BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar is growing fast! So fast that I have to be everywhere at once and need access to every piece of information at my fingertips in order to make the right decision at a moment's notice. Whether as simple as an email or as serious as an employment contract, last month's numbers, or how many stylists / clients are at any given location at the moment, when I need it, I need it instantly!

Over the past year we've managed to build an unbelievable team of stylists, administrative staff and management to operate our locations, manage our corporate needs and work around the clock to foster our growth. I've grown up believing that you must lead by example and I truly believe I'm doing that every minute of every day with BLO/OUT.

I spend my days between locations, at meetings with management, stylists, investors, partners, working our social media, working our public relations, working with our human relations team, our trainers, our construction managers and anything else that requires my attention. I jump into front desk shifts whenever I can to continuously have my fingers on the pulse of the business and while organizing various events and promotions.

At the same time I'm working on our franchise operation which is about to go live, our upcoming sites which are currently under construction, and our new manufacturing operations through which we will distribute our very own brand of BLO/OUT products and tools. Given that I can't do all of that from a stationary office, my iPhone is my savior!

(my forehead is not that big!)

Let's take a random day as an example.

The day starts with a group text message from our Rittenhouse location's morning front desk staff informing everyone that she is running a bit late. Being that I'm a punctuality freak, this does not go over well. Since we use a group text app that includes all the staff at each particular location (GroupMe), I'm sure many people who were not expecting to wake up at 6:45am had a rude awakening!

GroupMe allows an entire location's team to communicate and coordinate without the need for a middle man. Need additional staff to come in and cover a sudden influx of clients? No problem. Want to switch a shift? No problem. Have a public service announcement for all? No problem!

After a few phone calls I check my email. I split my email between the default "Mail" app on the iPhone and the Gmail app. Priority emails go to my Mail app which I constantly check, while emails of less importance go to my Gmail app which I check periodically, based on my schedule.

I will then proceed to check in on our social networking portals which include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram...

I follow this up by taking a look at what's going on in our locations in real time through the use of my Samsung iPolis app through which I access our camera systems.

Once I'm comfortable with everything going on and have responded to all emails, social media notifications, and texts, I proceed to check in with my construction team via text for an update.

I receive an email requesting my review and approval of the graphic design for our new product line which I complete via email and save to my dropbox. I check in with our event coordinator and review the events calendar through the default Calendar app which I've synced with our BLO/OUT Events calendar. This allows me to stay on top of each and every wedding, group event, and on-location service which we've been booked to provide. 

I get a letter of intent from a realtor of ours for a new location I've been scouting. I review it, compare it with a recent LOI I've previously approved, save it in my Dropbox and confirm.

I access the app for BLO/OUT's booking and POS system and review the day's appointments, the previous day's financials, and our month-to-date operating results.

Another app which I often use is the Coin Flip app. Some decisions are just a coin flip away.

I open an email containing a franchise application from New Jersey, quickly review it and save it to the Google Drive folder we share with our franchise attorney for his review. 

Throughout the day I use the reminders app, the notes app and the Springpad app to prioritize through the digital memory tools which keep me focused on the tasks that need to be accomplished in the next few minutes or the next few months. 

And of course I always spend some time every few days to make sure that our proprietary BLO/OUT app is in good working order and is as user-friendly as possible. 

I've considered moving to an iPad but with my memory I'll just forget it somewhere. My phone is an extension of me and without it I'm naked! Just ask my fiance, she will tell you I can't go a minute without doing something on my iPhone!

So if you need me...

Yours,

Avi Shenkar

A Saturday like today exactly a year ago I ran into BLO/OUT Huntingdon Valley and asked the stylists to run the shop. That morning I unexpectedly lost my best friend, my biggest fan, my biggest motivator, my toughest client, my mother. My mother was the coolest person I knew and the reason I am who I am today.

The following weeks were the most difficult times of my life and the BLO/OUT staff helped save me. People that only knew me for a few weeks took care of my business while I was unable to do so, they showed up to the funeral, they ran the shop and they forced me to deal with my personal life while they took care of BLO/OUT. I am forever grateful for their help, support and care.

