STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Marie Lynch, an executive in the corporate world for many years and the busy mother of four grown children, often found it difficult to get her hair blown out by a professional stylist.

The time to make an appointment and physically get to her favorite salon was tough to squeeze into her busy schedule.

That's when she decided to pursue her long-held dream of owning her own business.

"I'm sure other women feel the same as me," Lynch added. "And I realized this [a blow dry bar, which is a place where women can get their hair blown out outside of their regular salon] would be a great thing for the [Dongan Hills] area because we don't have anything like this."

She began looking for a location -- close to her Dongan Hills home -- where she could open up "Blown."

Soon after, she was getting her nails done in a Dongan Hills salon, and overheard the owner say she was moving to a neighboring storefront.

"I went right over to the owner and said, 'I'll take it'," said Lynch. "I knew exactly what I wanted to do. ...I went home and told my husband I was opening a business."

A FAMILY AFFAIR

And with the help of her family -- from her sons developing the store logo and daughter helping with the day-to-day operations, to her husband washing down the floors every night -- she was able to get the salon up and running in just one month.

Through social media and word of mouth, the Lynch family quickly created a buzz about the business.

After opening in December, the salon already has 300 clients and contacts, said Lynch.

CHALLENGES



Having never owned a business before, Lynch said: "It was all a learning process for me."

She started by taking out a small business loan and draining her life savings.

"I spent a lot of time on my business plan; I never wrote one in my life, so I did a lot of research. Then I took a lot of how I felt about this, and how I thought this could go. They [the lender] loved it and gave me the maximum line of credit," she said.

"I'm a really good multi-tasker. I can do this and other things at the same time," she said.

WHY GO TO A BLOW OUT BAR?

In addition to getting your hair blown out outside your regular salon, Blown offers up-dos, makeup and eyelash extensions.

"When you come here your stylist will greet you at the door. She will wash your hair and style it. She'll serve you coffee or a glass of wine. If it's raining, we will give you an umbrella to go to your car," said Lynch.

TWO IMPORTANT ISSUES

An animal activist, Lynch wanted to only use products that aren't tested on animals.

She also wanted to make sure she created a sleek, clean look with a black-and-white stripped motif in the salon.

Upon seeing her dream come to fruition, she said it's both "amazing and stressful. ..It's a feeling of accomplishment when I open the door.. I never thought I could get it done."

See inside Blown, Blow Dry Experience in Dongan Hills 9 Gallery: See inside Blown, Blow Dry Experience in Dongan Hills

BLOWN, BLOW DRY EXPERIENCE AT A GLANCE

Address: 1582 Richmond Rd., Dongan Hills

Website: blown-inc.com



Social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlownStatenIsland



Instagram @blowninc



New Businesses in Focus is a weekly column that relates the stories of new Staten Island businesses owners.

If you have a new business on Staten Island, e-mail porpora@siadvance.com.

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