Blow Dry Bar franchisee Tammie Foster is always on the look-out for a new challenge. She co-owns Sun 7 Tanning Studio and opened her first Blow Dry Bar salon in December last year.  

At the beginning of her career Tammie held sales, service and later marketing positions in the insurance and finance industries.

When she moved from Adelaide to the Gold Coast in 2007, Tammie took on a role as the public relations and marketing manager at The Clock Hotel in Surfers Paradise, however she was looking to open up her own tanning salon in the area.

1. Tell us a little about your work life before becoming a franchisee?

I was and still am co-owner of Sun 7 Tanning Studio, which is a tanning salon consisting of six solariums and a spray tanning room in Queenslad. 

I had the idea of opening a tanning salon when I first moved to the Gold Coast from Adelaide in 2007, however  while I was doing some market research I came across Sun 7 Tanning Studio. 

At the time the company had two salons on the Gold Coast and the fit out and concept was what I had envisioned.

Instead of trying to compete with this brand I contacted the owner through the company’s website to set up a meeting and we went from there – my first salon was up and running in Robina on 13 June 2009.

Leading up to the opening of the business I took a lot of day courses. They covered all areas of business and were provided through the Gold Coast City Council.

Before moving up to the Gold Coast from Adelaide, I worked as a sales and service consultant in personal insurance with SGIC and Australian Central Credit Union (now known as People’s Choice Credit Union). On top of insurance I was consulting and selling general banking and loans.

It was during this time I discovered my interest in marketing and began a Certificate IV in Marketing through TAFE. I often pushed my interest in the marketing department to head office and finished my employment with the company as marketing officer in the creative department.

2. What brought you to invest in a franchise? [Was it the appeal of a new market, or the idea of a franchise?]

After owning Sun 7 for around two and a half years and watching it grow through new partnerships on the Gold Coast and Brisbane I wanted to branch out on my own.

For about six months I was racking my brain for a new idea but was still keen to remain in the beauty services industry. I felt express service, flexible trading hours and an affordable price point were most important to me and my customers. 

Being a female enjoying these luxuries myself, I thought about how much I spent when I wanted a blow dry and how I would only book in for one if it was a special occasion or event as they always cost between 70 and 90 dollars.

I had always wished I could afford regular blow dries so I could maintain the same style at home however I could never justify the price.

Through online research I discovered this concept had already been established in America with a franchise called Blo. As I kept researching I found the concept had reached Australia with a franchise called Blow Dry Bar! 

I contacted the franchisor Nathan Cuneen right away (which was in November 2011) and he got back to me the next day and we proceeded to go through the application process.

3. Why did you choose this brand in particular?

I chose Blow Dry Bar because this was the first brand to bring the concept to Australia in 2008 and there was already so much hype around it. 

I felt confident that this was the idea I believed in and I could see its potential for growth in Australia.

I also admire Blow Dry Bar’s fresh and innovative approach and I think the biggest draw card for me was the fact that unlike the owner-operator model that many franchises offer, Blow Dry Bar offers franchisees a unique owner-investor model, which means I didn’t have to give up my current commitments or involvement with Sun 7.

4. What skills did you bring to the business?

Being a part of a successful tanning salon for three and a half years prior to this meant I already had knowledge of every aspect of running a business.

In saying that, I must admit I definitely continue to learn new business skills through Blow Dry Bar but that is because there is so much support from the brand’s head office.

I also believe my marketing background was a great help in starting up the first salon on the Gold Coast.

5. What has been the biggest challenge as a franchisee in a new field?

Being a franchisee when I am used to being a co-owner has been the biggest learning curve for me. There are so many other things you have to consider, although I am finding this to be a very positive thing now as I receive so much support to make my business the very best it can be.

In addition, the hairdressing business is very different to a tanning salon as you are dealing with staff who are passionate and this is their life long career, whereas we hire young, casual staff at my tanning salon.

6. How has the franchisor helped you gain confidence in your business?

The head office team has been a great help in keeping my confidence in the brand and going forward in the future.

In addition, Blow Dry Bar ensures all franchisees are fully trained in all aspects of the business and there is an ongoing education program which has been really helpful.

7. What will you do with this business and your new-found skills?

My plan is to open multiple salons on the Gold Coast – at least two more in the next two years, and keep building up from there.