Three days short of a month after that morning I met the love of my life and the person that helped save me from becoming a complete mess. She is the best in "best year of my life". If it wasn't for her, BLO/OUT, my father, my sisters and my close friends I have no idea who I would be today.

Over the past year I was lucky enough to immerse myself in my business, my relationship and my social life and thankfully all have been beautiful. My business with the support of my love, my team, my investors, supporters, clients, and my family has grown and prospered beyond any expectations.

Where are we today?

Today we have two locations with our flagship Rittenhouse location servicing thousands of Philadelphia's beautiful ladies every month while our Huntingdon Valley location has grown, evolved and matured. We have three locations in development and opening within the next 60 - 90 days. We have accepted hundreds of franchise applications from all over the country and are preparing to open the franchise operation of BLO/OUT to the public. This past week we received approval for a deal with one of the largest real estate developers in the country that will help take us nationwide and make us a household name.

We have gotten local and national attention from the likes of CNN, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Examiner and many more. We have built a strong team that will lead us into the future and a client fan base that can't go without their weekly BLO/OUTs. We have brought on great investors that are as concerned with the business and it's development as I am.

We have made great friends, developed awesome partnerships and built a business and a team with a solid foundation. We've booked weddings near and far and have hosted events for the likes of Univesity of Pennsylvania's Women's Law Association.

This past week I turned down an offer that would have solidified our seven figure valuation, yeah that was a tough one. I think its too early, Im not ready to make drastic changes to our foundation. We've secured two locations that are going to be huge for the company and we've begun manufacturing our own products, tools and custom brushes that will be available to the public very soon. We've secured awesome investors to be a part of our future growth and awesome clients to motivate that growth.

This past year was just the beginning. I can't wait to get another year, two or ten under our belt and show the world what BLO/OUT is about.

Thank you everyone that has given us a chance, continues to frequent our establishments, supports us, invests in us both financialy and emotionally, my team, my family, our friends, and my best friend and love.

Yours,

Avi

The Spring 2013 NYC Fashion Week proved that you could take outdated hairstyles and modernize them, making them hot, trendy and sexy. The same can be said for BLO/OUT Blow dry Bar, a sleek salon that offers trendy styling; no cuts, no color, just blow outs. Women of all ages from prom queens to savvy & successful businesswomen are no longer looking for the classic Updo their mothers wore. The majority of our clientele at BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar are looking for big sexy loose curls “the Kim Kardashian look” as they refer to it.

Try a double Waterfall braid, maybe an awesome faux Mohawk for you next runway show or prom. Wearing your hair down these days is not “classless” it’s hot, trendy, and sexy. NYC Fashion Week stylists & prom queens alike prove that it’s okay to do a modern Farrah Faucett ‘do for whatever the occasion (Wedding, Prom, Night Out, etc.). High school girls going to prom this year please note: the boring bun does not have to be your last resort! 

Kristin F. 
BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar BLO/Lita
Kristin is a BLO/Lita with BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar and a formal hair specialist.

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and you’re still spending all your free time online browsing dating profiles! It’s time to update your online dating profile and wow the hordes of eligible bachelors out there ready to be your Valentine!

BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar is here to help! On Sunday February 3^rd, in association with Uber,
BLO/OUT is holding our 
Annual BLO/n Away for Valentines Day Event!

BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar Rittenhouse will have photographers on hand to take beautiful headshots of the updated you with your beautiful Do for your online dating profile!

Come in between 9am and 5pm on Sunday February 3^rd for a BLO/OUT and a Delicious Make Up Application by BLO/OUTs experienced BLO/Litas and your headshots are free of charge! Your photos will be emailed to you upon completion. Use your photo for your online dating profile, Facebook profile or LinkedIn!

BLO/OUT also partnered up with Uber, Everyone's Private Driver providing complimentary rides to and from BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar Rittenhouse and raffling off complimentary Uber rides for your Valentine's Day Date.

Uber, "everyone's private driver", would like to offer all attendees who are new users a complimentary ride up to $20 to or from the event with promo code PHILLYBLOOUT  Promo can be entered in app by tapping the icon in the upper left hand corner or visiting the promotions page when you sign into Uber.com.

