Daymaking Can Change Someone’s World (and Yours)

Back in 1986, on what appeared to be a day like any other, a genuine moment of connection shaped the course of my guest’s life—and mine.

A client came in to have her hair styled. I was surprised to see her in my chair; she was right in the middle of her regular five-week appointment schedule. I guessed she had an important social engagement, and I asked her about her evening plans. 
 
“I don’t have anything special going on,” she said. “I just want to look and feel good tonight.”
 
I gave her a great scalp massage, and I shampooed and styled her hair. During our 30 minutes together, we had a marvelous time. We shared stories, and we laughed.  Before she turned to leave, she smiled and gave me a hug.
 
A few days later, I received the letter she penned to me. She planned to end her life that night, and she wanted her hair styled to look good for the funeral. In our half hour together, though, she changed her mind; she had hope that things could get better. So, she checked herself into the hospital and sought professional help. “Thank you for being there without knowing you were,” she wrote. “You saved my life.”

I was stunned. She sat in my chair every five weeks for several years, and I would never have guessed the dark place she was struggling to escape.

While I was heartened to have made such a difference—the experience also awakened me to a profound sense of responsibility.

 What if I had been upset or distracted? What if I had hurried through her appointment when she came to see me? 
 
That experience made me examine myself as a stylist and as a person. How many clients-in-crisis were sitting in my chair every day—crises I’d never know about?

I vowed to give thoughtful care and attention to every guest I saw. I treated them as if they were “the one,” and I committed to making their day.

That experience is the powerful origin story behind Daymaking.

It’s why every April 29th, we at JUUT celebrate Daymaker Day—to remind ourselves that even simple acts can transform someone’s world.

Daymaking fills the void, and it’s never been so essential

When we embrace a way of being that’s built on presence, intention, and heart, we can remind those around us that someone cares, that they’re not invisible—that they belong.

And we need that more than ever.

Right now, the world feels heavy. Between global crises, personal struggles, and a 24/7 stream of negative news, it’s easy to feel powerless. More people are feeling anxious, isolated, or burnt out.

But Daymaking reminds us of our power: the power to uplift, connect, and inspire one interaction at a time. And by engaging in simple acts of kindness, we can offer hope, create connection, and remind someone they’re not alone.

The best part?

When you make someone’s day, you often spark something in them…and the cycle of kindness continues.

We need more light-bearers

We all have the capacity to uplift others, even amid the most trying times. Daymakers don’t wait for systems to change or the world to get better, of course. They start making it better right now. With presence. With love. With one intentional act at a time.

How can you embrace Daymaking in your everyday life?

• Sending a “no reason” text: A quick “thinking of you and grateful for you” to a friend, parent, or sibling can soften someone’s hard day, and it takes less than 60 seconds.
• Letting someone go ahead of you in line or in traffic: It may seem small, but these quiet acts of patience often ripple far beyond what we see.
• Listening without interrupting: Giving someone your full, present attention when they speak is one of the rarest and most healing gifts.
• Leaving surprise notes or little gifts: A flower on a neighbor’s doorstep, a sticky note in your partner’s lunchbox, or a small treat in your kid’s backpack says, “You are loved. I’m thinking of you.”
• Being first to apologize or forgive: When ego says, “wait,” Daymaking says, “go.” Choosing peace and connection over being right is one of the boldest forms of kindness.

And the thread that connects it all?

Daymaking is a choice. A choice to lead with love, to slow down enough to notice someone else, and to show up in the world with generosity of spirit.

There are powerful lessons here for all of us

When I understood the profound impact of simply making someone’s day, my approach to engaging with others changed.

At work, I no longer saw my role as a service provider alone, but also as a safe space. I met each guest with curiosity instead of assumption, and I learned to listen not just with my ears, but with my whole being. Sometimes, I found, it wasn’t about the hair at all; it was about being present for the human in front of me.

Outside of work, that experience softened me, too. I became more patient, more tuned-in. I asked deeper questions. I gave people time to answer. I didn’t try to fix everything, I just tried to be with them, fully.

Today, I look back and am reminded of what that interaction taught me: that everyone is carrying something. And when I choose to lead with empathy and intention, I get to make a difference—not by doing anything heroic, but simply by showing up with heart.

That’s what being a Daymaker means to me.

It’s not a job, it’s a way of being.

Why does Daymaking resonate so deeply?

These acts of care tap into something universally human, the deep desire to feel seen, valued, and uplifted. In a world that often feels rushed, transactional, and divided, the simple act of intentionally making someone’s day stands out like a beam of light.

Daymaking is the empowering, heart-centered approach to filling up those around us—and ourselves. How so?

• It’s rooted in love, not ego. Unlike grand gestures or attention-seeking kindness, Daymaking is quiet, intentional, and often anonymous. It’s not about getting credit, it’s about creating joy. That authenticity makes it feel pure and deeply touching.
• It gives people what they didn’t know they needed. Whether it’s a compliment, a listening ear, or unexpected help, Daymaking often shows up where there’s an invisible ache. That surprise—someone noticed me—can change the trajectory of someone’s whole day, or even their life.
• It empowers both the giver and receiver. To make someone’s day reminds the giver they have the power to impact the world with just their presence and intention. And for the receiver, it’s a moment of being lifted, proof that goodness still exists.

In the end, Daymaking matters because it reminds us that the world is still full of heart, and that we can be the reason someone else feels hopeful again.

And it’s powerful because it reminds us who we are.

At our core, we are here to love, to lift, to connect. Daymaking brings us back to that truth. It’s not just something nice to do, it’s a way of being that can heal our homes, our workplaces, and our world.

Today as we celebrate Daymaker Day, we also celebrate you, our guest. Each time you visit us is a reminder that we have made a connection that is bonded by the spirit of Daymaking. For that we are so grateful.

David Wagner
Founder/Daymaker
JUUT Salonspas