Arts
In episode thirty nine of the Glow Journal podcast, host Gemma Watts sits down with the founder of The Blow, Phoebe Simmonds. Nobody knows branding, nor the intricacies of the global beauty industry, like Phoebe Simmonds. Phoebe’s career in beauty began the day she marched up to her local Body Shop store, resume in hand, aged 14 and 9 months. While at university, Phoebe began working at Melbourne’s Mecca headquarters and, on graduating, moved to London for a role at NUDE Skincare- a brand partially owned by Bono. NUDE was only in its infancy when Phoebe joined the team, so she played an instrumental role in cementing the brand’s global presence. Around two years in to Phoebe’s four year stint at NUDE, the brand was acquired by LVMH and placed under the guidance of Parfums Christian Dior and so, Phoebe’s education in discipline and in brand DNA begun. 2013 saw Phoebe move to Singapore for a role with Benefit Cosmetics, also beneath the LVMH umbrella, with this role eventually taking her to London and, finally, back to Australia. Those who know beauty know that Benefit is one of the most recognisable brands on the planet, and that is largely thanks to the brand’s DNA- a concept Phoebe is, sincerely, an expert in. It was in October of 2017 that the idea for The Blow first hit Phoebe. Having spent time in the US in her Benefit role, Phoebe had seen first hand how many professional women were relying on blow drys to feel, in her words, more “polished, presentable and powerful”. Acutely aware of the confidence that comes from looking great, Phoebe sought to find a similar service in Australia- one that provided a consistent service, in a convenient location, at a competitive price and housed within a space that inspires. On finding nothing that fulfilled all she was looking for, Phoebe resolved to create a space of her own. The Blow opened in September 2018 and has since become the nations premium blow dry experience and one of my very favourite places- a space I personally visit each and every time I need a hit of confidence. Later this year, the next evolution of The Blow will come to fruition- The Blow On The Go blow dry bars inside Sephora locations in Sydney and Melbourne, bringing Phoebe one step closer to national hair domination.In this conversation, Phoebe shares exactly what goes in to developing a truly unique brand DNA, why creating a community that inspires beyond your own business is essential, and the non-negotiable first step every brand founder must take. PURCHASE A GIFT CARD FOR THE BLOW HERE: https://squareup.com/gift/TF3VFMV6G1WHB/orderYou can read this interview now at: glowjournal.com/Follow The Blow on Instagram at @theblowaustraliaFind out more about The Blow at https://theblow.com.au/Stay up to date with Gemma on Instagram at @gemkwatts and @glow.journal, or get in touch at hello@gemkwatts.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.