Sans cut, sans color, BLO/OUT offers a wash, blow dry and hot style in a beautiful, chic, inviting atmosphere. From straight sleek to bouffant curl, BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar offers numerous styles, including up-do’s and glamorous braids. Their signature BLO/OUTs can be had at a low flat price of $35, making it an affordable luxury, and leaving women with no excuse for a bad hair day. 

Located at 1804 Chestnut Street across from Continental Mid-Town, BLO/OUT offers 3 floors of beautifying services along with champagne, margaritas, iPads, jewelry, spray tanning, private rooms, a roof top deck and Philadelphia’s best stylists! Open 7 days a week as early as 7am and as late as 9pm, you can throw away that shampoo at treat yourself to a wash/BLO/style anytime you like!

Also offering amazing scalp massages, BLO/licious Make-up and fabulous custom hair styles BLO/OUT is the perfect place to start a girls night out, weddings, showers and other events. Their BLO/Em’ Away services bring talented stylists to you!

No scissors, no chemicals, just heat-sculpted Head-turning style. The perfect finished look.   

BLO/OUT Huntingdon Valley was completely booked from morning to closing. BLO/OUT Rittenhouse was completely booked between noon and closing. Approximately 25 BLO/Litas were preparing for the craziest day they have ever experienced. 

That's exactly what they got!

Both location served hundreds of BLO/OUTs in one day... and everything went smoothly!

No technical difficulties, barely any crazy waits (a few clients waited more than I would ever like anyone to wait, but they totally understood and still loved their BLO/OUTs). Tons of BLO/Me Mosas were drunk, much of it ending up on the floor as well. Beautiful excited ladies all over the place getting ready to party the night away.

It was honestly one of the most awesome days I have ever experienced. So much great feedback, so many smiles, so much beautiful hair. We made it!

We could not have asked for a better welcoming party to Rittenhouse! Our team was awesome! Everyone worked their butts off pulling 12 hour shifts without a break! I could not be more proud of the BLO/OUT BLO/Litas and what we've built! 

It's a new year, let's make this a BLO/OUT year full of beautiful hair, happy clients and top notch customer service! 

Yours,

Avi & The BLO/OUT Family 

They are more hated than the Giants, more hated than taxes; they are the Philadelphia Parking Authority! The BLO/Litas at BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar believe that everyone deserves some love and a beautiful BLO/OUT!

That’s why on SUNDAY, JANUARY 13^th, 2013, PPA employees get FREE BLO/OUTs!

Being hated sucks! Walking around in the cold giving out tickets definitely sucks! BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar will help you be hated in style!

BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar introduces the newest concept in heat-sculpted styles to Rittenhouse. Sans cut, sans color, BLO/OUT offers a wash, blow dry and hot style in a beautiful, chic, inviting atmosphere. From straight sleek to bouffant curl, BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar offers numerous styles, including up-do’s and glamorous braids. Their signature BLO/OUTs can be had at a low flat price of $35, making it an affordable luxury, and leaving women with no excuse for a bad hair day. 

Located at 1804 Chestnut Street 2^nd Floor, across from Continental Mid-Town, BLO/OUT offers 3 floors of beautifying services along with champagne, margaritas, iPads, jewelry, spray tanning, private rooms, a roof top deck and Philadelphia’s best stylists! Open 7 days a week as early as 7am and as late as 9pm, you can throw away that shampoo and treat yourself to a wash/BLO/style anytime you like!

Contact: Avi Shenkar / Avi@BloOut.com / @BloOutBar / 215.305.8245

This morning at 7am our Rittenhouse location opened its doors and let the hordes of BLO/OUT deprived ladies come in and bask in all of its glory! :-)

 
After months of hard labor, stress, physical, mental and emotional breakdowns, it's open! With its large open spaces, super high ceilings, wainscoting, chandelier overload, iPads, BLO/Me Mosas, BLO/Me Ritas, Champagne, Doggie treats, tufted leather, the most awesome reception furniture ever, sky lights, and the coolest feature: the BLO/OUT Roof Top Deck, this place is unreal.

