Alli Webb

Alli Webb is an American entrepreneur and author who co-founded Drybar, the blowout-only salon chain that grew from a mobile service to over 150 locations before its $255 million acquisition by Helen of Troy in 2020.^[1] Webb transformed a side hustle serving stay-at-home mothers in Los Angeles into a beauty industry phenomenon that redefined salon services by focusing exclusively on blowouts.^[4]

Born in Boca Raton, Florida in 1975, Webb worked in fashion and public relations before becoming a licensed hairstylist.^[6] After leaving the hair industry in 2005 to raise her children, she launched Straight At Home in 2008 as a mobile blowout service, charging $40 per appointment through connections made in Yahoo mommy groups.^[4] The concept evolved into Drybar in 2010, co-founded with her brother Michael Landau.^[2]

Since Drybar's exit, Webb has co-founded massage concept Squeeze in 2019, jewelry company Becket + Quill, and hair care brand Messy in 2024.^[3] She is the author of two books, including the New York Times bestseller "The Drybar Guide To Good Hair For All" and the 2023 memoir "The Messy Truth."^[3]

Webb was born on March 20, 1975, and raised in Boca Raton, Florida, where her parents owned a clothing business.^[6] She graduated from Olympic Heights Community High School and briefly attended Florida State University before leaving to pursue other opportunities.^[6]

Webb obtained her cosmetology license from beauty school in Boca Raton and began her career working as an assistant at Nicole Miller in fashion before transitioning to hair styling at John Sahag Salon in New York City.^[6] She later moved into public relations at Rogers & Cowan, working with celebrity clients including Faith Hill, Paul McCartney, and Keith Urban.^[6]

Early Career and Transition (1990s–2008)

Webb began her professional career in fashion as an assistant at Nicole Miller before transitioning to hair styling at the renowned John Sahag Salon in New York City.^[6] She later shifted to public relations, working at Rogers & Cowan with high-profile celebrity clients including Faith Hill, Paul McCartney, and Keith Urban.^[6]

In 2005, Webb left the hair industry to start a family and moved to Los Angeles, where she spent five years as a stay-at-home mother.^[4] During this period, she connected with other mothers primarily through Yahoo mommy groups in the LA area.^[4]

Straight At Home (2008–2010)

In 2008, Webb launched Straight At Home, a mobile blowout service targeting stay-at-home mothers in Los Angeles.^[4] She charged $40 per appointment and quickly found herself unable to keep up with demand as word spread through her network of mothers.^[4] The mobile business was breaking even while proving the viability of the blowout-only concept.^[4]

Drybar (2010–2020)

Webb co-founded Drybar in 2010 with her brother Michael Landau, evolving from her mobile service concept.^[2] The company specialized exclusively in blowouts with no cuts or color services, featuring a cocktail-themed atmosphere and signature styling menu.^[2] Webb stated her founding motivation: "I started Drybar because I wanted to create a beautiful place where woman could get a great blowout at an affordable price."^[2]

The company experienced rapid growth, expanding to over 150 locations across the United States.^[1] Drybar raised $2.5 million in initial funding in 2011 and secured $40.9 million in credit facilities by 2016.^[6] Webb reflected on the company's trajectory: "We were on such a rocket ship with Drybar, and the trajectory of the business was so fast and amazing."^[3]

In February 2020, Helen of Troy Limited completed its acquisition of Drybar's product business for $255 million.^[1] WellBiz Brands subsequently acquired the franchise rights to Drybar's salon operations in 2021.^[2]

Post-Drybar Ventures (2019–present)

Webb co-founded Squeeze, an innovative massage concept with online booking capabilities, in 2019.^[6] She also launched Becket + Quill, an affordable luxury jewelry company.^[6]

In 2024, Webb co-founded Messy, a hair care brand focused on natural texture and self-acceptance, serving as Co-CEO.^[3] The venture represents her return to the hair care industry with a focus on embracing natural hair textures.^[3]

Webb has received numerous industry recognitions for her entrepreneurial achievements. Fast Company named her to its "100 Most Creative People in Business" list in 2013, and Fortune included her in its "40 Under 40" list the same year.^[6] Marie Claire recognized her as one of "16 Most Fascinating Women" in 2011.^[6]

Ernst & Young named Webb an "Entrepreneur Of The Year" finalist in 2016, and Inc. Magazine included her in its "100 Women Building America's Most Innovative and Ambitious Businesses" list.^[6] The beauty industry trade organization CEW presented her with an Achiever Award in 2014.^[6]

Webb is a frequent speaker at business and entrepreneurship events and has been featured on various podcasts including Masters of Scale.^[5] She authored "The Drybar Guide To Good Hair For All," which became a New York Times bestseller, and published her memoir "The Messy Truth" in 2023.^[3]

Webb has two sons, Grant and Kit.^[6] She was previously married to Cameron Webb, who served as the advertising creative for the Drybar brand, and married Adrian Koehler in 2022.^[6] Her business partner and brother Michael Landau was initially skeptical of entering the hair business, being bald himself.^[6]

Webb has been open about her personal struggles with mental health during Drybar's rapid growth period, which she detailed in her 2023 memoir "The Messy Truth."^[3] She currently resides in Los Angeles.^[6]