We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andy Doan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Andy, appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.
Hello, I have created The Dapper Wolf men’s salon to offer the best, highest quality experience without the pretense in a local industry where there are not many options. A place where the hard working blue collar guys come to hang their hats and relax, while building confidence through practical yet elevated hair styles.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I was raised in the home of a Vietnam naval veteran where myself and my two brothers (and sometimes our sister!) were sat upon a bar stool once a month to get our crew cuts. At the age of 12 my parents separated, and my dad gave me the clipper set to start cutting my own hair, as well as my brothers. I like to view it as the passing of the torch, and the rest is history.
The Dapper Wolf was born based on a vision, passion and necessity in an industry lacking any real option for a high-end men’s salon experience. We specialize in classic to modern styles with extensive consultations, resulting the most precise execution. We are a group that offers classic shaves, beard trims and haircuts with trendy practical everyday styling. Our mission is to offer the highest quality experience in a unique and comfortable environment.
The Dapper Wolf was created for the hard-working, everyday guy that enjoys looking nice and feeling great. I truly believe that a great haircut can build confidence – whether that’s for a nice night out, job interview or just everyday life.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
When I started cutting hair as a young teenager in kitchens, bathrooms, and garages, I never expected to be where I am today. My brothers, family members and friends would throw me a few bucks or treat me to a meal in exchange for their haircuts. It was just a way to pass time and it was a win-win for all. Eventually my high school teachers would continuously ask me, “Andy, what are you planning to do after you graduate? Have you any ideas?”. Of course, I had no plan. I had no clue what drove me, what inspired me, but I had this evolving skill that I took pride in and found real joy doing.
Fast forward a couple years and I was working a minimum wage job at a family friends salon as a client coordinator; taking calls and wiping down sweaty tanning beds. I would watch the stylists, take notes and apply what I learned to the cuts I was still doing for family and friends. One day the salon owner said “Andy, we all know you can cut hair, but you need to go to school and get your license! JUST DO IT ALREADY!”. So, I did.
After hair school I was in and out of salons as an employee, taking time off to re-evaluate life and doing other side jobs in other lines of work. After a couple years in a men’s specific salon, I woke one day, bright eyed and inspired to become my own boss. The Dapper Wolf was born.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I was able to fund my business based off years of hard saving and my 1st generation Vietnamese father’s constant echo of “If you cant afford it, you cant have it, so work hard, save your money and one day you will get what you want because you never want to be in debt to anyone if you can help it”.
Contact Info:
- Website: Thedapperwolf@gmail.com
- Instagram: Shop Instagram; TheDapperWolfMN Personal; TheeDapperWolf