With the backing and support of some affluent Philadelphia investors including Raymond & Megan Giroux BLO/OUT is well on its way to taking over the Philadelphia area! Rittenhouse is open, we're negotiating Washington Square & University City all the while bringing on some of the Philadelphia's finest salon talent!

The past few months have been unreal! I have been working from early morning to early morning every day. I did however get to perfect my painting, caulking, and trim cutting abilities. I love construction and I helped the guys out as much as possible.

The stress of dealing with the current BLO/OUT location, staff (which thankfully has been pretty good due to my assistant manager and team!) , budgets, landlords, licenses, inspections, bills, bills, contractors, plumbers, bills, investors, etc… has been weighing down on me. Thankfully I love what I do, I love who I do it with, and I very much love those who support and motivate me.

So... last night we celebrated Christmas the only way we could, Chinese food, tequila, good friends and family. I had a great buzz going and it was an awesome time. 5am this morning I awoke, spent a few minutes cuddling with the love of my life, then a few more with my other love (my dog Cash), got dressed, walked the dog and headed down to Rittenhouse to open up to the public for the first time. 

The stylists came in early just as I was putting some finishing touches to the door, the music went on, the chatter began and we waited. About 3 hours into our day the phone started ringing, the door opened up and some lovely ladies came in, although they didn't get BLO/n they scheduled some future BLO/OUTs. Then a beautiful young lady came in and became our first Rittenhouse BLO/OUT! Upon completion she purchased a 20 BLO/OUT package! Yup, we're doing something right! 

Friends stopped by bearing gifts, clients called, appointments were made, tweaks and touch ups were done and we're all still working. I have to admit, all the hard work, long days, short nights and pain was worth it. What I built is beautiful to the eye and even more beautiful to the hair. 

Now on to more tweaks more fix ups more touch ups, our next locations and a huge deal in the works that will BLO this industry OUT of the water! 

Stop by when you get a chance and see what I'm talking about!

Yours,

Avi.

Or so I thought...

It's Saturday morning, my eyes naturally open up at around 8am and my first thought is "Oh shit! BLO/OUT opens in an hour, I need to get ready!" 

I look over to my right and smile seeing my girlfriend still sound asleep and Cash, my killer police trained Pomeranian sleeping on her head. Angelica (my girlfriend) has been waking up every morning this past week at around 6am and working all day into the late evening. Being that it's Saturday this was her first chance to sleep in and I did not want to disturb her. 

Then I realize; There is absolutely nothing for me to do at the shop today!
 

The front desk staff will open up and follow opening procedures, the BLO/litas will all come in on time and get ready for the crazy busy day we have, the coffee will be brewed, the music will be played, the clients will begin coming in and enjoying themselves, and the typical BLO/OUT banter will go on. 

So I lay in bed thinking about what else I need to do. The new BLO/OUT locations are well underway and there is nothing I can physically do on this beautiful Saturday to hurry it up or help in any way. I've spent the entire week playing negotiation ping pong, meeting with investors, working the financials, working on the new locations, talking to electricians, plumbers, construction guys, lawyers, accountants, landlords, realtors, etc...

What am I going to do today? 
 

So we plan on visiting the dog park with Cash but before that happens Angelica wants to get her nails done and take care of a few other errands she needs to get out of the way. So I'm left with about three hours worth of time to do nothing. I make myself some breakfast, drink some coffee, hang out with my father, go online and read the news. All that takes about 17 minutes and now I'm back to doing nothing!

OK, I have to at least show up at BLO/OUT! I mean it's Saturday, it's crazy busy, the girls must be running around like crazy, clients must be waiting, they probably don't have enough change in the cash drawer, maybe they're out of water for clients, products, etc...

I park my car and walk in to the shop. It's packed! Clients are getting BLO'n, the front desk is checking people in or out, the shampoo area is busy with clients getting massaged into a nap, music is playing, blow dryers are blowing, phones are ringing...

Everything is perfectly calm, collected and organized. Damn! 

The only thing I can do is take the trash out! Yes! I knew these girls couldn't handle it all! Looks like I couldn't handle that either, I got locked in the trash container area and had to climb the wall to get out. 
 

