Meet Matthew Dow

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matthew Dow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Matthew, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?

Communication looks different for everyone. It took me years of practice, trial and error, and self-reflection to learn how I give and receive communication.

As we know, the three main elements of communication are verbal, non-verbal and the actual words being communicated. In a world where the majority of communication is done via text, it becomes increasingly harder to get your point across without inadvertently offending someone.

It took years to realize that not everyone communicates the same way. We all hear, see and think differently for a reason. It’s what makes us unique. Love languages are love languages for a reason, and we all have our own. It’s extremely important to know your audience. Know who you’re talking to and what point you’re trying to get across. I have people in my life that are extremely to the point and blunt; whereas, on the other hand, I have people in my life that need a little more fluff and more sensitive approach. You have to be able to adjust your own communication style to effectively get your point across. I am the king of talking too much and over-sharing, but the reality is that not everyone cares, or wants to read/hear the long version of a story. Some people need bullet point details, and some people want to take a train, plane and automobile just to get to the point. Not everyone is going to want to read, or hear, all of that.

As far as how to receive communication; the best advice I can give is to take your ego out of it. Regardless of the topic, or feedback, not everyone communicates the same way. Recognize who you’re receiving the information from. Are they a delicate, emotional, blunt, or dry communicator? It’s important to understand that not everyone wishes you ill-will. It’s just the way they know how to communicate. That doesn’t make it right or wrong. Some of it is learned behavior. Some of it comes from emotion. Some of it comes from a lack of understanding the other person. It is not up to you to fix the way they communicate with everyone, but it is up to you to put boundaries in place for how YOU want to be communicated with; and stick to those boundaries.

I have spent a lot of time in therapy, listening to self-help podcasts, reading books, learning from leaders in communication, and failing to communicate properly to really learn how to get my point across with anyone. I pride myself on my ability to adjust my communication style to the person I’m communicating with. It doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent awareness you will start to see, hear and understand better with others and with yourself.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Ever since I was a little kid, I knew I loved all things beauty. Hair, makeup, skincare; the works. It was the ability to transform one’s physical and mental state in a short period of time.

I’ve spent my entire adult career in the beauty industry. It started with working for Aveda, to enrolling in their Cosmetology program and becoming a hairstylist and opening my own salon suite. As of this year, I went back to the Aveda Institute in Milwaukee, WI and got my Instructors License.

Educating others on the newest beauty products, and trends, has always been something I feel passionately about; and you can really tell when I speak about it. Last year I was voted #1 Best Hairstylist in Racine, WI. I firmly believe that it wouldn’t have happened without the support of my friends, family and, most importantly, my clients. The connection I have with my clients is unlike any other connection. My theory is “you don’t know what you don’t know”. The hair industry is constantly changing and evolving. I spend a lot of time educating my clients on what I’m doing to their hair and why. It’s important they know what you’re doing so they know what to expect and how to maintain it. I can’t tell you how many new clients I still get that don’t understand what a toner is or what it does. In this sense, I believe I’m over-educating. If someone wants to know and learn, they are going to be actively listening and retaining a lot of what you have to say.

My next goal is to work in education, in some capacity, with a brand. I’d love to be able to travel and speak to salons, and future hairstylists in beauty schools, about new and exciting products, trends, color, etc…

Of course, the ultimate goal is to expand my business and offer in-house education. I believe in stylists supporting stylists. I don’t hide my techniques or formulas from anyone. There’s enough hair in the world for all of us to work on and succeed with. I just really want to continue to grow my brand and see where life takes me. Who knows? I might have a hair care line one day. Living life in fear of “what if” is what holds so many people back, and I refuse. What if it doesn’t work out? Well…what if it does?

I believe in the power of manifestation, so I’d be a fool to not mention that my number one dream is to work with celebrities; specifically Hilary Duff and Demi Lovato.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three biggest key things that helped me in my journey were to never stop learning, accept that mistakes and errors will happen, and to have confidence.

In any industry, learning is endless. By nature, I’m not a person that can sit still too long. I need to constantly be focusing on the next thing, which is relevant to my personal and professional life. School, work in a salon, build a clientele, open a business, successfully run the business, etc… All those things require knowledge that isn’t inherently there. It takes time to get there and you can/will get there if you’re well equipped with the knowledge and tools to do so.

It is absolutely okay to make mistakes. That’s how you learn. If anyone says they’ve never made a mistake in their career, they’re lying. Even the best of the best have made mistakes. It’s not about being perfect 100% of the time. Even now, I will look at work I’ve done and think “I can do this differently next time”. It’s also about honesty. If you know you’ve made a mistake, don’t try and hide it. Take ownership and do what you can to fix it. If I’m not happy with someone I’ve done I’m someone’s hair; I won’t let them leave until I fix it. If I’m not happy with my work, how can I expect someone else to be? Now, that’s not to say any little thing deserves to be fixed because, let’s be honest, we are our own worst critic and not everyone sees things in the same way we do. However, that also doesn’t mean you should avoid having a conversation because you’re afraid someone will be mad at you. It’s better to make a mistake, take ownership and fix it before someone else points it out.

In that same breath, have confidence. Remember to tell yourself that you know your job better than anyone else. No one can do what you do. You’re one of a kind. If that means you have to fake it ‘til you make it; fake it, baby. I am one of those weirdos that loves to speak publicly. The way I see it is that my audience is just that…mine. They are coming to see ME, to learn from ME, to hear ME. I want to educate and they want to learn. The biggest reason people have a fear of public speaking is the fear they will mess up and be judged, when the reality is that no one is judging you the way you’re judging you. Even if you’re wrong, if you say it with confidence, people will believe you. That’s not to say go and passionately lie to people, but you understand. Guess what else? If you do mess up…who cares? The only thing worse than messing up is not acknowledging the mess up. I’m the type of person that, even in the most inappropriate time, will crack a lil jokey-joke. Make an awkward situation a funny one. It’ll make you feel better. It’ll show the audience you are confident and know what you’re talking about, even if you don’t necessarily feel that way. It’s a way to help take control of the audience and put the power in your hands; where it has been from the start. You have something important to say, so say it. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

One day I will give a TED Talk and it will be the best day of my entire life.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would LOVE to work under some of my favorite stylists in the industry. Not just to see their techniques, but also to see how they run such successful businesses. They’ve all created such strong brands that I am so inspired by. These are people I’ve looked up to my entire career and have created strong brands that people trust.

I am a day-one Kristin Ess girly. I started following her way back when she had a beauty blog with Lauren Conrad. She has truly been such an inspiration in all things from color, styling and creating a successful hair care line that is sold at Target and Ulta. I’d love to sit down and pick her brain for a week straight.

I feel the same about Nikki Lee, Riawna Capri, and Chris Appleton. All of which are celebrity stylists with extremely successful careers and product lines.

I recently took a class with Meg Hardee, aka @MerMegHair, at America’s Beauty Show in Chicago this year on painting rainbows; which she is the actual queen of. Meeting her afterwards was just the cherry on top. So full of light, and truly a walking rainbow herself. She is such a joy to watch on TikTok, as a stylist, salon owner and as a person. I’d love to just sit and talk to her about all things hair, business and life. What she’s done with her career and brand is truly inspirational, and to have seen it from its early stages to now has been such a joy.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All photos taken by me; Matthew Dow.

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