On The Fence About Going Independent?

Independent salon owners at Sola have many things in common—each individual is running a business, marketing themselves, manageing a clientele and creating a unique and personal brand experience. Most importantly, they have chosen to create a home for their business in a salon studio environement at Sola. 

For many of you, and for most of our Faces of Sola, it was a no-brainer. You knew right away the Sola life was the one you wanted to live. But it isn’t uncommon to be unsure and sit on the fence wondering if taking the leap of faith is the right thing to do. We asked our 2018 and 2019 Faces of Sola a simple question: What would you say to a room full of beauty professionals who were on the fence about joining Sola?

Here’s what each one had to say:

Chissel Espinal, Chissel Beauty Studio // 2019 Faces of Sola

“Don't think about it. Just do it. Everything is in black and white. What you see is what you're going to get. You get an amazing team, behind the scene, in front of the scene, the other studios, everybody's there for you. You think you're going into business for yourself, but you're definitely not by yourself. You have an amazing Sola Pro app that helps you with education and business tips. When you go out on your own, the sky is the limit.”

LaShonda Banks, Tress Elite Salon // 2018 Faces of Sola

“The business model that has been created by Sola for beauty pros is true. You’re in business for yourself, but you’re not by yourself. Not to take away from those people who are business savvy and have successful salons on their own, but it really is so helpful to have someone you can go back to help you and answer questions. It’s great to have Sola as a resource. They have been consistent since the day I signed my lease and that was 11 years ago. They have high standards and if there is a problem, it is taken care of right away. I also know that if I want to turn my key and go on vacation for a month, when I get back and turn my key, the condition of my Sola is going to be the same way the day I left it. I don’t have to worry about those kinds of things that a traditional salon owner would have to. It truly is one less thing that I have to worry about because Sola is a support system.”

Elom Thompson, Elom's Hair Studio // 2019 Faces of Sola

“Don't be scared. It can be nerve wracking like the first time doing something, but Sola is there for you. They always support you. Just be determined. Determination can do anything. Just say, ‘This is what I'm gonna do,’ and know that you have great support.”

Ashley Lantz, TressPassing Salon // 2018 Faces of Sola

“It’s not as scary as you think it and it benefits your clients as well as your own well-being. It gives your clients an environment that is more personal and 100% your own creative space.”

JayR Mallari, Legacy Barber Studio // 2019 Faces of Sola

“Find the courage within yourself to be the best version of yourself, to really take leaps of faith because that's what's going to take it to the next level.”

Alex Sylvester, Edge by Alex Sylvester // 2018 Faces of Sola

“I would first ask them why they are scared and then I would tell them to just go and do it!”

Kayla Valerio, Studio V // 2019 Faces of Sola

“One hundred percent to do it. It's not going to be an easy road and it's going to be tough at times and you're probably going to wonder, ‘Why did I do this?’ But at the end of the day, it is so rewarding. You can be whoever you want to be. No one is ever judging you on the sidelines. It's just you and your space and your energy and your clients. And it’s really just completely transformed my life as a stylist. If you're wondering whether or not to join, so I would say 100% do it.”

Mahogany Plautz, Carve Salon // 2018 Faces of Sola

“I think everyone would have a different reason why they would be on the fence. I would say do it better than anybody else. Commission salons are great for those people who need structure. Booth rentals are great for someone who doesn’t really need someone to tell them how to run their business, but they are people who need to be around others. If you are very focused and you have reached a point where you are unhireable by other salons, and if you have a dream of really being in charge of your own self and your own success and your own failure and everything, then do it.” 

Joey Figuierdo, Daicy Figuierdo // 2019 Faces of Sola

“It's exciting and scary at the same time. But you have to know that you have a lot of support, even if you don't think you do. There's a lot of people around you that really want to see you succeed. Even though we're individual stylists, we can ask questions and we all bring something new to the table.”

Polly Sanders-Peterson, Polly & Company // 2018 Faces of Sola

“Oh my God, it’s the best thing you could ever do! If you have some clientele, it’s a great place for you because you can have the freedom of running your own business without the overhead. There are people who can help you grow and build your business. Remember, you are not alone. The people who own Sola really care about us.”

Kelsey Morris, Studio K Salon // 2019 Faces of Sola

“You're in your own studio, but it really becomes your own little oasis. So honestly, best decision ever. Hands down. I'm just so grateful that I made the switch.”

Morgan Cameron, Enlightened Beauty // 2018 Faces of Sola

“If you have a business plan and you’re on the fence and feeling a little insecure about it, then I would say don’t hold yourself back. Don’t think you can’t because then you won’t. Have confidence in yourself. Also, don’t limit yourself because if there is something you really want to do, you will figure out a way.”

Nelly Weeks, Voyage de Splendeur // 2019 Faces of Sola

“It's just such a beautiful community that we have that I would just recommend any professional in the beauty industry to join Sola because it's not just a place where you rent a suite, it's so much more. It’s community, it’s support, it’s training. It's so much more than just renting a suite.”

Jennifer LaVigne, Jennifer LaVigne Hair Studio // 2018 Faces of Sola

“I would say that you are missing out. I know the biggest concern is ‘how about walk-ins’ or ‘how about education?’ The funny thing is, I have gotten more new clients at Sola than I did working for someone else. And I’ve been able to sign myself up for amazing classes! What Sola has given me is full control. There is nothing like being in full control of your business, and how you put yourself out there, and how you market yourself.”

Rona Bunch, Rona Bunch Inc // 2019 Faces of Sola

“The reason why I've been able to live the life that I have the last four years is because of Sola Salon Studios because I get to make it mine. It's what I believe. It's my mission statement. It's my brand. It allows me to be able to get out and do whatever I want to do and be able to make that difference in other people's lives.”

Amanda Fagan, Saba Salon // 2018 Faces of Sola

“My heart flutters with the thought of being able to do that. I would say if you think you should, you should. If there is any part of you that wants to, then absolutely do it. I could preach from the rooftops how incredible running my business inside Sola has been. Explore it, take a tour, and fall in love with those sliding doors!”

Roxanne Muir, Roxanne Muir  // 2019 Faces of Sola

“Think about it, dream about it and then do just a teeny little bit of research. Make sure you know where your numbers are coming from, how much you're making and how much you could be making.”

Christopher Matthew, Dillinger’s Hair Company // 2018 Faces of Sola

“You have to really think about a few things before you jump into it. Do you have the clientele and the price point to sustain? Do you have a cushion to help you build clients? Do you have a plan to build your clientele? If you don’t want to be in a large shop or you want to do your own thing and build your own brand, Sola is perfect for you.”

Tiffany Martincic, The Tan Banana // 2019 Faces of Sola

Tiffany had a job at a successful corporate accounting firm when she decided to leave it all to pursue her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She now owns three locations for The Tan Banana in two different states! Tiffany said, “It's never too late to start over. Just because you're successful and doing well in one career path, doesn't mean that you can't switch courses.”

Ready to make the leap? Contact us today and check out these tips for Sola newbies to help get you started!