The Pros Know: 10 Tips for Going Independent

Whenever we talk with our Sola Pros, they always say the same thing: that they wish they’d made the leap to open their own space sooner. But the fact of the matter is, starting something new can be scary. If you’ve been on the fence about going solo, you’re not alone. Sometimes getting started can be the hardest part, that’s why we asked some of our Faces of Sola for the tips they wish they’d known when they were thinking about going out on their own.

1.) Do your research: “Step into the seat as the client. Go into places that are considered to be the top, the best in the area - salons, spas, boutiques, hotels. As you're creating your space, think, ‘How do I take those things and apply them to my business?’ - Ryan Sanger  

2.) Set a clear vision: “Make sure you know the types of services that you want to offer and types of people that you want to attract to your business. The more that you market to those clients, the more you're going to find your soul clients.” - Stacey Heintzman

3.) Find a mentor: “Find somebody that is already killing it in the industry. I guarantee you there's somebody out there that's willing to give you a couple tips and tricks just to get you ahead in the game.” - Jaime Castañeda Jr.

4.) Find the right space: “Find a space that's easily accessible. Here at Sola, your suite is a clean slate where you're able to express your creative freedom and build your brand and make it stand out. Identify your niche and just dive in.” - Chloe Calley

5.) Set the right prices: “Create a price list that will help you meet your lifestyle needs and the needs of your business for a minimum of one year. At that point, you can reevaluate all aspects of the business.” - Deniece Jordan

6.) Track your numbers: “I track my weekly, monthly and yearly earnings and expenses, that way I know my profit margin and it makes tax season a breeze.” - Chloe Calley

7.) Stay flexible: “Planning ahead will help you have systems and boundaries in place so there’s no confusion how you should run your business. But also, remember to be flexible. There are so many things that happen that are uncontrollable, and you need to be able to shift and pivot when a problem arises.” - Kayla Orth

8.) Market yourself in the right places: “It might not be realistic for you to have all the social media handles like TikTok, YouTube etc. However, you should have an online presence. Clients should be able to locate information about you easily. Your phone number, your location, services, and price list.” - Deniece Jordan

9.) Find your confidence: The main thing for me is having confidence. Whatever you're into, whatever you do, you do it the best that you can. Find those key attributes and allow them to prosper in your new business. If you've got an eye for interior design, use it. Allow it to prosper.” - Jaime Castañeda Jr.

10.) Never stop growing: “In the areas that you feel the most uncomfortable, that's where you have the most room to grow. Whether it's behind the chair, business and analytics, or something creative for yourself, continue to grow. You and your guests will feel the difference.” - Kayla Orth

Everyone’s path looks different, but it helps to have someone behind you that’s invested in helping you succeed - every step of the way. At Sola we’ve helped nearly 20,000 Beauty Pros like you open their own spaces and write their own success stories. Ready to write yours? Get started with a confidential tour!

It all starts with Sola...

• FREEDOM: Customize your space, your brand, and schedule - it's all up to you
• SUPPORT: Get cutting-edge tech, education, and career guidance to help you thrive
• COMMUNITY: Lean on our network of 20,000+ pros for support and inspiration
• FLEXIBILITY: Pick from a variety of studio sizes and prices to meet your needs (utilities + WiFi included)