Built to Shine Podcast

Starting a business takes more than a good idea. You need to understand what you’re getting into, recognize where you need support, and build a partnership that allows everyone to contribute their strengths. But what happens when the realities of running a business turn out to be more complicated than expected?


On this episode of the Built to Shine Podcast, Blo Blow Dry Bar CEO and host Vanessa Yakobson welcomes Azure White and her daughter, Bailee Read, Blo Blow Dry Bar franchisees in Las Vegas, for a conversation about the lessons that come with entrepreneurship.


After more than 30 years in hairdressing, Azure found herself ready for a new chapter as her three children grew up and moved into their own adult lives. She began exploring a new business opportunity, bringing her experience in hair, creativity, and hospitality to the table. She also recognized that building the business would require skills beyond her own. Bringing Bailee on board gave them an opportunity to combine their strengths and approach ownership as partners.


Their experience highlights an important lesson for anyone considering entrepreneurship: knowing your own strengths is only part of the equation. You also need to understand the responsibilities you may be less familiar with, whether that’s marketing, operations, accounting, taxes, or business licensing.


Azure and Bailee discuss the financial and operational challenges they encountered after opening, including the importance of understanding profit and loss statements and identifying knowledge gaps before they become bigger problems. They also discuss why a franchise's proven systems can be such a valuable starting point, what they wish they'd learned during the build-out process, and how they manage difficult days without allowing personal stress to spill over into the salon.


The conversation also gets into the practical side of building a partnership: dividing responsibilities, communicating clearly, trusting others to manage their roles, and knowing when to seek outside support. Azure shares how she approaches difficult days and why a business owner’s mindset can influence the people and environment around them.


What You’ll Learn

• How to recognize when you’re ready for a new entrepreneurial chapter.
• Why complementary skills matter when choosing a business partner.
• How to divide responsibilities and establish trust without micromanaging.
• Why identifying your knowledge gaps before opening can help you prepare for unexpected challenges.
• What aspiring franchise owners should understand about accounting, taxes, licensing, and profit and loss statements.
• How an established business system can provide a starting point without removing the need for learning and preparation.
• Why knowing when to delegate or seek professional support is an important business skill.
• How managing your mindset can influence your leadership and the way you show up for your team.
  
  

Whether you’re thinking about starting a business with a partner, considering franchise ownership, or preparing to take your first steps into entrepreneurship, this conversation offers useful lessons on preparation, delegation, financial awareness, and building a business that can grow beyond your individual strengths.


Episode Resources

• Vanessa Yakobson on LinkedIn
• Blo Blow Dry Bar Official Website
• Blo Franchise Opportunities
  
  

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  



It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

Imagine two franchise owners who each earn $250,000 a year - one works 15 hours a week. The other works 80.

Would you call them equally successful?
It's a question Scott Greenberg wants more entrepreneurs to consider, and in this episode of the Built to Shine Podcast, he does. Blo Blow Dry Bar CEO and host Vanessa Yakobson welcomes Scott, a speaker, business consultant, former multi-unit franchise owner, and author of The Wealthy Franchisee and Stop the Shift Show.
Together, they unpack why a profitable business can still leave its owner feeling trapped, how to make better decisions when emotions are running high and why following a franchise system requires both discipline and personal accountability. Plus, the connection between employee experience and customer experience, including a revealing story about an employee Scott initially believed had lost her motivation.

What You'll Learn

• Why Scott Greenberg defines a wealthy franchisee through financial return, control over time, and quality of life
• What Scott learned when he went from motivational speaking to owning multiple franchise locations
• The three behaviors Scott sees consistently among high-performing franchise owners
• Why staying clear-headed can be more useful than trying to stay positive
• How to use the “look in the mirror” exercise when something in your business isn't working
• Why following a proven franchise system and taking personal ownership go hand in hand
• How the way you treat employees affects the experience they create for customers
• Why experienced franchisees and supportive franchisors can be especially valuable during tough periods
  
  

The big theme that lies at the center of this conversation is simple - earning a good living matters. Having the freedom to enjoy it matters, too.


Episode Resources

• Scott Greenberg on LinkedIn
• The Wealthy Franchisee Book
• Stop the Shift Show Book 
• Vanessa Yakobson on LinkedIn
• Blo Blow Dry Bar Official Website
• Blo Franchise Opportunities
  
  

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

When Pragati and Rahul Patel opened Blo Blow Dry Bar in Chapel Hill, they thought clients would just start walking through the door. Three and a half years later, they’ve navigated a slow start, learned hard lessons about staffing and leadership, brought their first baby, and watched six feet of floodwater destroy the bar they’d worked so hard to build.


