Blo Blow Dry Bar Expands into New Hampshire with Beauty Industry Veteran

Gardner brings nearly two decades of beauty industry leadership to the venture. She earned a master's degree in business management and spent 19 years in global procurement at a leading prestige beauty company in New York, where she held leadership roles across multiple brands. After relocating to New Hampshire with her family, Gardner set out to stay connected to the beauty industry while building a business of her own, and chose to franchise with Blo for its proven success and established support.

"I'm thrilled to be growing the original blow dry bar concept throughout New Hampshire," said Gardner. "As a customer, Blo always had a different feel than anywhere else I'd been. I'm intentionally building this business around the guest experience and local community, and I'm excited to create a welcoming space where our clients look and feel their best."

Gardner plans to bring a team-first leadership philosophy to her bars, shaped in part by her background as a college soccer player. "As a leader, it's important to motivate the people around you. You're only as good as your team," she said. She intends to be a hands-on, positive presence for her stylists and to make sure they know about the education, training and growth opportunities Blo offers beyond the chair.

Community involvement will be a cornerstone of Gardner's approach to business. She has started to build relationships with local organizations, including Greet Bedford and Greet Windham, and plans to partner with other small businesses to cross-refer clients. She also intends to prioritize support for local fundraisers and schools.

"Marissa's leadership and dedication to building something meaningful for her community make her exactly the kind of franchise partner we look for at Blo," said Vanessa Yakobson, CEO of Blo Blow Dry Bar. "We couldn't be more excited to welcome her to the Blo family as she brings our brand to New Hampshire."