The Blo/Out Grand Opening Party Was Awesome...Someone Was Missing.
On Friday the 13th we celebrated our Grand opening (although we have been open since March 4th). We figured we deserve a big ass party with lots of drinks, music, funny pictures and all the people we love. Almost all.
The party was also the venue for the first episode of BLO/OFF // A Stylist Elimination Reality Show. The show went great, not without hitches and errors, but was definitely fun, entertaining and productive since it yielded us an awesome new Blolita: Heather!
In the last minute we decided to bring in a ShutterBooth photo booth with all kinds of silly items to have fun with while being photographed, that thing was a total success! Everyone loved the pictures and as the drinks kept flowing, the pictures got better and better.
The party was MC'd by our absolute favorite DJ Jonathan Silva (Resident DJ at Chelsea Hotel, Zee Bar, G Lounge, etc...). The music was unreal, the dancing was fun and funny at some point. The Blood Orange Blo/Me Mosas were being consumed quicker than we were making them. The food provided by Arugula Ristorante next door was absolutely delicious! The young male models we had serving the food were fun and handled all the mental undressings they were getting from all the women around very well.
Our unbelievable team of Blolitas who worked their asses off were able to raise a total of $920 for The Healing Consciousness Foundation! The selflessness of every member of our team is beyond awesome! We stayed late cleaning, drinking and then went on to our seperate after parties.
Everyone who I've spoken to said the party was great and they had an awesome time, that was all we wanted to do!
Although I don't remember much about the later part of that night I do remember my anger. Throughout the party although having a great time, laughing, hosting the BLO/OFF episode and socializing, I was angry. Strange right? I'm not an angry person and never have been, I'm usually the leading spokesperson for the "I Don't Give a Fuck" club.
Why was I angry? Let's get personal.
On March 24th of this year, exactly a month ago yesterday, I lost my mother and best friend. My mother passed away abruptly without any prior notice. I'm very comfortable with the circle of life and the fact that we are born, live as much as we can, do as much good as we can, and finally die. My mom was cool as hell, she was Blo/Out's biggest fan and one of our most frequent client. She definitely was an awkward immigrant and it was visible in some of her actions and comments, but she was funny.
On Friday the 13th I was angry that the woman that supported me from day one of every single venture I've ever endeavored on, was missing the best party yet. I finally built a business she can take advantage of and she is no longer here to enjoy it.
I'm angry everyday that she no longer comes in to grab a cup coffee and have a cigarette outside or criticize the stylists auditioning for a position with Blo/Out on Monday nights.
I know Anna Shenkar was excited to see women walking out of Blo/Out looking beautiful, hear women talking about it at dinner, and receive the random calls telling her about how great an idea it is and how awesome some woman's hair looked. She was proud.
So the party was awesome, I was angry and that's that. I don't mean to be depressing, just figured I'll share with all of you.
I will continue to work my ass off to make sure we provide the best quality, best service and the best atmosphere at every Blo/Out location we operate. I know my mother would be pissed if I didn't.
For pictures of the party check out the Gallery or our Facebook Album
Yours,
Avi Shenkar
BLO/OFF, Blo Out, Blo/Out, Blolita, Blow Dry Bar, DJ Jonathan Silva, Mother, ceremony, grand opening, mom, party, personal | in Blo/Out