In this episode of the Built to Shine Podcast, host Vanessa Yakobson sits down with the husband-and-wife team to talk about what it really takes to build a small business from the ground up. Pragati, a nurse by trade, and Rahul, who works alongside her as her back-of-house partner, share insights on building a thriving team culture, navigating the challenges of being a husband-and-wife entrepreneurial team, and staying resilient when facing unexpected obstacles.


What You'll Learn

• Why “wanting to be the cool boss” backfires
• How to hire for culture, not just capacity
• When to bring on a manager
• The real cost of keeping a toxic top performer
• How to turn revenue goals into daily staffing decisions
• What working as a husband-and-wife actually looks like
  
  

Episode Resources

• Pragati Patel on Instagram
• Vanessa Yakobson on LinkedIn
• Blo Blow Dry Bar Official Website
• Blo Franchise Opportunities
  
  

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of the Built to Shine Podcast, host Vanessa Yakobson sits down with Leanne and Brandon Anderson to unpack what the first year and a half of business ownership actually looks like. Leanne shares her journey from a 20-year corporate career in financial services and healthcare to her passion for hair and makeup. At the same time, Brandon draws on more than a decade as a franchise consultant to explain why the right system, executive team, and support structure make all the difference.


The conversation moves through the realities of opening day, the mindset shifts required when you’re the owner scrubbing floors before shift, and the deliberate work of building a team culture rooted in authenticity and care. Brandon and Leanne open up about how they divide responsibilities as married co-owners with four kids, how they’ve built a bench of builders ready for their next locations, and the systems they use to stay “on the business” rather than stuck in it.


What You'll Learn

• Why franchising compresses the learning curve
• How to evaluate a franchise brand before you sign
• What the first six months of ownership actually feel like
• How to build a partnership that works at home and at work
• The 80% rule for aspiring entrepreneurs
• How to build and protect team culture from day one
  
  

Episode Resources

• Leanne Anderson on LinkedIn
• Brandon Anderson on LinkedIn
• Vanessa Yakobson on LinkedIn
• Blo Blow Dry Bar Official Website
• Blo Franchise Opportunities
  
  

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

Andrea Lombardi began her Blo journey as a customer at Blo Bloor West for seven years before stepping into ownership. When her family business was sold, Andrea bought her Blo franchise in 2017 and opened her doors in 2019, while unexpectedly remaining employed under the new family business owners.


Her journey proved that entrepreneurship is less about knowing every answer and more about staying humble enough to keep learning. Andrea discusses running "spaghetti experiments," taking feedback, learning from operational stumbles, and developing the grit required when things do not go to plan.


She reflects candidly on early hiring mistakes at her Blo Etobicoke location. Andrea explains why hiring for mindset, values, and coachability matters more than technical skill when building a service team, and how intentionally protecting company culture transformed her business performance.


From celebrating small wins to using daily sales data to control payroll percentages, Andrea shares practical frameworks for success. She reveals how disciplined operational systems allow her to grow as an entrepreneur while balancing business ownership, a full-time career, and family.


What You'll Learn

• How Andrea transitioned from a 7-year Blo customer to a successful franchise operator.
• Why humility and a positive mindset are critical for navigating business stumbles.
• How to run "spaghetti experiments" and embrace feedback to refine operations.
• Why hiring for mindset and values yields better long-term performance than technical skill alone.
• How to protect team culture using the "rotten orange" rule.
• The exact method Andrea uses to set and track Wildly Important Goals (WIGs).
• How tracking daily sales, add-on services, and payroll percentages removes business anxiety.
• How to balance owning a franchise while maintaining a full-time corporate role and family life.
• Why participating in franchisee peer networks eliminates entrepreneurial isolation.
• Lessons learned after winning Blo Franchisee of the Year and setting new growth targets.
  
