Piersten Gaines, while attending Harvard Business School, noticed a gap in the salon industry. Inspired by blowout bars like Drybar, which offered a standardized experience regardless of location, Gaines realized that this level of consistency was lacking for Black women with textured hair. Reflecting on her own negative salon experiences, she envisioned a chain of blowout bars specifically catering to textured hair.
During a class presentation, Gaines pitched her idea to Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary and received positive feedback, further fueling her determination to bring her concept to life. After graduating, she embarked on the journey of turning her idea into reality, founding the salon chain Pressed Roots.
Pressed Roots initially started with pop-ups in 2018, gradually gaining traction and expanding its presence. Today, the salon chain boasts two locations in Dallas, with plans for three more outside the city. Gaines’s vision for Pressed Roots is to provide a welcoming and reliable salon experience for individuals with textured hair, ensuring that every customer feels confident and satisfied with their service, regardless of which chair they sit in.
Gaines’s entrepreneurial journey with Pressed Roots has been supported by substantial funding, with a reported $3.1 million raised from investors, as first reported by Fortune. Notable backers of Pressed Roots include tennis sensation Naomi Osaka, former HP CEO Meg Whitman, and former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. Gaines forged connections with these investors through the backing of Slauson & Co., a firm that facilitated introductions to angel investors.
Investors were drawn to Gaines’s keen identification of an underserved market and the strong loyalty of her customer base. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gaines observed that her target demographic remained committed to hair care, recognizing the essential nature of their grooming routines. This resilience resonated with investors, highlighting the consistent demand and significant spending power within this demographic.
At Pressed Roots, the signature service is the silk blowout, offered at a competitive price point of $75. Setting itself apart, the salon ensures a standardized experience across all locations, with hairstylists undergoing rigorous training through the chain’s own program and working as employees rather than independent contractors. Gaines emphasizes the importance of providing quality hair care that matches the financial investment made by customers, striving to make premium salon services accessible to all.