16 bringing the concept to new markets. That background [prepared] me for what I’m doing now with Blo.
CAREERS
Melissa Davis
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire? Our signature colors are hot pink, baby pink and gray, so we wear any of those colors or black or white.
What was it like starting this business during the pandemic? It’s been pretty smooth so far, but we’ll see what happens with the new [Covid] variant. Melissa Davis is the franchise owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar in Bedford, a “no cuts, no I think as long as we’re following the mancolor” salon that provides hair styling and makeup application services. dates and adhering to policies, we’ll ... still be able to deliver our services to our guests. Explain your job and what it very popular there. I became an avid client at entails. my local blow dry bar and would go weekly What do you wish you’d known at the My job is to be here daily, wel- or biweekly to get my hair styled for events. beginning of your career? coming guests and working with When I moved back [to Manchester] about To go with the flow. There will be hiccups, the team to make sure that our wash-blow- six months ago, I was deciding on a career but as long as you learn to pivot and keep dry concept and experience is on point, change. I knew I wanted to start my own moving forward with your vision, it all ends and that we’re really connecting with the business, and I thought there was definitely up falling into place. community. a need and a market for [a blow dry bar] here in New Hampshire, because there isn’t anyWhat do you wish other people knew How long have you had this job? thing like it here. about your job? We opened on Aug. 20. I wish that more people knew that someWhat kind of education or training did thing like this existed. … We’re [working] What led you to this career field and your you need? to educate the public about us and about our current job? I spent the previous 12 years of my career concept, but it’s a process, for sure. I’m originally from Manchester. I moved with … a high-end luxury health club. I away after high school and spent many years was in the global sales division and operaWhat was the first job you ever had? in New York City and a couple years in tions division, working with corporate sales I worked at a pharmacy when I was 16. Toronto and Miami, and blow dry bars are teams, hiring teams, opening locations and
Blow dry bar owner
Melissa Davis. Courtesy photo.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received? Keep things in perspective. When you’re really invested in something, it can feel like everything is the end-all-be-all. It really helps if you take things with a grain of salt and calmly strategize your way out of [a problem], versus reacting emotionally. — Angie Sykeny Five favorites Favorite book: The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell Favorite movie: Fight Club Favorite music: Musical theater Favorite food: Lobster Favorite thing about NH: The four seasons
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HIPPO | SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 6, 2021 | PAGE 16