So trash is taken out, there is enough change in the cash drawer, clients are not waiting any more than 8 minutes, everything is stocked and the clients are all smiling and chatting away. I head back to my office (storage closet) and sit down at my computer and realize that I'm pretty useless here. 

So I begin writing this blog post.

I've realized that starting a business you know nothing about takes a lot of courage, motivation and ambition. It's also one of the only ways for you to be completely useless in your own business. I can't style hair, I can't even shampoo (they tried to teach me and it was an epic fail), I can work the front desk and sometimes do but I heard that clients prefer to be surrounded by women and not having me sit there. I know that if I was a hair stylist I would be in here all day working, I would run in if we were over booked or under staffed, I would take the clients that want a BLO/OUT prior to opening hours or after we close.

For the first time in my entrepreneurial life, I am not needed in my own business! It's kind of nice. 
 

The messed up part is that my mother had the complete opposite experience. She once owned a beautiful and large physical therapy practice and when a physical therapist shortage occurred in NJ she could not maintain the business because she herself was not a physical therapist. She had a problem I have never seen in business before. Tons of happy patients that did not want to go anywhere else but to her but a lack of service providers. Prior to that I "knew" that the hardest part of any business is getting the clients through the door, this was shocking to me. 

I do however have to say, if it wasn't for the team we have built here at BLO/OUT I would not be able to be so relaxed. I can't express how grateful I am to the BLO/OUT team! Every person I ever hired in any business I always wished they would care about the business and the clients as much as I do. That was never the case until BLO/OUT. 

Our team is not only the reason we are able to grow as quickly and efficiently as we are, they are also the main beneficiaries of our growth. When has anyone been promoted to Assistant Manager or Chief Stylist 4 months after starting their job?!?

Soon they will all move even further up the ladder here at BLO/OUT and everyone will realize that hard work, committment, sacrifice and caring for your co-workers and company pays off big time. 

So in closing,

being in a business you know nothing about and can't physically assist provides a freedom of sorts, the freedom to trust others and delegate.
 

Which I have never had. 

So here's to being self un-employed.

Cheers!

Avi.

I have a boss. You are my boss. Every team member, client and critic is my authority figure and my boss. I work for you! You have the power to fire me or promote me, kill me off or make me a success, pay me or not. 

I've always believed the key characteristic of the self employed is fearlessness, it might some times be stupidity but hopefully not. Every business I've ever started followed the same routine, idea, excitement, execution, learning. I've always operated under the motto of Ready! Fire! Aim! Some have succeeded, some failed but all taught me a lesson. Not everyone can allow themselves the risks I've allowed myself, the time, the effort or the financial investments. 

"It's really a transition; the blowdry has become the 21st-century version of a wash and set. It's the new beauty ritual, and it's going to be around for a long time."
http://phillystylemag.com/style/articles/the-blowout-boom#dxKxUCsodFrGt9KH.99

Therefore, I have built a system that allows everyone to be a business owner without the investments of time and effort. There is still a bit of risk but what would be the fun without the risk? 

I built BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar from the ground up and I can tell anyone who asks that this is absolutely my favorite business of all time! I love the industry, the people, the concept, the finances and most of all the clientele and their feedback. 

Running a blow dry bar is not easy. Dealing with the finances, operations, marketing, human resources, talent retention, client satisfaction, referral systems, organizational structure, government oversight, taxes, contracts, leases, partnerships, joint ventures, products, tools and a million other details. It is however lucrative, exciting, interesting, entertaining, and completely gratifying!

Given that this business is growing exponentially very quickly and has the potential to grow even faster I've developed a plan to allow anyone to be a part owner of any new BLO/OUT location. By selling shares of a specific BLO/OUT location I'm allowing individuals that would never venture on their own to build this type of business to be part owners of a growing organization with a strong structure, strong reputation and tremendous opportunity for further expansion. 

"Consumers are stretching out the time between haircuts and cutting back on higher-priced—and higher profit—services such as coloring and permanent straightening treatments, says Caitlin Moldvay, industry research analyst at market research firm IBISWorld"
The Wall Street Journal, September 28, 2011 

I've made it pretty simple and relatively cheap. Our investors are not asked to participate in any way other than spread the good word of BLO/OUT. We've built a successful prototype with our Huntingdon Valley location and now that we are venturing into the city of Philadelphia and other soon to be announced locations we are ready to give you a piece of us. 

