I had the urge to become a barber for a long time, but, I was in a salon that I was extremely successful in and for many years pushed my “urge” aside. In 2014 I decided to go back to school to attain my barbering License and my career has forever changed. It’s a pretty amazing thing when you find absolute passion in what you do for work. So now I’m teetering between both worlds of being a hairstylist and being a master barber. It’s an interesting combination and it’s the best of both worlds.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As far as being a barber goes, being a female in a male dominated industry is definitely challenging. I’ve seen clients walk into the barbershop, look at the male barbers and say… “Wait, there’s a chick in here? Can she cut hair?” There’s an image that men have when they hear the word “barber” and right now, I’m locally starting to change that. I’m trying to create a barber/Stylist friendly industry in Boston and it hasn’t been easy but it’s worth it. The hair industry is interesting and can actually become very political. The higher you want to educate yourself, the more complex it becomes. For instance, Boston in general has very old regulations that prohibits me from working as a barber and stylist in a brick and motor within the city. Technically if I work in a salon, I’m not allowed to use a razor even though I’m licensed as a master barber, and in a barbershop I’m not allowed to use my cosmetology skills. The establishment must be permitted for both in order for me to work there. Many regulations need to be met in order for that to happen but yet the health board hasn’t accepted the growth and development in barber/cosmetology industry. So, things like that have been frustrating but I have faith in Boston, and I look forward to the future of our city!
Please tell us about DGcuts.
As an independent contractor I’ve been creating a brand that has allowed me to maintain a very steady clientele while also being able to develop the |DGcuts| Education system. I’m a true believer that education is the future in the hair industry… More so now than ever. With the education workshops I’m able for provide barbers and stylists with the core fundamentals of hair cutting allowing creative thinking and endless possibility. I think what makes me different is connecting the two worlds of barbering and cosmetology together. My specialty is providing my clients with bespoke haircuts that boosts their confidence. It’s amazing to see the transformations.
I think ultimately my proudest moments in my career so far have been winning the first place title two years in a row at the largest barbering competition in the United States. And I recently placed as one of the top 5 female barbers in the country. That was huge!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood! God, I don’t know…I don’t have an exact memory but I loved just hanging out with my family. We always had Sunday family dinner which involved tons of food, lots of wine and my dad blasting a DVD concert on the TV…I have to say, that tradition is installed in me now.
Pricing:
- Prices vary from $50-$110
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.dgcuts.com
- Phone: 4016445130
- Email: dgcuts@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dgcuts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dgcuts/
- Other: http://Dgcuts.genbook
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Sharon Gamba
September 25, 2017 at 1:00 pm
She left out the part when I was called into her school for an emergency meeting for her having scissors. They said “your daughter has scissors and is secretly giving haircuts in the girls bathroom.” I said, ” Is she doing a good job giving the haircuts? Then what’s the problem here.” I’ll never forget that! She truly loves what she does and has from the beginning. Go Dayna! How many people get to love their job every single day!
Joan Pucino
September 26, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Loved reading Dayna’s story! I’ve not had the honor & fun to meet her in person yet, but I’ve heard so many wonderful things about her from Sharon. Dayna’s experience mirrors my grandson Dylan’s, who at 18 was just licensed as a barber too and started cutting hair in his early teens as well. Like all human endeavors that matter – barbering is a passion, an art and a beautiful gift to share. Best of luck Dayna Gamba and so happy for your success!