By Ben Austin
Staff Writer
A Houlton native has taken her childhood dream of becoming a hair dresser and turned it into a nationally ranked business in North Carolina.
Devon Murph, originally Devon Dow, 1992 graduate of Houlton High School, attended an awards ceremony in April after her upscale salon was chosen as one of the top 200 salons in the nation by Salon Today. This is the second consecutive year that It’s All About You Salon, Inc. was presented with this prestigious award.
Murph, the daughter of Gwen Dow of Houlton and the late David Dow, was always interested in the hair and beauty business, according to her mother.
“She knew she wanted to do hair way back in high school. She set her goals … and fortunately she went through with it. It worked out great and she loves it,” said Gwen Dow.
After graduating from HHS Murph moved on to receive an associate’s degree in business from Thomas College in 1996, and graduated from Maine State Academy of Hair Design in 1995.
Following her schooling, Murph moved to North Carolina to work for Salon Vogue for a year before opening It’s All About You with former classmate Dean Wike.
It’s All About You Salon moved to it’s current location in Concord in 2005, to a building that was once an older home, and now gives customers a warm, friendly place to obtain all their wants and needs. Murph’s salon is a full service Aveda concept salon, with a full line of Aveda products.
The salon is also well known for giving back to its community. In the past the salon has helped to support the Battered Women’s Shelter with meals at Thanksgiving, gifts at Christmas, and ice cream for children during summer months.
Although she now lives in North Carolina, the many family members and friends that Murph still has in the Houlton area are very supportive and extremely proud of her accomplishments with her business.
“I was very excited. I was kind of nervous for her coming into this industry. It’s always a challenge,” explained Dow.
Murphy current resides in Kannapolis with her husband, Jemal, and her daughter Aleah.