Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Jackson.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My entrepreneurial journey began while I was a student at Howard University, where I was studying to become a dermatologist. I’ve always been passionate about both beauty and health, and for a long time I believed medicine was the path I was meant to take. But as I continued to grow, I realized I was being called in a different direction.
People constantly complimented my hair and asked what I used. After fighting my intuition to start a business for nearly a year, I finally decided to step out on faith and launch So Rare Hair while I was still in college. My very first sale was a presale, with customers supporting me from both my hometown of Memphis and my new community in Washington, D.C. That initial encouragement gave me the confidence to keep building.
People often see where a business is today, but they don’t see the years of consistency behind it. So Rare Hair wasn’t an overnight success. It was built one customer, one order, and one relationship at a time. There were seasons when growth was slow and moments when I questioned myself. Even today, entrepreneurship isn’t always a 9-to-5—sometimes it’s a 9 a.m. to midnight commitment. But I genuinely love what I do, so it never feels like work.
For six years, I focused on growing So Rare Hair, learning the realities of entrepreneurship and building a brand that people trusted. I never wanted to expand simply for the sake of growth. I wanted to build a solid foundation first. Those six years taught me resilience, patience, and the value of earning people’s trust. Once I knew I had created something meaningful, I felt ready to expand my vision.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to trust your intuition. Entrepreneurship may not be everyone’s path, and that’s okay. I want to encourage people to explore their interests because sometimes your purpose is discovered by simply having the courage to try. If I had ignored that feeling to start So Rare Hair, I don’t know where I’d be today.
That journey eventually inspired me to open Rare Necessities Salon & Suites in Downtown Memphis. Rare Necessities isn’t just a place to rent a salon suite—it’s a community. I understand how isolating entrepreneurship can feel, especially when you’re the first business owner in your family or circle. I wanted to create a place where independent beauty professionals could experience the freedom of owning their own businesses while also being surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs who encourage one another, exchange ideas, and grow together.
Rare Necessities represents more than beauty— I envisioned a space where people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures could learn from one another, build lasting relationships, and enjoy coming to work because they feel inspired and supported.
The values that guide every decision I make are faith, honesty, and transparency. At the end of the day, we’re all human, and I believe people deserve to be treated with respect. If you asked my customers what they know me for, I hope they’d say I’m fair, professional, and committed to delivering a quality experience every single time. Professionalism has always been one of the greatest compliments I receive because it reflects the standards I’ve set for myself and my businesses.
My vision for Rare Necessities is to become known not only for professionalism, but also for creating opportunities and resources for the community in which it operates. Through initiatives like our Pretty & Professional networking events and future educational workshops, I want to help entrepreneurs connect, learn from one another, and build sustainable businesses. I believe our community becomes stronger when we invest in one another and openly share knowledge and resources.
Looking back, I’m grateful I stayed consistent, even when progress felt slow. Success didn’t come from one big moment—it came from showing up every day, staying true to my values, and believing in the vision long before everyone else could see it. Sometimes the biggest act of faith is believing in yourself before anyone else does.
If sharing my journey encourages even one person to trust their intuition, remain consistent, and pursue the vision that’s been placed on their heart, then every challenge along the way has been worth it. My hope is that people don’t just see the businesses I’ve built—they see what’s possible when faith, consistency, and integrity come together with a willingness to keep showing up.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think any meaningful journey ever is. Every stage of entrepreneurship has brought a new challenge, and each one has required me to grow into a different version of myself.
One of the biggest misconceptions about owning a business is that once you’re successful, the challenges disappear. In reality, the challenges just change. In the beginning, I was focused on earning my first customer. Today, I’m focused on leading teams, creating opportunities for others, and making decisions that impact multiple businesses and the people who depend on them.
There have been moments when I’ve questioned myself. Entrepreneurship often requires long days, difficult conversations, and sacrifices that most people never see. There are times when the work stretches far beyond a traditional workday, and balancing the responsibilities of leadership can be mentally and emotionally demanding. But every challenge has taught me something valuable. One lesson that has stayed with me is that consistency matters more than perfection. I didn’t build my businesses by having all the answers. I built them by continuing to show up, learning from my mistakes, and refusing to let temporary setbacks define my future.
