ON THE JOB

Melissa Davis

Blow dry bar owner

Melissa Davis is the franchise owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar in Bedford, a “no cuts, no color” salon that provides hair styling and makeup application services.

Explain your job and what it entails.

My job is to be here daily, welcoming guests and working with the team to make sure that our wash-blowdry concept and experience is on point, and that we’re really connecting with the community.

How long have you had this job?

We opened on Aug. 20.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

I’m originally from Manchester. I moved away after high school and spent many years in New York City and a couple years in Toronto and Miami, and blow dry bars are very popular there. I became an avid client at my local blow dry bar and would go weekly or biweekly to get my hair styled for events. When I moved back [to Manchester] about six months ago, I was deciding on a career change. I knew I wanted to start my own business, and I thought there was definitely a need and a market for [a blow dry bar] here in New Hampshire, because there isn’t anything like it here.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I spent the previous 12 years of my career with … a high-end luxury health club. I was in the global sales division and operations division, working with corporate sales teams, hiring teams, opening locations and

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. I think as long as we’re following the mandates and adhering to policies, we’ll ... still be able to deliver our services to our guests.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

To go with the flow. There will be hiccups, but as long as you learn to pivot and keep moving forward with your vision, it all ends up falling into place.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

I wish that more people knew that something like this existed. … We’re [working] to educate the public about us and about our concept, but it’s a process, for sure.

What was the first job you ever had?

I worked at a pharmacy when I was 16.

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