Built to Shine Podcast
Built to Shine is a podcast focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building purpose-driven businesses. Host Vanessa Yakobson, CEO of Blo Blow Dry Bar, interviews franchisees and industry leaders about growing and scaling with intention. Episodes cover the realities of early entrepreneurship, team culture, franchising, resilience, and growth. The show blends personal stories with practical business strategy for those building something or leading teams.
Episodes
How You Turn A Slow Start Into Steady Growth
In this episode of the Built to Shine Podcast, host Vanessa Yakobson sits down with Pragati and Rahul Patel 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 entrepreneuri
Inside a Husband-and-Wife Franchise
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 cons
What It Really Takes to Become an Entrepreneur
Andrea Lombardi shares her path from seven-year Blo customer to multi-unit franchise operator, detailing what it takes to build a thriving location. She breaks down team mindset, hiring for culture over technical skill, daily payroll percentage tracking, and setting Wildly Important Goals (WIGs). Andrea offers an honest look at managing a Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise alongside a corporate career and
How to Build a Business in Your 20s: Becoming a Multi-Unit Franchise Owner
Noah Yakobson explains why he left a corporate career at 25 and the steps he took to become a multi-unit franchise owner. He shares his perspective on buying an existing business and managing a team in the beauty industry. He talks about financial discipline, delegation, and the mindset needed for ownership.
Why I Chose Franchising Over Corporate
Jean Camilletti shares her journey from high-level fashion executive to successful multi-unit Blo Blow Dry Bar owner. She tells the story of her transition from corporate pressure to local business ownership and the resilience needed to survive tough times. This conversation covers the importance of brand systems, people management, and community impact.
The Mindset Behind Every Successful Business
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 t
Building a Business Through People
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 h
Building Success Through Responsibility and Risk
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.
Leading with Intention
In this episode of Built to Shine, Vanessa sits down with Jessica Carothers, owner of Blo Albuquerque and multiple beauty businesses, to talk about what it really takes to grow sustainable businesses through people-first leadership. Jessica shares her unconventional path from education to entrepreneurship, the hard lessons she learned while opening three businesses in three years, and how vulnerab
Change your mindset, grow your business
In this episode of Built to Shine, Vanessa Yakobson sits down with Marissa Torres, owner of Blo Daly City, for an honest conversation about what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes.Marissa shares her journey from corporate work into franchise ownership, including the confidence that pushed her to take the leap, the self doubt that followed, and the mindset shift that ultimately ch
