Meet Sarah Piel | Hair Stylist/ Educator & Founder of Black Dagger Hair

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Piel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve been a hairstylist since 2009. When I first started in 2010, I worked at a really cool punk/alternative hair space in Hillcrest called Ralph’s Hair Place. I spent five years there before going independent.

Fast forward to 2022—after many years of working alone or with a partner in various small salon suite locations and surviving the pandemic (our industry was hit hard by the shutdowns), I felt isolated, uninspired, and out of place. Other than my time at Ralph’s, I always felt like the “token alternative person” wherever I worked. I thought about this and realized that all the alternative hair spaces in San Diego had closed—they no longer existed.

That realization sparked a new goal: to open my own salon. As a queer person and part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I also wanted my space to serve as a safe haven for other queer folks—somewhere they could receive gender-affirming hair care services without hesitation.

When I originally opened Black Dagger Hair in February 2023, I was alone and had only rented half of the space we currently occupy. The salon grew quickly with the addition of one more stylist and my first assistant. Folks seeking alternative cuts, creative styles, and gender-affirming hair care flocked to us. By October 2023, we expanded into the space next door, doubling our square footage and the number of chairs we had. By the summer of 2024, every chair was filled.

Today, we have 11 stylists, including myself, with another joining us soon. To continue growing, I plan to add a few more chairs to maximize our space and offerings. Black Dagger Hair is an inclusive salon that caters to all hair textures, ensuring everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed and seen.

What should our readers know about your business?
Black Dagger Hair is more than just a salon—it’s a community. We specialize in alternative cuts, creative styles, and gender-affirming hair care in an inclusive, welcoming environment. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating a space where people of all backgrounds, identities, and hair textures feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

I’m incredibly proud of how quickly the salon has grown. When I first opened in February 2023, it was just me in a half-rented space. Within months, we expanded, doubling in size, and today, we have a team of 11 talented stylists, with more joining soon. Seeing so many people—both stylists and clients—connect with our mission is something I never could have predicted, and I’m beyond grateful for it.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. The journey has been filled with challenges—feeling isolated in my industry, navigating the pandemic as an independent stylist, and taking the leap to open my own space. There were long days and late nights preparing the salon and working extra just to keep the doors open. But every challenge reinforced why this space needed to exist.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the right people will find you. I created Black Dagger Hair as a place where I felt at home, and in doing so, I realized that so many other stylists and clients were searching for that same sense of belonging. Authenticity attracts community, and I believe that has been the key to our success.

At the heart of Black Dagger Hair is the belief that hair is more than just hair—it’s identity, self-expression, and confidence. I want the world to know that we are here, that alternative and queer-friendly hair spaces do exist, and that everyone deserves to feel like the best version of themselves when they sit in our chairs.

We are deeply committed to giving back to our community. Throughout the year, we host free gender-affirming haircut events, including at San Diego Pride Festival, to provide affirming services to those who need them. I also offer a Pay What You Can Cut Day once a month for those experiencing financial hardship, ensuring that everyone has access to a great haircut, regardless of their situation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d definitely start by stopping by the salon so they could check it out! After that, we’d grab a coffee from my favorite spot on Adams Ave, Dark Horse—plus a vegan donut, of course. Next, we’d head to Hillcrest to explore the thrift stores and vintage shops before spending some time in Balboa Park, relaxing on the grass and soaking in the beauty of the trees. For dinner, I’d take them to Kindred because, as a vegan, I love both their incredible food and their perfectly curated vibe. To end the night, we might hit up Club Sabbat or another goth/alternative event or show—because no visit would be complete without a little nightlife!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be here without my incredible clientele! Many of my clients have been following me around San Diego since my days at Ralph’s Hair Place. Their dedication and loyalty have made this success possible, and I am eternally grateful for that.

The salon wouldn’t be what it is today without the amazing group of stylists I work alongside. They believe in our mission and help create the inclusive, creative space that makes Black Dagger Hair so special.

I also want to give a huge shoutout to the incredible stylists who have mentored me throughout my career. They saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself for a very long time, and their guidance has shaped me into the stylist and salon owner I am today.

My partner, Leda, has been my biggest supporter since day one of opening this salon. She’s stood by my side through all the stress and challenges, always cheering me on and believing in me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without her.

And last but certainly not least, I want to acknowledge the San Diego recovery community. I’ve been sober for 6.5 years, and I truly wouldn’t have anything I have today without their embrace and support.

Website: https://blackdaggerhair.com

Instagram: @blackdaggerhair

Image Credits
Cat Thompson