  

Episode Resources

• Andrea Lombardi on LinkedIn
• Vanessa Yakobson on LinkedIn
• Blo Blow Dry Bar Official Website
• Blo Franchise Opportunities
  
  

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

Noah Yakobson moved from a business strategy role at a sports broadcasting company in Canada to owning multiple lash and brow studios. Although his corporate role brought together his business background and interest in sports, Noah wanted greater control over his own results and the opportunity to build something of his own. He shares how seeing his parents build businesses influenced his own interest in entrepreneurship and the freedom that can come with building something of your own. He started early, used a long time horizon, and took a leap of faith into an industry he knew very little about at first.


His approach focuses on business fundamentals rather than specific services. He highlights the importance of data-driven decisions and building trust with an inherited team. From managing staff issues to looking at daily sales projections, Noah explains the discipline required to keep four locations running smoothly while staying level-headed through every challenge.


What You'll Learn:

• Seeing the benefits of working for yourself at a young age.
• Evaluating a business opportunity using numbers and logic.
• Identifying why starting young can actually lower your risk.
• Moving from a corporate role to a hands-on owner position.
• Building rapport with a team that has more industry experience.
• Deciding which tasks to keep and which ones to delegate.
• Using daily data to stay ahead of financial issues.
• Managing your emotions during the ups and downs of ownership.
• Learning why community and local marketing are vital for growth.
• Trusting your ability to learn new industries quickly.
  
  

Episode Resources:

• Noah Yakobson LinkedIn
• MYNC Beauty Website
• Vanessa Yakobson LinkedIn
• Blo Blow Dry Bar Website
  
  

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

Jean Camilletti spent decades at the top of the fashion world before building her own empire. The corporate discipline and financial knowledge that she gained throughout her career were brought to the beauty world. Jean’s vision started with one location and eventually grew into several successful blow dry bars across New York.

Owning a business brought surprises about leadership and the weight of responsibility for others. Jean faced major setbacks during the global pandemic but kept moving forward with her team. In this episode, she tells her story, which shows how to stay true to a brand while supporting a local community.


What You'll Learn: 

• Recognizing the signs that it is time to work for yourself.
• Applying big business financial skills to a small shop.
• How to move from one location to many.
• The reality of how many people will depend on you.
• Managing staff who have different goals than you.
• Trusting the tools provided by a franchise.
• Standing your ground during a global crisis.
• Giving your team the power to handle their own tasks.
• Why helping your neighborhood matters for your bottom line.
  
  

About the Guest:Jean Camilletti spent 35 years in the fashion industry before becoming a business owner. She reached the level of president at a public company where she managed several large brands and learned the essentials of running a business. Jean opened her first Blo Blow Dry Bar location on Long Island nearly 14 years ago and eventually became a multi-unit owner. Jean is a firm believer in following proven brand systems while empowering her team to handle their own responsibilities. Outside her daily business tasks, she stays active in her community by supporting local charities and hospitals.


Episode Resources:

• Vanessa Yakobson LinkedIn
• Jean Camilletti LinkedIn
• Blo Blow Dry Bar Website

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

Samantha Sherman didn't become an entrepreneur because she had all the answers. She became one because she believed in hard work, embraced calculated risk, and wanted to build something of her own. After becoming a franchisee, growing a struggling business into a successful one, and eventually transitioning into franchise support, Sam gained a unique perspective on what helps business owners thrive.

In this episode of Built to Shine, Sam shares lessons from both sides of franchising, from navigating uncertainty and leading a team to building consistent habits and staying grounded through challenges. She and Vanessa explore why self-awareness, resilience, and a willingness to embrace discomfort often matter more than having the perfect business plan, and why the most successful entrepreneurs never stop learning or growing.

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

Komal Noordin never expected entrepreneurship to lead her back to herself. After spending time at home with her young children, she realized she wanted something that challenged and fulfilled her beyond motherhood. Through business ownership, she found a renewed sense of purpose and built Blo Germantown into a thriving part of the Memphis community.

In this episode of Built to Shine, Komal shares how her background in behavioral therapy shaped her leadership style, from coaching employees with empathy to creating a culture rooted in accountability, communication, and growth. She opens up about balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, navigating employee turnover, and learning that successful leadership is less about having all the answers and more about staying open to learning.

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Built to Shine, Vanessa Yakobson sits down with multi-unit franchise owner Kenny Trattner to unpack what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes. From his early decision to work for himself to building and scaling multiple locations, Kenny shares the mindset, discipline, and responsibility required to succeed.

It's time to put your passion to work. Explore Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise opportunities at franchise.blomedry.com  


Built to Shine Podcast in handcrafted by out friends over at: fame.so