In 2009, professional hairstylist Alli Webb founded the blowdry service Straight-at-Home and went house-to-house giving clients at-home blowouts. As Straight-at-Home’s popularity increased, she recognized that there was a gap in the market for affordable blowouts.
“That’s when the idea for a brick-and-mortar blowout-only shop started percolating for me,” she recalls, “I went to my brother, Michael Landau, and husband, Cameron Webb, and wanted their help and support. Despite the fact that they are both bald, they got it and were in!”
The team started Drybar later that year, and now they’ve expanded to 100 salons and counting, created a product line and Alli Webb has even written the book on mastering the perfect blowout. Forbes reported that Drybar was expected to reach $100 million in revenue in 2016. (A spokesperson declined to comment on the current revenue.) I spoke to Alli Webb about her career advice and how she and her team turned Drybar into a profitable business one blowout at a time.
What has been the biggest challenge and, on the flip side, the biggest reward of starting Drybar?
One of the biggest challenges has been how to maintain the same level of client service at 100 locations that we had at 10. It’s really hard. And is what keeps me up at night.
Hands down, the biggest reward of this business for me is the people — the millions of women we help look and feel beautiful and confident each week. I’m also over-the-moon crazy proud to be employing over 3,000 people!
What advice do you have for other women who hope to start their own businesses?
Recognize your strengths and bring in people who know things you don’t. It sounds simple, but my best advice is to know you can’t possibly do it all. You can’t be good at everything. You need help from people you respect and trust.
What are your responsibilities as cofounder of Drybar?
My main responsibilities lie in product development, press, social media and customer service.
You’ve attributed some of Drybar’s success to the fact that it is family-run. What are some of the benefits of running a business with your family?
It’s all about trust and respect. We each have very specific and different skill sets and, for the most part, we stay in our lane and allow each other to shine in our respective roles. There is an inherent trust that really helps alleviate a lot of insecurities and typical B.S.
What has been the largest learning curve as Drybar has scaled globally?
I think the biggest learning curve is how hard it can be to find great, hardworking people. We have a ton of fantastic people, but it is hard to keep up with rigorous demands of our growth. We have opened more than 100 shops, and it takes a lot of people to maintain the consistency and level of customer service we expect.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned at work, and how did you learn it?
There are a lot, but I’d say some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned are to trust things will work out and to not let every single thing get to me. I’ve also learned to take the good with the bad. Nothing is ever going to be perfect.
What is one thing that you wish you had known when you were starting out your career?
I wish I had the confidence that I have now, then, but I have no regrets!
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be very open and receptive to feedback. It’s incredibly crucial to your success professionally and personally.
What is your business advice for other young professional women?
There are going to be great days and terrible days. Embrace both!
Photo courtesy of Drybar/Alli Webb.
