Marking a Milestone during the Pandemic

This year, Drybar is celebrating 10 years of being in the Valley! We opened our first location at Scottsdale Quarter in 2011 figuring that it was going to be successful because the demographic was similar to the first Drybar location in Brentwood, Calif., and we were right. Clients of Scottsdale Quarter started asking for a location in the Phoenix area. Shortly after, we opened a Drybar at 32nd Street and Camelback Road. Following the first two locations, we took a break to let Drybar grow locally and nationally. Popularity skyrocketed and a couple years later we opened three locations within 12 months: the Phoenician, Lincoln Plaza and San Tan Village. I’m proud to share that we will also be opening a Tempe location this fall at The Watermark.

Ten years is a major milestone and accomplishment for any business, but it feels especially significant after the year that we all have just faced. 

Drybar closed 10 days before Governor Ducey announced that salon businesses needed to close. As a business owner, I found it a terrifying decision but one that had to be made because of the unknowns. All managers were kept on staff and, after cleaning the shops more than we maybe ever have before (and trust me when I say we had strict cleaning practices before COVID-19!), we provided them with professional development opportunities via modules on Zoom and independent learning. Following protocols, we were able to re-open in May 2020 but chose to close again in July of 2020 as cases began to spike. Drybar re-opened for good in August of 2020 with articulate protocols in place and I’m proud to say there has not been any outbreak of COVID-19. A big challenge we faced, and still face, is staffing, so Drybar is hiring.

These past 10 years, notably this past year, have taught me so much as a business owner. I’m grateful to have been, and continue to be, a part of a franchise I can rely on.

Amy Ross is Arizona operating partner of Drybar.