So What Actually Makes a Blow Dry Bar Different Than a Traditional Salon?

So yes, BLO/OUT is a Blow Dry Bar and not a traditional full service salon. What is the difference you wonder? Your salon gives you blow outs, why should you consider checking out BLO/OUT? 

Not being in the hair styling industry has really been an advantage for myself and BLO/OUT when I put the idea together and planned the services, prices and atmosphere. In this post I will break down each of these items and what my thought process is behind each detail. I have learned something new everyday being in the shop (I hate calling it a salon, it's not a salon, it's our shop, our spot, the bar, etc...). 

Let start with services:

The services we offer are exclusive to styling with the addition of convenience, ease, flexibility and obviously client satisfaction. Since we don't take ourselves too seriously, we figured we wouldn't offer any serious services such as cutting or coloring, at least not yet. Everyone cuts, colors, blow dry's, treats, styles, blah blah blah... we took the finishing product and made sure our stylists perfect it. I'm sure our stylists can cut and color as well, and they do at other places, at BLO/OUT I want them to perfect their, well... blow outs. Although it's true that without a proper cut and color your hair might not be at 100% but at any moments notice, you can still walk in to BLO/OUT and walk out feeling and looking like a million bucks!

Even our more serious services are not that serious! Instead of doing a serious Keratin treatment or a Brazilian Blow Out, we chose to go with the less damaging, less serious, shorter lasting Keratin Complex Express. Lasting 4-6 weeks instead of 4-6 months, costing way less than traditional salon prices and available at a moments notice is how we roll. 

I hate the feeling of arrogance and entitlement that you see and feel at a traditional high end salon where waiting is an "honor" and paying ridiculous amounts for a blow out is considered acceptable! That shits cray! I never realized what anxiety felt like until I was under staffed and had a line of clients waiting on a busy saturday. My goal at BLO/OUT is to limit any wait to 10-15 minutes max even though you do not need an appointment! 

Next let's look at our prices:

Our prices are standard in the Blow Dry Bar industry, not so standard in the traditional salon industry. I've seen salons charge close to twice our price for a blow out post a cut that would have been rated "Blah" atBLO/OUT! Our most traditional styles are priced at a flat rate of $35. If clients have unusually long and/or thick hair and require significantly more time to blow out than regularly, they will be made aware that an additional charge is required for future visits (usually $45). Funny thing is that these same clients are already aware of this because they were charged double previously at their salons. 

Now our prices are standard and do not change to often, however coming in with pictures of styles that require up-do's, braids, or serious flat ironing and look nothing like our standard styles means you have to pay for a custom BLO/OUT ($55), if for some reason you believe a traditional salon would provide that same styling for less, please show me! 

I'm totally against any sort of price gauging! My stylists complained that we do not charge enough for wedding services. What makes a bridesmaid or a bride any different than any other client walking into BLO/OUT? Just because everyone else believes it's OK to add a "Wedding Premium" to their prices does not mean I will do it! I plan on getting married one day and I'm not OK with getting ripped off just because it's accepted. So our brides, bridesmaids and family members paid the same $65 for an Up-do as a high school graduate does.

I've heard from some that our prices are too high and they pay $20 for their blow outs. I challenge all that feel that way to a duel of blow outs! Using blow dryers instead of guns, we will hold a judging event with your $20 blow out and our $35 blow out. 

Finally let's discuss our atmosphere:

If you have ever been at BLO/OUT you're more familiar with our atmosphere. Our music plays loudly (usually something upbeat and energetic), our BLO/litas speak freely, cocktails are being sipped on, I recommend styles, compliment great work and curse a whole lot. We play pranks on each other, we have open & honest conversations with our clients and there is not an iota of ignorance, arrogance or entitlement in the air! 

We treat our team and clients like family and satisfaction is always guaranteed! 

One thing we haven't discussed is quality:

Quality is so important to us! We want to make sure every BLO/OUT client is thrilled with their style and is excited to show it off! We have received unbelievable feedback from our clients and we're super proud of our BLO/litas and their awesome talents. 

Word of our quality has gotten far and wide. The Four Seasons Hotel just got in touch with us regarding sending our BLO/litas to style their guests!

Some examples of this are: 

Recently a client got an up-do at BLO/OUT and then went to a local high end salon for make up (we'll call the place "Green"). The makeup artist asked if the client just had their hair done at the salon and when the client responded that she had it done at BLO/OUT the makeup artist was shocked! She was in awe of the up-do and said she heard great things about us! 

Another cool example is a personal one, my beautiful girlfriend who has been very wary of betraying her stylist and never had her hair BLO/n OUT with us finally gave in when she was in a rush to make it to a graduation. She loved the result! When a friend saw pictures of the graduation I received a text asking whether she had her hair done at BLO/OUT. When I confirmed that she did in fact, my friend responded with "I knew it! Her hair looks awesome!". When someone can recognize BLO/OUT quality hair styling, I'm a proud business owner! 

Recently I noticed a client sitting in her chair getting BLO/n, her eyes were closed and she looked like she was thoroughly enjoying the experience. Upon completion and her being flabbergasted at the quality look and feel of her hair, she immediately booked BLO/OUT for her wedding! 

So there you have it, what makes BLO/OUT different. I'm sure there are many more things that differntiate us from the rest but these are the ones that come to mind. 

Yours,

Avi.

Comments

[Kim Hubbard]

Feel very jealous that you do not have a location in Atlanta or in South Carolina.

[Blo/Out Blow Dry Bar]

We'll get there I promise!