As a business owner, I’ve also learned that integrity isn’t always the easiest path, but it’s always the one worth taking. My reputation has been built on faith, honesty, transparency, and professionalism. Those values have carried me through difficult seasons and have earned the trust of my customers over the years.
Another challenge has been building community. Entrepreneurship can feel lonely, especially when you’re one of the first people in your family or circle to pursue it. That’s one of the reasons I created Rare Necessities. I wanted to build the kind of environment I wished I had—one where entrepreneurs can learn from one another, support each other, and realize they don’t have to navigate business alone.
Looking back, I don’t wish away the obstacles because they shaped the leader I am today. Every setback strengthened my resilience, deepened my faith, and reminded me why I started in the first place. I believe growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. Every obstacle has been an opportunity to become a stronger entrepreneur, a better leader, and a better person.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rare Necessities Salon & Suites?
Rare Necessities Salon & Suites is more than a salon—it’s a community built for beauty professionals who want the freedom of owning their own businesses while being surrounded by support, collaboration, and opportunity.
After spending six years building So Rare Hair, I realized entrepreneurship can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be isolating. Many independent beauty professionals have the talent to succeed, but they often lack access to resources, mentorship, networking opportunities, and a professional environment that encourages long-term growth. Rare Necessities was created to bridge that gap.
Our mission is to provide luxury salon suites while fostering a culture of professionalism, education, and community. We believe success is even more meaningful when it’s shared, which is why we host events like our Pretty & Professional networking series to connect entrepreneurs, encourage collaboration, and provide resources that help beauty professionals grow both personally and professionally.
One thing I’m especially proud of is the culture we’ve created. Rare Necessities welcomes professionals from different backgrounds, generations, and specialties who genuinely support one another. I wanted to create an environment where people enjoy coming to work, exchange ideas freely, and feel inspired by the success of those around them rather than intimidated by it.
What sets Rare Necessities apart is that we don’t simply rent salon suites—we invest in people. We believe professionalism, integrity, and consistency should be the standard, and we strive to create an experience that reflects those values in every interaction.
As a Black woman entrepreneur, I also understand the importance of representation and access. My goal is to build a business that not only provides beautiful spaces but also serves as a resource for our community by helping entrepreneurs gain confidence, build sustainable businesses, and create generational wealth through ownership.
At the end of the day, I want Rare Necessities to be known for more than beauty. I want it to be known as a place where careers are built, businesses are launched, lifelong relationships are formed, and people leave believing they are capable of achieving more than they ever imagined.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is creating. Whether I’m building a business, developing new ideas, or creating opportunities for other people, I feel most fulfilled when I’m bringing something meaningful into the world. I also find joy in helping others see what’s possible for themselves. One of the greatest rewards of entrepreneurship is watching someone gain confidence, pursue their dreams, or realize they are capable of more than they imagined. Knowing I’ve played even a small role in that journey is incredibly rewarding.
I also believe that happiness is a choice. There are days when life is difficult, business is challenging, or things don’t go as planned. I still choose to bring light into every room I enter. I smile even on the days when I’m carrying my own burdens because you never know what someone else is going through. A simple act of kindness or encouragement can completely change someone’s day.
Outside of business, my faith keeps me grounded and reminds me to be grateful for every opportunity, every lesson, and every person I’ve met along the way. I’ve learned that success isn’t what brings happiness—purpose does. When you wake up each day doing work that aligns with who you are and positively impacts others, it’s hard not to feel fulfilled.
At the end of the day, I hope people remember me not just for the businesses I’ve built, but for the way I made people feel. If I can leave someone more encouraged, more confident, or more hopeful than when I met them, then I consider that a successful day. I believe our greatest purpose isn’t just to chase success—it’s to become a light that helps others find their own path.
Pricing:
- Luxury suites starting at $235/week.
- Bundle deals starting at $210.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rarenecessities.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rarenecessities901
