Seedrs alum Blow LTD. announced on Friday it secured 3.5 million from Unilever Ventures to expand its beauty services. This news comes nearly one year after the company raised £1,345,530 through the UK-based equity crowdfunding platform.
As previously reported, Blow LTD. was co-founded by Fiona McIntosh (ex-Editor-in-Chief of Grazia and ELLE) and Dharmash Mistry. The company has delivered well over 70,000 services with a consumer satisfaction score of 90% and is available from 7 a.m. to late evening hours through its app. Its stylists are vetted and tested at its beauty bar hubs, and all “on demand” professions are insured, CRB/identity checked and registered as self-employed. Customers can order the products through the app or go to Blow’s flagship beauty bars (Covent Garden or Canary Wharf). Stephen Willson, investment director at Unilever Ventures, revealed during the Seedrs funding round:
“Blow LTD. is a leading player in Beauty Services on Demand in Europe, with a unique multi-channel model, comprehensive operational processes focused on quality of service delivery and innovative two-way marketplace technology. Dharmash and Fiona are reinventing the service experience and ultimately creating a new route for product distribution. We are excited to partner with them and provide access to Unilever’s assets, ecosystem and expertise.”
As part of its expansion, Blow LTD. announced its On Demand beauty services will launch in Manchester and Birmingham, next month. The services will offer busy women the opportunity to order expert blow dries, make-up and nail services to their homes, hotels or offices from 7 am until late. The company also noted that this expansion will secure its position as the clear UK market leader in on-demand beauty services, having delivered over 120,000 expert beauty services to date, with a satisfaction score of more than 95%. The company also acquired Return to Glory consumer business and has extended its services in London from every ready to maintenance and wellbeing services.
Blow LTD. also announced the appointment of new CEO Brian Hickey, who brings a wealth of valuable experience to the company. He stated:
“I am delighted to join the team at blow LTD. at such an exciting time in our evolution. Our refusal to compromise on customer delight and determination to personalise the salon experience have helped to establish blow LTD. as the UK market leader in beauty on demand. Having refined the operational model in London, it is now time to kick off our ambitious expansion plans which will allow us to bring expert beauty services to the homes of time poor women in Manchester, Birmingham and in the near future, international cities.”
Mistry, who is currently CEO, will become Chairman of blow LTD and continue to lead the Board, while McIntosh remains as co-founder and creative director. Willson will also join the board.
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