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10 Things You'll Miss If You're Not in Chicago
Posted on June 12, 2018
Sola Salon Studios
The Chicago Sola Sessions is shaping up to be the biggest Sessions ever! With an education lineup that rivals the biggest shows in the industry, breakout classes from our vendor partners, a gorgeous venue in the heart of Chicago, a Leading Ladies panel, and so much more. Check out the below for 10 reasons why you should mark your calendar and join us for the 2018 Chicago Sola Sessions!
And if you haven't bought your ticket yet, we have a few left.
1. Education from Industry Legends
Robert Cromeans and Mary Cuomo (Paul Mitchell)
As Paul Mitchell's Global Artistic & Business Director, Robert Cromeans's innovative artistry and business strategies have inspired hairdressers around the globe for decades. He will be joined on the Sessions stage by Mary Cuomo, one of Paul Mitchell's most sought-after internationals how artists. Together, they will deliver a dynamic cut, color, and style creations.
In addition to Artistic, Robert will also share his keys to financial success in a 30-minute segment on retailing and business.
Evie Johnson and Jamal Edmonds (Mizani)
As Master Stylist for Mizani's International Development Team, Evie Johnson specializes in hair shaping, color, and treatment. She educates on cutting-edge styling techniques and is a true master of her craft.
For more than 20 years, Jamal Edmonds has created buzz in the hair industry teaching specialized advanced theory classes. And as a Sola owner himself, he understands the Sola community and what it means to be an independent salon owner.
John Mosley (Hattori Hanzo Shears)
Known under the alias @popular_nobody, John Mosley has evolved into an internationally acclaimed barber. With a client list that includes the likes of Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, John has leveraged his 14 years of experience to build a successful brand and will bring his knowledge of barbering and shaving to the Sessions stage.
2. Business & Marketing Education to Elevate Your Salon and Increase Business
As a salon owner at Sola, you're a true jack-of-all-trades: business owner, marketer, creative director, accountant, and much more! That's why we're dedicating the entire morning to inspiration, business and marketing.
Nina Kovner (Passion Squared) will teach you how to build your brand, establish a loyal clientele, and clearly identify your brand purpose; Terri Cowan (Professional Salon Concepts) will deliver salon etiquette best practices; and Jennie Wolff (Sola Salon Studios) will guide you through an integrated approach to marketing, as well as educate on the importance of leaning into Sola's programs and technology.
3. Leading Ladies Panel
Get ready for a star-studded, candid panel discussion with some of the most iconic and legendary ladies in the beauty industry! Beth Minardi, Jenny Strebe, Tracey Hughes, Kris Sorbie and Najah Aziz will join forces as the Leading Ladies and tackle issues they face as strong women in the industry - and as wives, mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, educators, and philanthropists.
Gordon Miller, CEO of Hairbrained, will be the token male on stage as the panel's moderator.
4. Sunday Classes with John Mosley and The Business of Balayage
Join John Mosley on Sunday afternoon for a 2-hour men's and women's cutting class at the Blackstone Hotel. For all you history buffs, here's a little fun tidbit about the Blackstone: The hotel's barbershop (the same one John will teach in) is the same one frequented by infamous mobster Al Capone - complete with marble floors and his old barber chair.
Also at the Blackstone on Sunday at 10 AM, The Business Of Balayage is bringing an exclusive version of one of their most popular classes to the Sola family. Stylists who attend the session will go home with a goodie bag loaded with some of BOB's favorite tools used behind the chair, valued at over $150! This hands-on class will dive into fun, creative and fast ways to transform the looks of your clients with wearable hair. The course is focused on four different placement techniques covering converting brunettes to blondes, creating a roadmap for achieving diffused and dimensional blondes for over-blonded clients, the art of a root smudge for natural looking yet vibrant blonde, and finally reverse balayage techniques to add depth for a blended and low-maintenance look.
This course is being offered at an exclusive rate for Sola Professionals.
5. Vendor Expo on Sunday Evening
Stop by VenueSIX10 on Sunday evening for some pre-event mingling and shopping! Check out the event space, pick up your SWAG bag, and enjoy a cocktail while you browse the vendor tables.
The vendor expo will also be open all day on Monday and is a perfect way to learn more about our event partners. We'll have representatives from OPI, Muse Beauty, Hattori Hanzo Shears, SolaGenius, SalonCentric, Professional Salon Concepts, and more!
6. Side Sessions Stage
Why have just one stage of education when you can have two? Check out the Side Sessions for makeup tutorials from Muse Beauty, braiding and updos from Jenny Strebe, and skincare education from Bioelements.
7. Community
This is by far the biggest Sola Sessions to date! At past events, we've had people from 20 states represented. The Sessions is the perfect place to tap into our fabulous community of movers and shakers. Take it from Dawn Balas, who attended the most recent Sola Sessions in West Palm Beach: "The Sessions connects you with more than day-to-day studio life. It makes you feel part of a big supportive community. Everyone is part of a family! Plus, having access to products and tools was a huge plus. It was inspiring and rejuvenating!"
8. Live Music from Local Chicago Musician
We're pulling out all the stops for this event - and that includes adding live music to the happy hour! Stop by the reception for apps, a drink (first one's on us!), and smooth jams from Chicago musician Phillip-Michael Scales.
9. SWAG Bag, Prizes, and Giveaways
Our event partners are always incredibly generous - and this Sessions will be no exception. Not only will you leave the Sessions equipped to run your Sola like a boss, you'll also walk away with a swag bag overflowing with awesome goodies.
10. Chicago
If you'd like to make a weekend out of the Sessions (and we suggest you do), there's really no better place to do this than Chicago! Amazing food? You bet. History and culture? Of course. Shopping? Some of the best in the world! And with a lake (and beautiful lakeshore promenade), a baseball stadium that enchants even non-baseball fans, a river through the middle of the city with architecture tours, and Millennium Park (right across the street from the Sessions venue) with tons of weekend concerts, it's no surprise Chicago is one of the most visited cities in the world.
The event is almost sold out but we have a very limited amount remaining!
