MyBestFriendsHair.com Matches Chicago Women With Their Perfect Stylist

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Feb 28, 2012) - Chicagoans care a lot about their hair. This is the clear conclusion from the tremendous local response to MyBestFriendsHair.com, the popular website launched last July that has quickly become the Match.com for finding a perfect hairstylist. Incorporating unbiased reviews about hair stylists and information about hairdos and hair products, MyBestFriendsHair.com has grown overall more than 300 percent in unique visitors just since January, according to Janell Shaffer, co-founder and CEO. The site, the only one dedicated to matching customers with stylists based on specialties, has experienced over 250 percent growth in the last month from the Chicago area alone.

Shaffer is in town to attend the America's Beauty Show at McCormick Place, one of the nation's leading conventions for the beauty industry. "Hair is an industry that doesn't decline, even in a recession. In fact, during the worst of the recession -- from 2008 to 2009 -- this industry grew by 8 percent which is remarkable," she stated. "But people in Chicago take this to another level, based on the terrific response we've seen here."

The site is now going public with a new interface and new features following a six-month limited beta focused on the Indianapolis metropolitan area, where the company is headquartered.

Tech Meets Beauty

Savvy stylists today are using modern technology and the internet as tools to enhance and promote their businesses. And, with consumers now so accustomed to using the web as their personal concierge, the timing was right for a matching service for women and stylists. In addition to customer reviews, the site delivers salon listings with services and price details, makeovers, celebrity hair news and more.

"Our concept was to take that 'I love your hair' conversation to the social web," explains Shaffer. The site lets visitors find stylists providing a wide range of specialties beyond the usual -- short, long, curly, thick -- such as those with expertise in ethnic hair, extensions, bridal up-dos and other requirements.

Given the strong interest in technology tools by salons and stylists, Shaffer along with co-founder and CMO, Danielle McDowell will conduct "Beauty Meets Technology" classes at the America's Beauty show that utilize their background in IT. In addition, MyBestFriendsHair.com is also releasing "Style Finder," a free mobile app that provides stylists a professional and friendly platform for initial client consultations as well as a system to manage and maintain client contacts and information.

Sharing Hair Stories

Currently the site has more than 20,000 salons and thousands of stylists registered. Customers are urged to post reviews -- good and bad -- and share information about their experiences with their stylists. Stylist members are also invited to upload photos of their haircuts, color or other hair-related services.

"I think word of mouth is absolutely the best way to get referrals and MyBestFriendsHair.com is the online forum for this kind of conversation," said Joshua Agan, a stylist member in Indianapolis. "I certainly want my clients to be happy with the results and encourage them to make comments and show pictures. It has undoubtedly helped to grow my business since I opened my flagship salon in October 2011."

For more information, visit www.mybestfriendshair.com

About MyBestFriendsHair.com

MyBestFriendsHair.com is the only place to go to find a perfect hairstylist match. The site is a destination for customers to rave or dish about their hair stylists -- bringing that familiar conversation onto the web for all to share. In addition to unbiased reviews from hairstylist customers, the site allows for stylist searches based on such categories as expertise, geographic location, type of hair, price or services. Photo portfolios of stylists' work are also posted on the site. MyBestFriendsHair.com also offers a free app for stylist members, Style Finder. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, the company was founded in 2011 and has received its first round of investments. For more information, visit www.mybestfriendshair.com.