Tribe: The Real Matthew Ryan Thompson
Matthew Ryan Thompson lives in Ohio and is currently the director of education and presentation for Color WoW. When I first met MRT he exuded positivity, creativity and professionalism. We met in a similar circle of educators and right away he stood out. Following him on Facebook and Instagram, I watched as his career took off, I knew he was going places. He was always working hard, teaching classes and posting what he was up to. Well today that same guy is doing amazing things and he is as big of a deal as I had always thought! I am proud to show you who the real MRT is and I hope that he will inspire you as much as he inspires me.
HP: What do you love about your job?
MRT: I absolutely love the travel and the opportunity of meeting and inspiring and being inspired by salon stylists and industry leaders everyday. As a director and educator, learning is the key to success and leadership.
HP: What sets Color WoW apart from other color brands?
MRT: Color WoW is a brand that was built upon needs based approach to product development , which starts by identifying the frustrating unmet beauty problems and results in first-of-a-kind, efficacious solutions. Science is a HUGE part of what we do as we have a chemist on site at ALL times. It is very rare to be able to chat with and learn from the chemist that mixes and blends your products. With Color WoW, its our secret weapon. Dr. Joe is on hand at all times.Our products our clinically proven to change your hair after usage. I think that is pretty cool! It makes me feel like I am a “Doctor of Style”.
HP: What inspires you?
MRT: Travel and the feeling of vulnerability. I know that sounds weird but let me explain. My career is travel and venture. I travel 4-7 days out of a week educating, detailing, training stylists and writing lesson plans. Being vulnerable and open allows me to really listen to a person and their want to better themselves and their career. I fly to a city, hop into a car of someone I don't know which requires me to talk to them. Get to know them and the state and city or “background’ they come from. Being a stranger is a privilege to me. It makes a person have to communicate with others to get from point a to point b. I also love seeing all of the architecture and beauty cities have to offer. It adds to my style and color elements. I am a people watcher. I love to grab a coffee or cocktail and watch people in their natural habitat, element and comfort zone. One of my biggest heroes was and still is the late fashion photog, Bill Cunningham. He would shoot complete strangers on the streets who's fashion inspired him and publish it for the rest of the world to see as a template of what is trending or what is to come. Fashion trending is one of my most prized habits and passions. As is fashion and photogaphy.
HP: What's your absolute favorite part of our industry?
MRT: Stylists. I love stylists. I love how different we all are. I love that I can sit down with an artist/stylist and leave our conversation having learned something just by chatting or watching a demo. We are so fortunate to be able to do what we do. Being a “sponge” and allowing myself to learn and to be inspired is a huge bonus for me. Not many people are inspired through their jobs…
What's a fun fact about you that not a lot of people would know? Hmmmm.. that is a tough question. I think a fun fact about me is that I have been a trained tap dancer for almost 20 years. I have competed in competitions all over the US which led to me entering into the musical theatre business and public speaking.
EXCERPT:
When I first met MRT he exuded positivity, creativity and professionalism. We met in a similar circle of educators and right away he stood out. Following him on Facebook and Instagram, I watched as his career took off, I knew he was going places.