Jaclyn Johnson

Founder of @CreateCultivate
Founder of Cherub
Founder of Blueprint Mastermind
Host @workparty podcast

[Intro @intro]

Imagine selling your business for a whopping $255M (🤯👏) after being initially laughed at by investors.

That's exactly what Alli Webb did with Drybar.

How she did it & 5 lessons YOU can apply to your business today 👇

A quick overview:

In 2004, Alli paused her career as a professional hair stylist to be a stay-at-home mom.

In 2008, she started offering professional blow-outs to fellow moms in her neighborhood.

In 2010, she co-founded Drybar after her blow-out business started taking off.

By 2020, she sold her hair products line for $255M.

By 2021, WellBiz Brands acquired Drybar's franchise business.

OK now let's take it back to 2008...

After spending 15 years as a hairstylist & 5 years raising her sons, entrepreneurship was calling!

Her idea? Offer women a professional blowout for $45 in the comfort of their own homes.

She quickly realized there was a lot of demand for just blowouts.

By getting customer feedback, she validated her business idea for Drybar.

Her business started to take off 🚀

She scaled from 1 location to 10, then 20, then 50, and so on.

Fast forward to 2021:

- Scaled to 100+ Drybar locations
- Sold the hair product line for $255M
- Sold the franchise biz to WellBiz Brands

... here are 5 lessons you can apply to YOUR biz today 👇

1) Have Founder-Market Fit 💇🏼‍♀️

Before starting Drybar, Alli was a professional hairstylist. This helped her in 3 ways:

- She got to speak to her ideal customer daily
- She learned about their pain points with hair
- She validated that there was a market for blowouts

2) Innovate On Something That Already Exists

Hair salons have been around forever. Alli decided to focus on 1 part of the experience & make it the absolute best.

Many entrepreneurs think they must invent a new category or develop something extremely innovative.

A better approach? Make slight improvements to existing products or services.

3) Become Known For Something

Alli Webb was determined to become known for "the perfect blowout".

Drybar didn't want to be like any other hair salon. She differentiated herself by offering only blowouts. No cuts, no coloring services, just blowouts.

This helped Alli's business stand out in a crowded market.

4) When To Bootstrap vs. Work With Investors

Bootstrapping the business early on helped the Drybar team get it "right" in fewer salons.

It turns out that having investors laugh at the idea was a blessing in disguise!

Once they scaled to a few salons, other investors wanted in.

At that stage, Alli needed capital for expansion. It was the perfect time to switch from bootstrapping to working with investors.

And the investors who laughed at the idea? They missed out on a huge opportunity.

5) Offer A+ Customer Service

When you arrive at Drybar, you instantly feel pampered and relaxed.

The receptionist checks you in with a smile.

You get to watch nostalgic movies during your service.

The space feels light, airy, and trendy.

Customer service is often an afterthought. Alli strategically chose to make it a differentiator.

To recap....

5 lessons YOU can apply to your business today 👇

1) Have Founder-Market Fit 💇🏼‍♀️
2) Innovate On Something That Already Exists
3) Become Known For Something
4) When To Bootstrap vs. Work With Investors
5) Offer A+ Customer Service

Get personalized advice from Alli on:

➡️ Fundraising in the beauty space
➡️ How to build a franchise business
➡️ Getting your products into retail
➡️ Scaling to 100+ locations

Want to get feedback on your business idea? You can now book Alli Webb on Intro.

--
Found this valuable? Repost and follow @useintro to learn how the world's most successful entrepreneurs built $100M+ businesses.

[Intro @intro]

“Sometimes people overthink what it takes to launch a business and they want every single thing to be perfect before they hit go. Be OK with 80%—not 100%—and re-orient from there.” - @JaclynRJohnson, Founder of @createcultivate

[Emma Bates @EmmaSHBates]

spoke with @JaclynRJohnson (💖) on @itsaworkparty podcast the other day about all things @askDiem and why we’re so excited about the opportunity to build social <> search products, the ingenuity of female communication & more!

https://t.co/RAdZtOtATQ

[Nanxi Liu @nanxi_liu]

Who are amazing community builders in your life that go out of their way to support you & others?

Shoutout to a few of mine:
1. @bryanwish_ : CEO of @Arcbound__
2. @bryanvuongpham: CEO of @asianhustlentwk
3. @JaclynRJohnson: founder of @createcultivate

[cindygallop.eth @cindygallop]

'When the spread of COVID-19 pushed everyone online, @createcultivate founder @JaclynRJohnson quickly pivoted to virtual events, which allowed the bootstrapped company to grow — and she sold a majority stake the next year for $22 million' @TheyGotAcquired
https://t.co/iZus8I7ALi

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Join me along with @WmnsCoLab @bustle @Verizon @FemaleQuotient and more for a must-attend #InternationalWomensDay event Tuesday 3/8 at 12pm ET.

I am speaking with Shelly Zalis for a fireside chat alongside a fire line up! Sign Up here: https://t.co/naXXiHluQT

[Women's CoLab @WmnsCoLab]

Women’s CoLab + @Bustle are excited to announce that @JaclynRJohnson, Founder of @createcultivate, will join our event on March 8, 2022, at 12 PM ET, to celebrate International Women’s Day. ✨

Register here: https://t.co/yypHiOPpOC

#InternationalWomensDay
#WomensHistoryMonth

[Know Your Value @KnowYourValue]

“The power of saying ‘no’ and the willingness to walk away is a very powerful thing.” - @JaclynRJohnson, Vice Chair & Founder of @createcultivate

Visit https://t.co/pTJu3eUVlj to check out the latest episode of @morningmika’s podcast #MikaStraightUp!

[Architectural Digest @ArchDigest]

@CreateCultivate founder and CEO @JaclynRJohnson's home is a trendy, yet timeless retreat. https://t.co/mTLbI0lc8J

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Clear skies ☀️ full heat 🔥 can’t lose 😂

Summer Fridays 🗓 are giving me life this year, it’s amazing what wrapping a few hours early can do for your spirit 💕 @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/MXvn4Y442W

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Bathroom wars 💕

Which is your fave? Drop a heart below #wekaulithome 👇
💚 Primary
💙 Guest
💖 Powder @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/kH4zRMGZhJ

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Just posted a photo @ New York, New York https://t.co/u49uTIXMJH

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Feels like summer ☀️

Been spending time off my 📱 and with my loved 🥰 ones and have to admit it feels good after a year of endless scrolling, who can relate? @ Silver Lake https://t.co/vs0anlJwXX

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Just posted a photo @ California https://t.co/OpvWTf5nHi

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Walking into the long weekend like 💥

Something about vacation-post-2020 hit way differently, a true feeling of relief and re-connection like I’ve never felt. @ California https://t.co/13V9A5giZY

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

The accuracy 🎯

Love you @daver1 ♥️💕 😂 for putting up with me @ Wailea-Makena, Hawaii https://t.co/2RWL4gIQs4

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Just posted a photo @ Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea https://t.co/ECzWCk4RuX

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Just posted a photo @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/CYdNoqdzNo

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Boundaries coming in hot 🚨

One of the great lessons of my thirties is that your circle getting smaller is a good thing. Set boundaries, build real relationships and listen to your gut! ♥️

Via @terricole https://t.co/Tq7YBaETZD

[Jaclyn Johnson @JaclynRJohnson]

Just posted a photo @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/VO3qYWhLxf