Biography of Alli Webb: Founder & CEO of Drybar -Entrepreneur
Biography of Alli Webb:
Early Life and the Spark for Fashion
Alli Webb’s journey to becoming a business mogul began with
a strong interest in fashion. Growing up, she was exposed to the world of
clothing through her parents’ clothing business, which sparked her curiosity.
After completing high school, she attended Florida State University but soon
realized her calling was elsewhere. She moved to New York City, where she
worked with renowned fashion designer Nicole Miller, a decision that steered
her toward a career in the fashion industry.
Transitioning to Hairstyling
While in New York, Webb shifted her focus from fashion to
hairstyling. She joined the prestigious Toni & Guy Academy, a renowned
place for hairdressing training. Under the mentorship of celebrity stylist John
Sahag, known for his signature dry-cut technique, Webb honed her skills. Her
personal struggle with curly hair made her passionate about finding the perfect
blowout, which set the foundation for her future business.
Starting In-Home Blowout Services
After moving to California and starting a family, Webb left
her hairstyling career to focus on being a mother. However, her love for
hairstyling didn’t fade. She began offering in-home blowout services for her
friends. What began as a small side business soon grew through word-of-mouth,
as her clients loved her work and kept referring others. Webb realized there
was a demand for a reliable, affordable blowout service that didn’t exist in
the market.
Opening the First Drybar Location
The word spread quickly, and Webb knew she had stumbled upon
something big. In 2010, with the support of her brother Michael Landau and her
husband Cameron Webb, she opened the first Drybar in the Brentwood neighborhood
of Los Angeles. The concept was simple: no cuts, no color—just blowouts for a
flat fee of $40. The idea was an instant hit, with women flocking to Drybar for
a quick, affordable, and high-quality blowout.
Expanding Drybar Across the Country
The success of the first Drybar location didn’t go
unnoticed. As demand grew, Webb and her team expanded rapidly. By 2019, Drybar
had over 125 locations across major cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and
San Francisco. The company’s straightforward concept made it a favorite among
busy professionals, mothers, and anyone in need of a quick hair fix. Webb’s
vision for a blowout-focused salon had turned into a nationwide franchise
Becoming a Product Innovator
As Drybar continued to grow, Webb didn’t stop at just
offering blowouts. She saw an opportunity to expand the brand’s reach by
launching a line of styling tools and products in 2013. These products, which
included hair dryers, brushes, and styling sprays, were designed to help
customers replicate the Drybar experience at home. Webb’s product line was a
natural extension of her business and further solidified Drybar as a household
name in the beauty industry.
Writing a Bestseller
With her newfound success, Webb felt compelled to share her
expertise and journey with others. In 2016, she published The Drybar Guide to
Good Hair for All, which became a New York Times bestseller. The book offered
practical hairstyling tips and tricks and provided insight into Webb’s personal
and professional life. It resonated with a wide audience, from beauty
enthusiasts to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Expanding the Brand with New Ventures
As Drybar flourished, Webb and her brother Michael Landau
ventured into new business territories. In 2018, they launched a podcast called
Raising the Bar, where they shared their experiences and the lessons they’d
learned in building successful businesses. The podcast quickly gained a loyal
following, and Webb’s role as a thought leader in the beauty and business world
expanded.
Joining Shark Tank
In 2019, Webb’s entrepreneurial journey took another
exciting turn when she joined the cast of Shark Tank as a guest shark. This was
a significant milestone in her career, as it gave her the platform to invest in
promising startups while also sharing her business acumen with a wider
audience. Her appearances on the show helped further elevate Drybar’s profile
and demonstrated her savvy as a business investor.
Biography of Alli Webb: Founder & CEO of Drybar -Entrepreneur#startup#age#net worth#investor#Drybar story#Alli Webb story#Squeeze#journey Alli Webb
Launching “Squeeze”
In addition to Drybar, Webb and Landau also launched
Squeeze, a massage service that could be booked through an app. The service was
designed to offer a more modern, convenient way for people to access massages,
similar to the way Drybar had transformed the blowout experience. Squeeze was
another example of Webb’s ability to identify gaps in the market and provide
innovative solutions.
Recognition and Awards
Webb’s achievements in both the beauty and business worlds
have been widely recognized. She has earned numerous accolades, including being
named one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business” and featured
on Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list. These awards reflected her incredible impact
on the beauty industry and her ability to turn a simple idea into a thriving
business empire.
Overcoming Burnout and Personal Challenges
Despite her tremendous success, Webb faced significant
personal and professional challenges along the way. She struggled with severe
burnout as she tried to balance growing her business with raising a family. On
top of that, Webb had to cope with the loss of her mother and her son’s time in
rehab. In her book, she opens up about these difficulties, offering a candid
look at the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
Taking Risks with Venture Capital
As Drybar continued to grow, Webb took bold steps in
securing funding for her business. She chose to take money off the table with
each venture capital round, ensuring that she maintained control of the company
while also allowing investors to reap the rewards. This decision, although
risky, allowed Drybar to expand more aggressively and cement its position as a
leader in the beauty industry.
The Drybar Brand Today
Today, Drybar is more than just a chain of salons; it’s a
brand synonymous with affordable, high-quality blowouts. The company’s success
has paved the way for other beauty brands to adopt similar models, but Drybar
remains the gold standard. Webb’s vision and relentless drive have transformed
the beauty industry, and the company continues to thrive as a go-to destination
for women seeking a great blowout.
A Family-Oriented Entrepreneur
Even with all the success, Alli Webb remains focused on her
family. She lives in Tustin, California, with her husband Cameron and their two
children, Grant and Kit. While she oversees Drybar’s operations and creative
direction, she places a strong emphasis on maintaining a balanced family life.
Her story serves as an inspiration to other women, showing that it’s possible
to build a successful business while staying grounded in personal values.
Timeline for story
Early 1980s: Born and raised in a family with a clothing
business.
Late 1990s: Moved to New York City and worked with designer
Nicole Miller.
Early 2000s: Shifted focus to hairstyling, trained at Toni
& Guy Academy.
2004: Began offering in-home blowout services in California.
2010: Opened first Drybar location in Brentwood, Los
Angeles.
2019: Expanded Drybar to over 125 locations across the U.S.
2013: Launched Drybar’s product line, including styling
tools.
2016: Published The Drybar Guide to Good Hair for All, a New
York Times bestseller.
2018: Launched the podcast Raising the Bar with her brother.
2019: Joined Shark Tank as a guest shark.
2019: Launched Squeeze, a modern massage service.
Recognition: Named in Fast Company’s "100 Most Creative
People in Business" and Fortune's "40 Under 40."
Ongoing: Drybar remains a leading brand in the beauty
industry.
