Started with a concept to make women feel beautiful and provide luxury to them at affordable prices without them having to compromise on quality or service, Primp and Blow is delivering much more than what was promised. Let us see how Melodi Herman started this off and how is she managing the growing business of Primp and Blow.
Q: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Primp and Blow is a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based blow dry bar. Where we offer busy women on the go an affordable quick convenient option to getting a shampoo blow out. We continue to Grow and have just opened our 3rd Location in Phoenix’s historic Towne & Country Shopping Center on Dec 6th, 2012. We help our clients take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life leaving them feel renewed, refreshed and rejuvenated. We provide an experience that allows them to be the best version of themselves
Q: Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: I am From Kansas City MO. I moved to Scottsdale AZ in 2010 to open the 1st Blow Dry Bar in the area. 2 years later I just opened the 3rd Primp and Blow. I have an MBA in marketing and I am passionate about what I do because I believe we are making a difference in our client’s lives and are improving the awareness of the Primp and Blow concept.
Q: What do you most want people to know about Primp and Blow and what we do?
Ans: At Primp and Blow we want people to know that we do not just provide hair services, but an entire experience for our clients.
Q: How important is it to have good employees?
Ans: Having good employees is one of the most important keys to the success of any business.
Q: How important is it to have good employees?
Ans: Having good employees is one of the most important keys to the success of any business.
Q: What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Ans: My advice for college students that want to become entrepreneurs would be to love what you do, be patient and be prepared to work.
Q: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: The top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur are commitment, vision and passion
Q: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: I believe it is important to stick with an idea until you have exhausted all potential avenues of success
Q: What motivates you?
Ans: Continued success motivates me to continue to build my business and influence others to follow their dreams.
Q: How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: To generate new ideas, I identify a problem/ pain point/ or customer’s need. I look for desires that are not met by someone else’s products or services, and I also think about what I like to do, where I like to shop or eat and identify an opportunity there.
Q: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: I like to think I am fearless! However, as most entrepreneurs will tell you their biggest fear is of failing. The problem with fear is it makes people more cautious and in some cases less effective.
Q: How do you define success?
Ans: For me the number of satisfied clients we serve defines my success.
Q: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: I believe the best way to achieve long-term success is to set short-term goals. Short-terms goals are stepping-stones to achieving long-term success.
Q: How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: For Primp and Blow we have been able to build a successful customer base by ensuring a great experience time and again.
Q: How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: Each of our locations was selected for a unique reason. The newest location in Phoenix was selected because it is an area that is being revamped with great visibility and potential for regular and walk-in clients.
Q: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: I don’t believe there is a pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur. As I mentioned above if you have tireless commitment, vision and passion for something success is possible.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: My favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur is the flexibility it allows me.
Q: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: I think the biggest difference between an entrepreneur and someone who isn’t is an entrepreneur implements an idea and sees it from start to finish. Those that are not entrepreneurs are typically in place to bridge a gap or solve a problem for a company that already exists.
Q: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: At Primp and Blow our best form of marketing is our clients. If they love their service and experience they will tell their network and drive business to our doors. In addition we advertise in local lifestyle publications, we use social media, SEO and guerrilla marketing tactics to market Primp and Blow.
Q: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur
Ans: Busy!
Q: How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans: I think the best way to mitigate mistakes is to set accurate expectations. Expectations for your employees, customers and yourself.
Q: If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
Ans: I would have asked what lessons I have learned from starting a business, challenges I have had to overcome, and what has helped me to best grow my business.