The average adult changes careers approximately 7 times during their life. Why do you think that is? People settle on careers every day. Performing the same daily tasks can quickly become monotonous if you aren't interested in what you are doing. So many people, probably yourself at some point, have switched jobs just for a change of pace.
So, why not do something you love? Start in a broad area, gain experience, and eventually you will be able to zero in on something you are absolutely passionate about. This is the path that David Hansen chose to take that eventually led to his 50+ year (and counting!) career in Men's Custom Hair Replacement.
Born the son of an Illinois barber, David lived in the back of a barber shop during the majority of his childhood. From an early age he was exposed to the world of hair design, watching thousands of haircuts being performed. At the age of 12 he began to cut hair for his friends and class mates. This was the foundation of his career. As he learned the tricks of the trade from his father, he eventually decided that hair dressing, rather than traditional barbering, was more his style.
In 1962, David moved to Chicago. He took a job at Chicago's famous Continental Barber Salon, where he worked with the best stylists from all over Europe. He studied their techniques, which were new to him and the United States, and became so proficient he quickly became the most popular stylist at the shop. Impressed by his boss' many trophies, he asked for some advice on how to win some of his own. He agreed to show David the ropes of not just styling natural hair, but how to create and style men's hairpieces. He began to enter and win styling competitions, then hairpiece competitions. It was then, after over a decade of learning different areas under the broad umbrella of the hair world, that David found his absolute passion.
David Hansen opened his first Custom Hair Restoration Salon for Men in 1965. He was so enthusiastic about his craft that he continued participating in Men's Hair Replacement competitions, and teaching other barbers and hairdressers his craft. When he would meet someone with skills unbeknownst to him, he would show not jealousy, but an incredible desire to learn from them. He had a desire to be the very best, not for bragger's rights, but to be able to give men who are suffering a hairpiece that was absolutely realistic and completely undetectable.
His business grew exponentially over the years. Although success was always a friend to him, he observed that as his business grew, the less of a difference there was between his pieces and the inferior ones of his flashier rivals. in 1980, he downsized, getting back to a more personal relationship with his customers. He vowed to work on each person that walked through the door himself, and that each piece he created would be even more realistic than the next.
The love for what he does has kept him in business with a loyal and steady clientele ever since. He holds himself to a higher standard, able to find the balance between functionality and style. Many of our clients have commented that he knows their hair better than they do. He will work on each piece until it is to the exact specifications it ought to be. By the time a client walks out the door, there is no indication whatsoever that he is wearing a Hair Replacement System.
The passion David Hansen has for the work that he does reflects in the quality of each piece he creates. His love for his art has given him over 50 years of experience, and over 50 years as the very best in his field. He is an inspiration for me, and all those that meet him.
