Drybar and Squeeze co-founder Alli Webb discusses how to validate business ideas by modernizing traditional service industries with host Guy Raz.
Insight
Webb: Scaling large businesses requires specialist operators, not early founders
“To grow and scale to the size that we have, that takes people who understand that world and that, and how to do that. And that wasn't like my strongest suit.”
Insight
Webb: Drybar Succeeded by Focusing on Emotional Impact Over Just Hair
“Frankly, that's why Drybar has been so successful. I mean, yes, we're doing great blowouts, and your hair looks amazing, but it's about the way you feel when you have great hair, or the way you feel when you put on an outfit that makes you feel good, or if you…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Drybar expanded to 67 locations organically without a formal business plan
“It wasn't a premeditated, like, we didn't have a business plan, it wasn't like, this is our goal, and this is our trajectory, like, there was none of that. It was all this very organic, and we're on to something, so we're going to figure it out and keep growin…”
Assertion Contradicted
Webb says Drybar faced zero direct competition when it launched
“No, there was no competition. There were hair salons.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Drybar scaled to over 60 locations without a formal business plan
“It wasn't a premeditated, like, we didn't have a business plan. It wasn't like, this is our goal, and this is our trajectory. Like, there was none of that. It was all this very organic, and we're on to something, so we're going to figure it out and keep growin…”
Insight
Drybar capitalized on the missing middle between luxury and discount salons
“God, there really is two bad choices out there, and that's it. And so that's when I think the idea started percolating for me, and I was like, huh, you know, there's no place, like, in the middle”