You would think that, with all the salons around town, you (and by “you” I mean “women”) could get a fast, affordable and long-lasting blowout.
According to September Sirico, you would be wrong.
A Westport native and “beauty industry veteran,” she recently opened Dry, A Blow Dry Bar. (The capital letters are correct. That’s the full name. It’s got a comma, just like a law firm.)
Like any good entrepreneur, September saw a problem. Actually, 2. Blowouts rarely kept their fresh luster for more than a day. Plus, they cost a ton.
September Sirico
She trained all her stylists in “Blow, the New York Blow Dry Bar signature blowout techniques.” In addition, the salon offers “chic updos, braids, hair extensions, makeup, lashes and more.” (Don’t quiz me on that. It comes straight from a press release.)
Also, though, like any good entrepreneur September had to overcome obstacles. She approached local banks that had relationships with Greg & Tony — a salon her family owns. Despite her perfect credit rating — and her long community involvement, like the governing board of Levitt Pavilion and volunteering for Near & Far Aid — all said no.
“I was asking for money for start-up that had nothing to do with Greg & Tony. These banks just wouldn’t fund a start-up,” she says.
This winter she cashed in her life insurance policy, and emptied her savings account. She also asked her parents to invest.
“That was hard,” she admits. “They’re thinking about retiring and slowing down. But they believed in the concept.”
Her Staples High School friends helped too. They were there every step of the way, offering both emotional and practical help.
Lindsay Francis researched blow dry bars, made calls, sat in on meeting with architects and builders, and gave feedback on logos.
Amy Scarella helped design the space, and ran errands.
Jennie Bedusa proofed website copy, and went to Los Angeles with September to study blow dry bars.
Dan Armitage made all the countertops. Mark Conte — who knew September’s husband at Fairfield Prep — created a huge chalkboard for the salon.
Family friend (and realtor) Steve Crowley added much-needed moral support.
A Google Images search for “blow dry” turned this up. Impressive.
Dry, A Blow Dry Bar is now open at 3397 Post Road in Southport. I could go on and on about how “clients can create their own signature style,” or take advantage of “facial waxing, lash tint and lash application, makeup applications and decadent head massages called ‘Floaters.'”
I could, but I’d have no idea what I was talking about.
You’ll just have to see for yourself.
And by “you” I mean, of course, “women.”
SERIOUSLY!…….
SERIOUSLY!…..
You know what? I know this sounds ridiculous but this is the BEST news I’ve heard in a long time. WELCOME!
I will be visiting Southport in Aug. & sure will try this place. What a great idea!!!!
Bev Breault
I guess there’s an upside to turning sixty going bald and shaving off what was left. I hadn’t figured it out until you wrote this article. Thanks again Dan!!!!!
Sounds like a wonderful concept!
Just an FYI…. I don’t know about the total US of A but in L.A. And in NYC these type of “Blow Out Salons” are hugely popular and profitable… But they have the numbers and the happenings to make them either relevant or needed…. I do hope this venture is a successful one for this young lady. Best of luck.
GOOD LUCK SEPTEMBER, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
Sounds so exciting!!!
a tip to keep a blow out lasting longer than one night’s sleep: pony tail as tight and as high on top of your head as possible using 2 tight elastics; then twist the pony tail into a tight bun and clip with curved clips. this keeps your hair closer to as it looked during 1st day of blow out than any other strategy i’ve been told (other than to do the blow outs daily).
That’s totally,half wrong! you want to loosely tie it up in a bun and with a stretched out elastic wrap it twice or a loose scrunchie so it doesn’t crimp the hair by tying it too tight. I’m a hairstylist and this is my trick to tell my clients
The name of the salon sure does catch your eye. Makes you go back and look a second time.
Then, you realize it’s about hair.
I thought it was another Massage joint!
Muchos Gracias for your blog.Really thank you! Really Great.