Moving to a new city or state and having to start over can bring a sense of lost connection. When my family left Indiana for North Carolina, I knew it would be the start of a new chapter. I didn’t expect it would be the start of my entrepreneurial journey!
I’d been a loyal client of Blo Blow Dry Bar in Indiana, always returning for the sense of confidence and community my appointments there gave me.
When I realized there wasn’t a location in my new city, the idea occurred to me: Maybe I can open one myself.
Franchise Model, Personal Touch
Thanks to relationships I’d formed in Indiana, I networked with other franchise owners and learned firsthand about the realities of entrepreneurship.
The franchise model appealed to me because it offered access to a wealth of resources, from employee training and corporate support to proven operational systems. I didn’t have to start from scratch.
Additionally, Blo Blow Dry Bar has brand recognition and clout within the industry. All this gave me the confidence to take the leap.
I soon learned those resources can only bring you so far! A franchise owner needs to roll up their sleeves and innovate on their end to secure business longevity.
For instance, after we opened in September 2023, an early challenge was to build visibility in the market. Even with a strong brand name behind me, I couldn’t count on word of mouth alone to attract customers.
It was up to me and my team to create local buzz and excitement about the new blow-dry bar in town — something no one else could do.
This meant identifying ways to create visibility, then executing them, then taking note of what worked for us. Two successful marketing strategies were: establishing partnerships with other local businesses, and putting up booths at community events.
Both required a willingness to make introductions, have conversations, and form connections.
Over time those efforts propelled my business from having a presence, to being recognized, to driving foot traffic. That gave us the chance to “seal the deal” by delivering quality experiences — creating repeat clients and referrals.
Lessons in Leadership
An important skill I learned early on was to identify which tasks to delegate and which needed my personal involvement.
Because I felt my biggest asset would be a trustworthy team of people invested in the business, I committed myself to driving the hiring process — reviewing résumés, conducting interviews, and onboarding with salon leaders.
I also make a point to be present on the floor from open to close, as a physical reminder of my commitment to my team and guests. It’s important for my team to see me working alongside them in the trenches.
Good leadership involves setting an example and showing that I won’t ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself.
Celebrating my team is an integral part of leadership as well, because loyalty is built when people feel seen, heard, and appreciated. That means acknowledging team members' hard work and commitment and rewarding them in large and small ways, from snacks and drinks to performance bonuses.
Such rewards not only boost team morale, but critically, show them that when the business succeeds, they benefit. They become willing to embrace the salon culture and to help grow the business.
My decision to open a Blo Blow Dry Bar was more than a career move. It’s been an opportunity to create a space in my new city like the one I’d left behind — a place where people feel confident, connected, and cared for.
It truly takes a village to be successful. Leaning into personal connections with my team, fellow franchisees, and the community I serve has made all the difference. When you focus on people first, growth will follow.
Tasha Hartman is the owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar in North Raleigh, NC.
