In a recent episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Vanessa Yakobson, CEO of Blo Blow Dry Bar, shared insights into the franchise growth strategies that have helped her company expand from a single acquisition to a full-fledged beauty franchise platform. Although Vanessa was not the original founder, her leadership has guided Blo Blow Dry Bar from its early days as a Canadian startup to a North American brand with nearly 120 locations. Today, Blo has added other beauty brands like Lashkind and Lash Bar to its portfolio, creating a multifaceted platform focused on supporting emerging franchisors in the beauty and wellness space.
Vanessa’s journey in franchising started with children’s hair salons, where she and her husband discovered the complexities and potential of franchise growth. After acquiring Blo Blow Dry Bar in 2009, Vanessa and her team transformed it from a small chain in Vancouver into a scalable, supportive franchise model. They’ve applied this expertise to acquire and grow complementary beauty brands, merging operational best practices to streamline franchisee support across all brands.
One of Vanessa’s key insights is her commitment to “grow responsibly.” She emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, stating that franchisors should focus on building strong systems and staff support before pursuing rapid expansion. Her platform also benefits from a strategic partnership with New Spring Capital, a private equity firm that provides both financial backing and industry expertise, ensuring Blo’s continued growth without compromising its core values.
With a focus on franchisee satisfaction, proven concepts, and operational excellence, Vanessa Yakobson’s vision for Blo Blow Dry Bar is setting a standard for emerging franchise platforms. Her story underscores the power of a thoughtful, customer-centric approach to franchising that prioritizes sustainable, long-term growth.
February 7, 2025