BLO/OUT – Blow Dry Bar is offering per location ownership opportunities at a cost of $2,000.00 per share with a 5% minimum purchase. Each share equals 1.00% of the location specific corporation out of 100.00%. With 40.00% to be sold, the remaining 60.00% will be owned by Blo Out LLC the creator and driving force behind the concept and the operational partner responsible for 100% of the daily operations and the success of BLO/OUT. Investors are not required to participate in the creation, operation or management of BLO/OUT in any way. BLO/OUT will in no way require any contribution of time or effort of any investors. 

So obviously there is the financial aspect of owning a BLO/OUT Blow Dry Bar, we make money - you make money. We grow, you grow. We have a pretty modest goal here at BLO/OUT. We plan on establishing at least 5 locations before considering a franchise model or an exit. The popularity of our service along with its convenience can allow us to place a location every few blocks and still be successful. Our planned locations include Olde City, Center City (Liberty Place), Rittenhouse, University City, Main Line, Manayunk, Atlantic City NJ, Margate NJ, Sunny Isles FL, etc... 

We've had so much positive feedback and interest that we've wanted to open it up to the public and give every one of our fans a chance at ownership. Those of us in the beauty industry truly know the potential BLO/OUT has. 

"Drybar, the barely two-year-old "blow-dry-only" start-up, has closed a $16 million investment from Boston-based private equity fund Castanea Partners. Drybar broke even on sales of $1 million in its first 10 months, according to a 2011 Inc. profile"

So... The way I look at it is me giving you all my experience, my failures, my successes, my sleepless nights, my 18 hour days, my sweat, my tears, and my blood and letting it work for you. Does it get easier? 

We're obviously going to build these locations and grow one way or another but with this plan we're offering to take you with us! 

This is crowdfunding at its finest! Allowing anyone to own a share of you and your baby is scary, but then again I'm either fearless or stupid. Let's hope its not the latter. 

To setup a meeting or request a full prospectus email us at: IWantIn@BloOut.com

Yours,

Avi.
Founder 

Your knowledgeable and experienced BLO/lita examines your hair and discusses your needs and wants. You are then led into our vast shampoo room where your BLO/lita shampoos and conditions your hair all the while massaging your scalp using only the finest products. 

Your hair is BLO'n/OUT and styled and you leave BLO/OUT looking like a million bucks while only spending $35! You might have even grabbed some products to use at home and probably an awesome piece of jewelry. You then go on to tell all your friends about us and how much you love us! You might even take a minute to write us an email about how great we are and how you can't wait to come back. It does happen that some of those same beautiful ladies tell their friends that they just came from the most exclusive uber expensive salon :-)

As awesome and luxurious as coming into BLO/OUT is, nothing is better than not having to come in at all while still getting that stunning BLO/OUT in your own home or at your party or wedding!

The lucky ladies that have experienced the BLO/ME OUT (@ home or office) or the BLO/EM AWAY (events, parties, weddings) can't stop praising it!

Going to a salon to have your hair done is cool, having the salon come to you... that's LUXURY!

Our BLO/litas arrive at your home, office or event rocking the signature hot pink tie with blow dryer in hand and all necessary supplies and equipment ready to blow you out! 

Some our clients use the BLO/ME OUT service because they prefer to stay at home. Some because of a time crunch when preparing for an event. Others just prefer the comforts and convenience of having your hair styled without the trek to the BLO/OUT location. Whichever the reason, the service takes BLO/OUTs to a whole new level of luxury!

The BLO/OUT team has had the pleasure of doing weddings, parties, events and individual BLO/OUTs for many beautiful ladies around the Philadelphia area. 

Some of our regular @home clients earned an invite to our exclusive BLO/OUT Gold BLO/STAR membership which provides for reduced pricing, first priority service without an appointment along with complimentary BLO/OUTs and products. 

If you have never experienced the spoiling @home BLO/ME OUT service or our BLO/EM AWAY event services I urge you to give it a try and be privy to real luxury!

Yours,

Avi.