Salon owner Willy Millard welcomes Beauty Launchpad to U Salon in Kiel, WI.
Courtesy of Willy Millard
Willy Millard (@willy_millard) welcomes Beauty Launchpad to U Salon in Kiel, WI. Step inside the salon in our Savvy Salon column to learn more about how the salon got its start, what inspired its look/aesthetic and its signature products and services. Plus, Millard dives into his experiences in the industry and his advice for fellow salon owners.
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Willy Millard (@willy_millard) welcomes Beauty Launchpad to U Salon in Kiel, WI. Step inside the salon in our Savvy Salon column to learn more about how the salon got its start, what inspired its look/aesthetic and its signature products and services. Plus, Millard dives into his experiences in the industry and his advice for fellow salon owners.
The Backstory
My salon ownership journey began when I realized the vision I had for my clients' experiences were different from what I could provide in the spaces I first found myself working in. It was business and money first, with clients as afterthoughts. "My dream was to create a special place where the client in the chair was my first focus."Courtesy of Willy Millard
My dream was to create a special place where the client in the chair was my first focus. Since I couldn’t find that “feel” anywhere, I decided to make a change. That change meant taking a leap of faith and forging my own path forward, changing the industry from within, in my own small, unique way. That’s when 100% U Salon was born!
The Look
I wanted my space to reflect all things uniquely different. I want a client to walk in and always feel comfortable in the space. From the bright pink walls to the electric neon lights and my quirky personality behind the chair, I aim to bring fun and adventure to each service!
I always strive to make a client feel “100% U” from the beginning to end of their time in my chair, and leave them to re-enter their day feeling elevated and energized.
Signature Services
I am a color correction and vivid specialist, ready to design a look that fits the person in my chair. I put my bold sense of adventure and style to work, designing and delivering a “Yes, this is really me!” look each time someone sits in my chair. It’s an absolute joy!
From custom cuts and colors to coils and curly haircuts, gender affirming styles and ear piercings and restoring and protecting treatments, I am 100% committed to delivering the best service I can offer! It starts with a big and welcoming smile!
"I always look for the best products I feel are right for my clients, and I am not always dead set only on those or any one particular brand."Courtesy of Willy MillardThe Goods
I am a Redken- and Matrix-trained artist. While my color mainly comes from those lines, I always look for the best products I feel are right for my clients, and I am not always dead set only on those or any one particular brand. Rules are meant to be bent and broken!
My retail shelves also reflect that belief. I truly believe that when you leave the salon feeling 100% U, you should be able to recreate that look and feel at home. I also keep that in mind when I select products. While I don’t necessarily have a personal favorite brand, one of my favorite products that I always carry in my traveling pro kit is the Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray.
Social Butterfly
Yes, my salon is active, although I have not created separate accounts for my salon. I believe that the idea of two separate accounts, one personal and one business, doesn’t allow people to truly know who I am as a person and how I approach the world. I want people to know me when they come to sit in my chair.
I would like to create a bigger presence in the small town my salon calls home. I want to educate other stylists and help them escape the corporate world mindset of salons. I want to help the industry remove the dollar sign lens they look through, to really see the client and work their magic to make those special personalities shine!
How did you get your start in the industry? What made you want to be a hairstylist?
I owned a theater company in my teens that produced shows focused solely on teens and the hardships they face. After four seasons, I thought I wanted to be a playwright and worked on a degree to make that a reality. Right before starting classes, I took a tour of the cosmetology department at our local tech school with a friend. That’s when I had the “lightbulb” moment. I realized the dream I originally chased wasn’t the dream meant for me. After my tour, I decided to shift from on stage to behind stage. I decided my passion for theater creativity could be better channeled into the world of cosmetology.
What inspires you and your work behind the chair? "I work hard to make my salon a safe space, regardless of who you are, where you’re from or what you believe. Everyone deserves a place that makes them feel 100% U."Courtesy of Willy Millard
My inspiration comes from the person sitting in my chair. Getting to know them inside and out inspires how I create a look that makes their hair reflect who they are on the inside. I strive to make my clients feel like their true selves, so I have to get to know them and understand their backgrounds.
What challenges did you encounter (if any) when opening your salon? What have you learned from that experience?
I had a lot of self-doubt to overcome when opening my own space. Would people come to my new space? Would I be good at running a business? That self doubt melted away when my first client walked through the door. The smile and encouraging sentiments during that first service meant the world to me and is still something I hold near and dear. It gave me the confidence I needed then. Even now, each client gives me reason to feel fulfilled and inspired. It is wonderful!
What advice would you give a new salon owner?
You’re going to be afraid of making mistakes. Use that fear to your benefit because it means you care about your business and clients. Learn from mistakes, and take them in stride. Be prepared to stand up for what you believe in! It’s your space and business — don’t let anyone take that away from you.
I always return to this quote from Grandmother Willow for inspiration: “So small at first, then look how they grow, but somebody has to start them.” She's referring to the ripples in the water and being the change in the world. You might be the first, but you won’t be the last.
"My inspiration comes from the person sitting in my chair. Getting to know them inside and out inspires how I create a look that makes their hair reflect who they are on the inside."Courtesy of Willy MillardWhat makes your salon unique and stand out?
What makes me unique is that I focus solely on the client, not the money. I also focus on not only who my clients are when they come to my salon, but also on who they want to become when they leave.
How does your salon celebrate Pride Month?
Being a queer business owner myself, I don’t celebrate Pride one month a year. I choose to celebrate it all year long.
What are ways you make your salon inclusive to everyone who visits?
I work hard to make my salon a safe space, regardless of who you are, where you’re from or what you believe. Everyone deserves a place that makes them feel 100% U.
Are there any changes you would like to see the industry make or gaps that you think need to be filled to make queer folx (both clients and stylists) feel more welcomed/accepted?
Moving forward, I would love to see that beauty is truly “in the eye of the beholder." Don’t let social media and influencers dictate what is “beautiful." The imperfections in humanity should shine. It’s unfair to ourselves and our client to be held to such a high and unrealistic standard.
The idea of being put into a box as a gay stylist is a real and unwanted situation that happens. I would love my work and fellow queer artists' work to speak for itself. I'm much more than the box people put me in as a gay stylist. My work and my love for this industry is MORE than the sum of my being gay. There is a passion to what I do.
Look out, world – it’s Willy Millard, the stylist, ready to show you what I can do!
"My dream was to create a special place where the client in the chair was my first focus."Courtesy of Willy Millard
"I always look for the best products I feel are right for my clients, and I am not always dead set only on those or any one particular brand."Courtesy of Willy Millard
"I always look for the best products I feel are right for my clients, and I am not always dead set only on those or any one particular brand."Courtesy of Willy Millard
"I work hard to make my salon a safe space, regardless of who you are, where you’re from or what you believe. Everyone deserves a place that makes them feel 100% U."Courtesy of Willy Millard
"My inspiration comes from the person sitting in my chair. Getting to know them inside and out inspires how I create a look that makes their hair reflect who they are on the inside."Courtesy of Willy Millard
