Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Dow.
Hi Matthew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey looks a little different than the “norm”. I spent my entire life engulfed in the beauty culture/industry. I knew from a young age that I would end up in this field. Post-High School I started the process of applying to a beauty school in Illinois, and the timing wasn’t right. Instead, I jumped into working and spent the next 8 years wondering if it would ever happen for me. As the saying goes “timing is everything”, and it was.
At 26 I was working for Aveda and completely consumed by the culture. It was at this time that I thought “if not now, when?” I enrolled at The Institute of Beauty & Wellness in Milwaukee, WI. It was there I was met with validation I was in the right place at the right time. I cultivated many relationships with other industry professionals that I still talk to, idolize, work with and learn from.
It’s now been 8 years since then and I’m running a successful business. A salon suite of my own with clients that I love. The desire to grow and learn is still there all these years later. I jump at the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and push myself to learn something new. I’m excited to see where the next 8 years will take me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. I’d be lying if I said it was a perfect transition. There have been plenty of hardships and challenges. Being a baby stylist comes with its own individual challenges, but ones that would eventually be used as a roadmap for future development.
Sprinkled on top of that, you add in a job change, financial issues, and a pandemic that makes for plenty of bumps along the road. All of which I can say played a big part in getting me to where I am now. Without them, I’m not sure where life would have taken me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the sole owner of Half Moon Salon LLC, located in Mount Pleasant, WI; about 35 minutes south of Milwaukee.
I started the process of being a business owner during the 2020 pandemic. It was our first month of quarantine and I had nothing but time to make this my main priority. With not knowing what was going to happen in the world, I knew that I wanted to have complete control over my business and brand. There was a complete shift in the salon industry due to the pandemic and I fully believe it was the right time to pursue this new business model. Clients these days desire privacy, attention and a sense of safety. That’s not always possible in a giant salon filled with other stylists, clients and loud music and blow-dryers.
At Half Moon, I strive to create an exclusively inclusive, safe space. I want every client, new or not, to feel that they’re in a space they can come and be heard and seen. I pride myself on my consultations. I offer them as a complimentary service before I even schedule a new client for an appointment. It’s important for both of us to discuss their goal, expectations, likes and dislikes, time, and cost.
Personally, I thrive in color. I love creating a beautifully blended, live-in color. Regardless of the color, one thing I know for certain is that people want something that is low-maintenance. They don’t want to come in every 4 weeks for another 2+ hours. It’s important to note, I’m also a perfectionist. I do not rush through services. What might take someone 90 minutes might take me 120. If my work isn’t “perfect” I will do what it takes to make it so; even if that means redoing one weave 6 times. This is because I want to be sure the client is getting what they’re going to pay for. I want to be just as proud of my work as they are to wear it.
What are your plans for the future?
As of right now, my business is going through a transitional phase. I’m in the process of rebranding the business, creating a website, working on new and improved content, continuing my education, and manifesting future dreams.
At the end of 2023 through mid-2024, I enrolled back into Aveda IBW to get my instructors license. I am extremely proud to say I graduated the course and passed my WI state board exam and am certified state cosmetology instructor. I’d love to start a training program and help train new generations of cosmetologists.
My biggest dream would be to work with some of my favorite stylists and brands. My biggest goal is to, in some way, work with the brand Being Frenshe. As a consumer, I have ALWAYS loved the brand and what it stands for. The products are just the cherry on top. Recently, they launched a Hair Wellness line and I cannot say enough good things about it. I know, as a hairstylist, I’m supposed to only push high-end products, but these out-perform some of the most high-end products I’ve ever tried. I started utilizing them in my salon and have been so impressed with how they work on different types of hair. I’m so excited to see what comes next from them, and am hoping to work with them in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shop.saloninteractive.com/store/HalfMoonSalonLLC?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaQEDZsTMKlHnG42CEn_ht0Y8-vmreaGQXLyEz0JFhwSmaA6AKEQuqN-4o_aem_DXlJWE_elU6n1Wcv3_4tfQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halfmoonsalon?igsh=bGd3ZnJ3aW96a3M5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gr4hNYuzv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mat.matt.matte
Image Credits
All photos were taken by Matthew and his best friend Samantha, with, and of, his clients.