Ep 94 | Alli Webb
Building Drybar, Overcoming Depression & Living a Purposeful Life
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In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Alli Webb, serial entrepreneur, NYT best-selling author, and the co-founder of Drybar.
Everything that Alli does, she does with wholehearted passion. From beauty school to the PR industry to stay-at-home mom to founder, Alli has successfully held many roles throughout her life and has learned countless valuable lessons along the way, many of which she shares with us in today’s episode.
Alli’s mobile blow-out business, which she started in 2009 after being a stay-at-home mom for almost 5 years, catalyzed the idea for Drybar. In 2010, Alli opened the first Drybar in Brentwood, CA. 10 years later and over 150+ locations across the U.S., Drybar exploded into a nationally recognized and highly sought-after brand.
Alli also diversified the Drybar business, creating a line of products and tools, which she sold to Helen of Troy for $255 million.
Alli has been on the cover of Inc Magazine’s “How I Did This” issue, named the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company, featured on Fortune magazine’s “40 Under 40” list, and recently Inc. magazine recognized her as one of “The 100 Women Building America’s Most Innovative and Ambitious Businesses.”
We speak with Alli about the many transitions in her life from dropping out of college to going to beauty school despite what others thought, to being a stay-at-home mom to then building her massive empire at Drybar. Despite all the success Alli’s had in her life, we talk about the tough times in her life, how she’s tackled depression and heartbreak, and the new chapter she’s in today both personally and professionally.
Show Notes:
Alli’s upbringing, and when her desire to become an entrepreneur began to form. [2:37]
The focus and drive with which Alli approaches all endeavors. [6:48]
Why Alli chose to go to beauty school, and the different career that she pursued afterwards. [9:00]
Highs and lows that Alli experienced as a stay-at-home-mom. [15:56]
The mobile blow-out business that Alli built when her children were young. [17:14]
The motivation behind Alli’s decision to found Drybar, and what differentiates this salon from the rest. [19:16]
Economic conditions at the time of the founding of Drybar. [22:16]
Fear and optimism that Alli felt prior to starting Drybar, and the [23:07]
Some of the challenges that Alli overcame during the early days of Drybar. [25:06]
The continuous learning process that Alli’s experience with Drybar has been. [28:10]
What the last few years have looked like for Alli, since taking a step back from Drybar. [29:05]
Alli candidly shares the various reasons that led to her divorce after 16 years of marriage, and the depression that she experienced afterwards. [29:55]
Factors that helped Alli get through her depression, and the headspace she is currently in. [32:45]
Traits that Alli adopted when she was running Drybar, and how she has changed since. [37:43]
Canopy; the company that Alli is currently working for, and how they are reimagining humidifiers [42:32]
Where the idea for Canopy originated, and how Alli got involved. [45:19]
Advice for anyone who is struggling to find their purpose in life. [47:30]
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Follow Alli:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alliwebb/
Drybar: https://www.drybar.com/
Canopy: https://getcanopy.co/
