Don Elwood's career spans 35 years as an award winning hairstylist, a top platform educator for Wella Corporation and a training director for City Looks, Barbers and Cost Cutters Inc. In Minneapolis and now as a top salon owner here in Lacrosse, Wisconsin at Salon Medusa.

Don Elwood has chosen to live the good life here in Lacrosse with his wife Vicki after 9/11 and to be near their families.Together they also operate

 The Muse Theatre, which they both founded in 2008. Don owned and operated Salon Medusa downtown Lacrosse for 15 years and has recently relocated the business to the building which houses The Muse Theatre on 1353 Avon Street. This building was lovingly restored by Don and Vicki Elwood for 6 years.

In 2010 they were awarded the Best Readapted Use of an historic building by Preservation Alliance of Lacrosse.

 

In the beginning of his career in Minneapolis Don Elwood trained with Horst of Aveda, Jon English &David Wagner of Juut.

 His business mentors were Rick Goldberg, Michael Cole & Joe Francis. Don Elwood was awarded Best Manager of the year by Barbers Inc. Next he was recruited to Training Director and Operations Manager. During that time he built a team of trainers for the company and put the business into the black.

 

But Don and his wife Vicki longed for the bright lights of New York and so they moved to Manhattan and Don joined Beth and Carmine Minardi at their famed hair salon- Minardi Minardi in the 80's. Beth is one of the leading hair colorists in the world and their client roster included Elizabeth Taylor, Fran Leibowitz and the elite of New York's Upper East Side. Don was soon recruited by  Pierre Michel Salon at Trump Tower  to became the salon manager. The Pierre Michel Salon catered to the Social Register of New York. Clients included socialites C.Z. Guest, Doris Duke, Margaux and Mariel Hemmingway.

 

During the 90's Don worked at the bustling Saks Fifth Avenue Salon directly across from 30 Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan. Stylists at this salon were the official consultants for all NBC anchors and correspondents that were employed by NBC and ABC News Department. Regulars included Diane Sawyer and Elizabeth Vargas. Saks Fifth Avenue Salon is also a long time favorite of Hollywood and Broadway's best such as Lauren Bacall, Elaine Stritch ,Cyd Charisse, Janet Leigh & Ann Reinking.

 

Because of Don's expertise in hairstyling he was recruited to be to be a top platform educator for Wella Corporation and for many years he travelled to every major city in the United States teaching advanced hair coloring techniques and soon became known as one of the most dynamic motivational speakers and edcators on the circuit. Don was requested to be a consultant for Peter Coppolla's on Madison Avenue, next to legendary hair colorist Sharon Dorram and stylist to the stars-Sally Hershberger. Their regular clients included Meg Ryan, Jane Pauley&Barbra Streisand.

 

While in Manhattan Don worked behind the stage at designer fashion shows held at the infamous Waldorf Astoria. He had the pleasure of working with Randolph Duke for Halston, Donna Karan and Badgley and Mischka.