Danielle Balsz: Making Waves in Northeast Ohio Hair
- Kelly Coyne
- Feb 21
- 3 min read
The hairstylist scene in Northeast Ohio is heating up, with young and veteran stylists making waves. One of the rising names in the industry is Danielle Balsz, an up-and-coming stylist practicing out of the Lock Loft. Originally from California, Balsz recently relocated to the area and is eager to establish herself in the local beauty community.
Specializing in lived-in color, which focuses on enhancing natural tones, Balsz has been passionate about hairstyling since high school. It was during this time that she realized her hobby could turn into a career. Wanting to be her own boss, she found hairstyling the perfect avenue to achieve that goal.
She attended Saba Beauty School in California and later worked as an assistant there. Currently, she assists Ashlin at the Lock Loft once a week while taking her own clients on other days.
Balsz draws inspiration from Instagram and the talented professionals she has worked alongside. She explains, “The people I’ve assisted have shown me that growth comes from trusting yourself and taking that first step. I’m inspired by watching others step into their confidence, figure things out, and make it happen. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the key is simply to trust the process and go for it.”
Highly motivated to make a name for herself in the Northeast Ohio stylist scene, Balsz embraces the challenge of marketing herself in a new city. She shares, “...Being able to create the life I want and work for myself is incredibly rewarding. Every new booking reminds me that I put myself out there and made it happen. Marketing yourself is essential, especially when you’re starting from scratch in a new place. I didn’t grow up here, so I didn’t have a built-in network—I had to build it myself. That’s why growing my audience and having more people in the community know me is so motivating. Every new client is proof that I’m making it happen, one booking at a time.”
The Northeast Ohio hair scene differs greatly from other major markets, something Balsz has noticed from her California background. She notes, “Coming from California, I’ve noticed a big difference in how people approach hair here. Back home, trends move fast—there’s always something new. But here, the vibe is much more low-maintenance, with lived-in colors and clients coming in every few months. The trends don’t travel as quickly, so the styles tend to stay consistent for longer.”
A hairstylist has the power to transform someone’s day through their work. On the impact she has, Balsz shares, “I love being able to make someone feel really good about themselves. Clients come to me with a vision, and I get to help bring it to life. Knowing they walk out feeling more confident every day is the most rewarding part of what I do.”
Breaking into the industry and thriving isn’t easy, but Balsz offers insight into what it takes to succeed, saying, “I believe that confidence and trust in your skills make all the difference. I approach my work with a calm, confident mindset, knowing that when you trust yourself, you can create amazing results. My goal is to help every client feel their best by bringing their vision to life with expertise and care.”
What she enjoys most about being a stylist is the variety each day brings. No two days are the same, making every experience unique and exciting.
Looking ahead, Balsz is focused on building a steady clientele and making her name known in the area.
Follow Balsz:
Instagram: @hairbydaniellebalsz
Book with Balsz:
Comments