A hairdresser with more than three decades of experience has opened a salon in Royton which is proving a major hit with Oldhamers already.
Daniel Livesey, known more fondly as 'hairdresser Dan', has a passion for hair and an incredible track record to prove it.
The 46-year-old from Shaw is brimming with experience which all started when he trained in an academy on Broadway in Chadderton under Mr Constantine Hair after leaving school.
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Daniel then went to work at Catherine Stott Hair Salon for 15 years before moving to the Cutting Room for another 15-year stint in Shaw.
Now, the seasoned professional has opened his first salon, Daniel Paul Hairdressing, on Park Lane in Royton - and in just four weeks has accumulated a flawless five-star rating.
Customers, new and old, are flocking to the salon, often travelling far and wide to see their favourite hair stylist in his "chilled" new premises.
However, taking the plunge wasn't easy as Dan said it was a "big risk" to go solo in a different venue.
He continued: "I was a bit nervous at first but now I've got into and I'm seeing what the turnover is, it's been a good move.
"I feel like I should've done it a long time ago.
"I've been hairdressing straight from school - it's all I've ever known and I've never had a job doing anything else.
"It becomes more your lifestyle than your job.
"You sort of live it - it's part of you.
"Everybody knows me as hairdresser Dan."
Before taking the leap of faith, Dan said he struggled post-lockdown as he was "forced into self-employment", having been given the option to either rent a chair or find somewhere else to work.
He decided to rent a chair but shortly after, his Universal Credit was cut and he was struggling to get by.
His partner of almost six years, Rachael Ellis, said: "He was obviously nervous about opening his own place but when he was paying out all that money to rent a chair, he was just working to pay his rent and his bills.
"He didn't have any social life or things like that."
Instead of packing in his passion, towards the end of last year Dan had his purpose-built salon constructed within two weeks and the doors to Daniel Paul Hairdressing opened in January.
Since the launch, Dan said he's been "very busy" running the salon "like a one-man band".
From gents perms to crazy designs, including UV glow-in-the-dark colours, Dan can cut both men's and women's hair, but draws the line at colour correction work from box dyes.
The salon also prides itself on being a safe space for people who are perhaps nervous about going to the hairdresser, promising a judgement-free and intimate setting with just Dan in the salon to offer a one-on-one service.
Rachel explained: "It's such a nice, small salon, it's ideal for people who are nervous about going.
"We've had a lady with alopecia and because it's just Dan on his own, she felt really comfortable.
"It's just really chilled out.
"Some people might not want to come in and talk or listen to loads of hair dryers going on.
"We also literally have parking three steps away - customers can park on the drive so when it's wet and windy, their hair isn't getting messed up going back to the car."
Dan also said he works hard to give his clients the best service and products on the market, "but not at an inflated price".
He says he feels getting your hair done "shouldn't be a luxury", adding: "People should be able to enjoy having their hair done without paying ridiculous prices or having substandard products applied to keep the costs down.
"We’re all trying to make a living and to survive, and people shouldn’t be thinking that they have to go broke trying to look rich.
"We’re in a cost of living crisis and we are all suffering, and my prices reflect that."
Google reviews show customers have picked up on this ethos, commenting that the prices are "reasonable" and praising the salon's "friendly", "cool" and "relaxed" atmosphere as well as Dan's "amazing talent".
Dozens of customers vow to have followed Dan for decades, writing they feel "a million dollars" and are showered in compliments by people.
A woman wrote: "Over the years I've had my hair styled in so many ways by Daniel, cut and blow drys, streaks, curled, straightened, full hair colour from a natural looking shade of dye to being bleached and even pink and purple.
"I've even driven from Merseyside numerous times just to have my hair done by him because I know I get amazing results.
"That's how good he is and I'll always keep going to his salon."
A man also wrote: "Daniel Paul has been cutting my hair for over 30 years and I can't fault his work."
Reacting to his five-star rating on Google, Dan said: "It's fantastic. It's just nice that people can leave that feedback, so I know I'm doing a good job and if there is anything I need to change, I can take that onboard."
Rachael said she was "so proud" to see him do well, adding: "He deserves this. I'm just so over the moon.
"He's made me believe in humanity again.
"I just want him to be happy to share his skills because he is just so good at what he does."
Got a business story? Email me olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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