Saddle Up and Enjoy the Ride! How Matty Larrabee Has Grown his Business to 250 Clients Per Month
Matty Larrabee, is a small business owner and hairdresser based out of Denver Colorado. Read this blog to learn how he grew his business to 250 clients per month in eleven short months, weathering a pandemic and defying the odds.
As a young girl, there was nothing, I loved more than a good Barbie doll. Barbie dream house, Barbie Porsche, Barbie camper, I could go on, I had them all. Always a bit obsessive, some nights, I would stay up all night. Sleep-deprived, I played with dolls until I dropped. No one respects Barbie-like I do. Well, Barbie has grown up. And she is relaxed, stoner chic, painted with tattoos, and a Colorado babe. Mattyboy Hair Co keeps his “adult” Barbie posted up in his hair salon on the 16th Street Mall downtown Denver, Colorado. She embodies his ideal client Matty Larrabee he says. Laid back, chill, with a “stoner vibe.” A woman who loves hiking is low maintenance, and shops at Urban Outfitters or Free People. Matty himself seems like a free spirit as well. Eleven months ago, he started his own small business as a hairstylist who specializes in balayage and hair treatments. During a pandemic, with little of his clientele, Matty pulled the trigger and decided to build a successful hairstylist business in the heart of Downtown Denver. His mission is to provide his clients with gorgeous, stylish hair, and a luxury experience, and a friend in him. He cares deeply about his clients as humans and individuals. An introvert naturally, during his work hours Matty can shift his energy to absorb his clients’ as they share their lives with him, forming truly authentic relationships with him. As I interview him for this week’s Denver Spotlight feature, we joke about how easy it is to have deep conversations with your hairstylist. They are more like “hairapists” he says, and I laugh because this is incredibly true! Who does not become fast friends with their hairstylist? I know I have.
Matty is a Colorado native who loves astrology. The services his business offers include balayage, haircuts, he specializes in blonde coloring, and hand-tied extensions. More comfortable than traditional extensions that anyone can wear. They lie closer to the scalp and therefore women tend to get these types of extensions for volume, not length. His mantra is “good hair, good mood, and good day.” Low maintenance or not, all women can relate to this quote on some level. He preaches for good hair treatments and swears by them. He is an expert in this area. Glazes, leaf flower and CBD oil, K18 add-ons, Redken ABC, deep conditioning, he keeps his clients’ hair not only looking fantastic, but healthy as well. Matty also offers traditional highlights, all-over coloring, and blowouts. He always knew he wanted to own his own business yet with the COVID-19 outbreak and a small list of clients, the odds were stacked against him that his business would last a year. Next month, despite the adversity, Matty will be celebrating one year as a business owner.
Not only is he still standing, but last month he had over 250 clients! Matty was smart about asking for assistance. It can be intimidating and humbling to have to ask another person for help. Especially when it comes to business. However, it can mean the difference between a successful company and one that flops. Repeatedly, as I interview small business owners, I am reminded that mentorship and coaching programs are immensely important. Britt Seva, the owner of a professional coaching group called Thrivers Society, gave Matty the foundational knowledge that he needed to build a solid first year for his hairstylist business. On their website, they claim that they are “the place where stylists transform their careers.” It is a coaching program by stylists for stylists. Matty raves about the program and credits it for his success. He says that Britt is revolutionizing the industry, mentoring thousands of stylists, and driving the industry forward with positive changes. She has assisted in changing how stylists operate salons from adding in cancelation policies to no-show fees, to how stylists book their appointments Britt has been life-changing in Matty’s career. He learned how to identify his target audience, ideal client, and set him on a path for success. Matty’s advice to other small business owners is to be yourself, resilience comes from within. Saddle up and enjoy the ride!
Matty typically markets his business through his Google Business account, which has a 4.9-star rating! Michelle from Denver writes “like most women, I am busy AF. So, if I am going to take the time to get my hair done, I need to love my stylist and my hair. Matty not only slays my color and extensions, but he is also a fun, sweet, funny, and overall awesome human being to spend time with. If you want great hair and a down-to-earth stylist, Matty is your man!” This is one of many testimonials from his happy clientele. Matty also markets through Facebook and Instagram (you can follow him by clicking the links.) While he does occasionally offer Groupons to get new clients into his chair, Matty’s goal is to get clients willing to pay full price for his services, as they are exceptional and worth every penny. He has stayed busy and only accepts appointments through booking online. You can book with him on his website here.
Five years from now he hopes to have a steady stream of loyal clientele, family to him. Although his goal is not to become the largest salon in town, he would like his own space and growing/expanding family. The journey has been a fun ride for Matty and starting his own business has been his greatest accomplishment thus far. I always ask my interviewees what they think will help improve the Colorado community. They are free to interpret and answer that question from whatever context they choose. Matty, who has been lighthearted up until this point, gets serious for a moment. Like myself, Matty was raised in Colorado, so he has seen it change over the years. Matty recommends that “compassion” comes back into style. There is a large homeless problem in Colorado. The Denver Post recently wrote that “Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s administration is clearing out homeless encampments at a much faster rate than last year” and some attribute it to upcoming events that are taking place in the metro area. The homeless population is shuffled from location to location, the root of the problem barely being scratched, and the issue needs attention. Matty recalls that people in Denver used to be a lot nicer and friendlier. Over time, as the population has mushroomed, people seem colder/more entitled than they used to be, according to Matty. He feels that if we could all show a little more compassion for one another, this world would be a safer, healthier place for everyone. Often there is a real lack of compassion for the homeless population. There need to be more resources, more understanding, and less criminalization. It is a tough cycle to get out of, once you are in it. People often need help to claw their ways out of the jaws of homelessness. Matty has a big heart and cares deeply for other people.
He enjoys hiking and is a dog dad to a pointer/cattle dog mix, Barry. Full of energy, his year and a half old puppy is intelligent and sometimes comes to work with him. Traveling and spending time with his family and friends is how Matty spends his free time. He is always “down for an adventure!” That is certain! With positive vibes coating his soul, Matty treats all his clients like friends, because they are. He promises to always be there for them if needed. If they are experiencing a crisis, need help, or whatever the situation is, Matty is more than your hairstylist, he is a good person. Inspired by his story, intrigued by his hair treatments, and in desperate need of some hair love myself, this is Sarah signing off. I am going to book my next hair appointment with Matty today! You may want to do the same. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or visit the website here to book an appointment. Take care and happy marketing to YOU!
