When Angela Hall opened location on Vancouver Island, she was taking a big leap into the unknown. But getting to build connections with her community and help them look and feel their best has made it all worthwile.
After 15 years working as a real estate conveyancer and two years of working from home during the pandemic, Angela wanted to 鈥渟hake up [her] career entirely.鈥�
She鈥檇 always loved hair care, as well as the convenience of getting blowouts at blow dry bars while travelling, rather than having to pack all her hair tools and products.
鈥淥ne time my husband鈥攚ho is bald鈥攁sked if the salon I was going to really only did hair styling. He thought it was a great idea and asked if Victoria had something like it. 鈥楾here鈥檚 a business opportunity for you!鈥� he joked.鈥�
But Angela started taking that joke more seriously after her husband happened to meet one of the original founders of Blo (which first opened in Vancouver in 2007 and now has franchises in Canada, the US and the Philippines). She decided to reach out to them about opening a franchise in Victoria.
鈥淚 love the way I feel when my hair looks its best鈥攜ou have an extra pep in your step. I wanted to share that feeling with the women in Victoria.鈥�
While the idea of leaving a long-term job that she loved and becoming a self-employed business owner felt terrifying at first, Angela says, facing her fears has paid off.
鈥淚 can have major imposter syndrome and doubt my own abilities, but my best friend gave me a big, resounding 鈥楧O IT!鈥欌��
So, with the support of Blo鈥檚 corporate team, she opened the doors of her space in The Bay Centre in February 2022.
Since then, Angela has found her groove by 鈥渞eminding myself I am capable, [taking things] one day at a time, and not getting overwhelmed when things don鈥檛 go as planned鈥 just kept telling myself to trust the process, and to put one foot in front of the next.鈥�
She also stresses that she couldn鈥檛 do it without her talented team. 鈥淸They have] been amazing at cultivating a feel-good vibe in the bar鈥t鈥檚 empowering to be surrounded by women who support women and want to make them feel good inside and out.鈥�
Angela moved to Victoria from up-island when she was 14, and aside from brief stints in Vancouver and Montreal, she鈥檚 been there ever since. It鈥檚 no surprise, then, that what she loves most about her work at Blo is the relationships she and her team have already built with their community.
鈥淲e have been told many times that Blo has become our clients鈥� escape from the day to day. We have belly laughed with our clients, and have shed a few tears as well. Giving back to the community has also been an unexpected joy, and I plan to further our philanthropic efforts.鈥�
Asked about her essential ingredients for a good hair day, Angela answered, 鈥淚 love the main line we carry in the bar, called Unite. Their products smell so good!鈥�
Sleeping on a satin pillowcase and using a good dry shampoo are also key to making a blowout last all week, she added.
鈥淎nd of course, booking in at Blo for all of it!鈥�
Outside of work, Angela loves spending time with her husband, two kids (ages 10 and 13) and two dogs, and having regular happy hour catch-ups with her girlfriends.
鈥淚 like when the people I care about are happy,鈥� she says, and it鈥檚 clear that with Blo Victoria, she has created a space where happiness鈥攁nd great hair days鈥攃an be found in abundance.
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
I am not big on envy, but I do think it would be fun to spend a week as Sophia Loren in the 1960s. Her charisma, her confidence and her appeal would be fun to experience.
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over and over again?
I love a good French fry. And thanks to where we live, I love fresh seafood. Prawns, salmon, tuna, oysters, you name it.
Greed:
You鈥檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
Travel. I love everything about it, from researching the destination to booking the flights and accommodations, and then actually enjoying the trip. New cultures, new languages, new food鈥攜es to all of it.
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
People who are rude and unkind, especially to anyone who works in the service and hospitality industry. Use your manners, tip well and be a decent human being. (Also, stirring new peanut butter.)
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
My bed. There is nothing better than waking up on a Sunday morning in fresh, crisp white bedding with a coffee and the sunshine pouring into my bedroom.
Pride:
What is the one thing you鈥檙e secretly proud of?
I have a very good memory. I always remember birthdays, and I could probably tell you what you wore on yours 10 years ago. And I am great at music bingo, especially the 鈥�60s and 鈥�70s categories.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
Nothing beats a good date. Good wine, a good meal with great conversation, and the gazing eye contact over candlelight.
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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