BIO

Wagner, an internationally acclaimed hairstylist, entrepreneur, and “Daymaker,” is the owner of Juut Salonspas, the original Aveda salons. His bestselling book, Life as a Daymaker: How to Change the World Simply by Making Someone’s Day, is generating a worldwide kindness movement. Wagner has worked with the U.S. Navy on Project Daymaker, a program designed to increase retention of enlistees. For more information, visit www.daymakermovement.com.

STORY EXCERPT

That night, on the flight home, I sat next to a very conservative businessman in first class. There I was with my big rock ’n’ roll hair and leather pants. I looked like the lead singer from REO Speedwagon. This businessman looked at me and asked, “What do you do?” I said, “I’m a Daymaker.” “You’re a what?” he asked. I said, “I’m a Daymaker.” He said, “What in the world is a Daymaker?” I said, “I make people’s day.” That’s how I coined the term—it just came out in the conversation. I liked it so much that I tossed out my business cards the next day and ordered new ones with “Daymaker” under my name instead of “Stylist.”