This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
Published in Women's Health, October 2019, Alli Webb's story is a testament to the power of turning a side gig into a main gig.
After starting a small, home-based blow-dry business in 2008 to balance her hairdressing career with new-mom duties, Webb's business took off, and she opened Drybar in 2010. The blow-dry bar quickly gained popularity with L.A.'s cool crowd, and Webb's self-care empire continued to grow.
Fast forward to 2023, Webb added to her self-care empire with the massage business Squeeze, further solidifying her position as a leading entrepreneur in the self-care industry.
Webb's journey is a reminder that messiness isn't necessarily a bad thing. 'There is a part of me that used to think I needed to be perfect, but I don’t see my life that way anymore—that’s chasing an impossible goal.'
Webb's passion for her work is evident in her advice to other women. 'Believe in the power of a good hair day. When my hair looks good, I can do anything. No woman should beat herself up for taking pride in how she looks.'
Webb's success is also a testament to the importance of finding one's passion. 'If you’re doing something you’re not passionate about, it’s hard to get real traction.'
Webb's advice to build on small opportunities is also worth noting. 'You don’t have to do something massive. We didn’t invent blowouts. We simply created a better experience around getting service at a price point that didn’t exist yet in the market.'
Webb's journey is a reminder to find one's own inner peace. 'I recently started doing transcendental meditation, and it’s been life-changing. It calms me in a way that nothing’s ever relaxed me before. I feel like it has brought me to an evolved state.'
