For Amber Sams, owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar in Argyle, Texas, entrepreneurship is rooted in people-first leadership and a passion for helping women feel their best. After decades overseeing 54 Walgreens stores and working in real estate, her weekly “hair-apy” visits to Blo became the spark to open her own bar in July 2025. In just a few months, she has already surpassed early membership projections and built a fast-growing business grounded in authenticity, team culture, and community engagement. In this Q&A, Amber shares her path to franchising, lessons learned from her first months in business, and the leadership philosophies guiding her every day.
Can you tell us about your professional background prior to joining Blo Blow Dry Bar?
In the beginning of my career, I served as district manager for Walgreens, I was overseeing cosmetics in 54 stores across the Dallas North and Dallas East territories. That role gave me hands on experience in staff relationships, management, vendor partnerships, and most importantly customer service.
For the past twenty years, I worked in residential real estate. This experience expanded my entrepreneurial mindset, sharpened my ability to build relationships, and proved the importance of staying adaptable. Both chapters of my career led me to be fully equipped for franchise ownership.
What motivated you to pursue franchise entrepreneurship with Blo Blow Dry Bar?
Prior to ever considering ownership, I was a Blo client for years. Every week I went in for my routine “hair-apy” appointment, which became an important part of my personal wellness routine.
My grandmother was a weekly beauty shop regular, so I learned to value love and self-care from a young age. The experience at Blo is far more elevated than the salons of her time, but the feeling of connection and walking out with new confidence is the same.
Owning a Blo Blow Dry Bar was a natural fit. It blends my love of beauty, my leadership experience, and my passion for empowering other women to feel their best. Being able to recreate that sense of confidence for clients feels incredibly meaningful.
What strategies helped you achieve a strong opening, particularly from a hiring and leadership standpoint?
First and foremost, I focused on building a team that feels like family. I believe in my team wholeheartedly and invest deeply in their growth. Leading with love and celebrating their wins creates an environment where they feel supported.
Just like we work to boost our clients’ confidence, I want my stylists to feel that same sense of empowerment every day. Watching their skills, spirit, and self-assurance grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. My goal is for every team member to flourish, whether they stay with me long-term or take what they’ve learned into future opportunities. If I can play even a small role in their professional trajectory, that’s true success to me.
What challenges have you faced in your first months of business, and how did you navigate them?
One of the hardest lessons for new business owners is learning when to let someone go. One wrong fit can quickly impact the morale of the entire team. It’s never enjoyable, but it’s part of business ownership that is essential for protecting culture and ensuring the bar’s energy stays positive.
Communication and trust are foundational. Clients can feel the energy the moment they walk in. When the team is aligned, connected, and supported, the client experience reflects that.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far as a franchisee?
Be present, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Your team and your clients look to you for leadership and stability, especially during the inevitable stressful moments.
It’s also crucial to take care of yourself. You can’t pour into others if you’re running on empty. I’ve leaned heavily on my family, friends, business coach, and team during tough moments. No one succeeds alone.
Finally, stay grounded in your “why.” When challenges arise, reconnecting with the purpose behind your business helps you stay committed and calm.
How do you stay involved in your community, and why is this important for franchise owners?
Community involvement has always been part of who I am. I’ve been active in PTA, charities, club committees, women’s groups, and local networking organizations for years. Being engaged in your community matters whether or not you own a business. People want to support someone they know and trust.
Collaborating with local businesses in fun, creative ways has been a major factor to our success. Even if we’re not the ones gaining a new client from the partnership, it still feels good to uplift another business owner in the community. And often, they’re eager to return the favor.
What advice would you offer to aspiring franchisees or entrepreneurs in general?
The best advice I can give is to stay in your own lane. Don’t compare yourself to other salons or competitors. Focus on your business, your team, your clients, and your energy. Comparison drains your battery faster than anything.
It’s also important to create structure, develop habits, and stay organized. If Monday is your inventory and ordering day, protect that routine and build a weekly cadence for all essential tasks. When you let things slip, that’s when you end up feeling like your hair is on fire—and in this industry, that’s never a good look.
Entrepreneurship takes energy, intention, and resilience. Be thoughtful about where you put your time and emotional investment.
What’s next for you and your Blo Blow Dry Bar location?
I’m focused on continuing to strengthen our culture, refine our operations, and expand our local partnerships. Long term, my goal is to deepen our involvement within the community and keep building a space where guests and team members feel valued, supported, and welcomed.