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With the holidays upon us, ‘tis the perfect time of year to give back to your community! It’s a great way to say “thank you” to the community that supports you. Plus, as a small business owner, you’ll have the opportunity to make connections and perhaps get some free publicity for your salon through volunteering your time and/or your expertise.

Julie Manuel, a Bayou expert in hair and make-up, has been styling since the 80s, and hasn’t abandoned her career once -- not even when her hometown was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Since January 2014, Julie has enjoyed a new chapter in her thriving career at Sola Salons New Orleans. “I went to beauty school right after high school, and have been doing hair ever since,” Julie explains, unequivocally adding, “I love it, and always have loved it.”

Colorado-based manufacturer and salon owner Jay Palmer is excited to announce a special chance for Sola stylists to carry his quality new baby line at a steeply discounted price. We caught up with Jay to learn what Boulder Baby Co. is all about.

Everyone enjoys getting freebies, there’s even a known psychology behind it. Most people have a healthy skepticism attached to the idea of getting something at no cost, yet once they do, they often feel the need to reciprocate their appreciation. With that mentality in mind, you’re sure to drum up extra business this holiday season. But before we talk about what to give away during the holidays, let’s talk about why you should consider giveaways as a great marketing tool to increase your holiday revenue.

Starting your own business is a daunting task. You’re solely responsible for the success of your salon, and that’s lot of pressure! Building a supportive network of contacts can help lessen some of that pressure and provide the community you need for your salon to thrive. While social media marketing is a great way to advertise your business, there’s no substitute for face-to-face communication.

The freedom to create a space that’s uniquely you is one of the things that drew you to Sola Salon Studios in the first place. But, striking the right balance between daring individualism and spa-like serenity isn’t easy. We’ve got you covered with simple tips and practical advice from some of the best decorators around.

Even when you absolutely love your job, certain workdays can be long and tiring. Being an independent salon owner, your hours likely vary from day to day. Depending on the needs of your clients, a particular day in the salon might start quite early in the morning or end much later at night. It’s important to take care of yourself in order to stay strong in mind, body and spirit – all of which affect your salon business. We all need a bit of help sometimes to keep up our stamina, particularly for those of you on your feet all day. You need all the energy you can get to provide the best services possible to your guests. Here are 5 tips to keep you healthy and energized in the salon!

Karri was a stylist, mentor and educator at a prestigious, commissioned salon in Tucson for more than 12 years, but she yearned for more one-on-one attention with her clients and more flexibility in her schedule. Since coming to Sola four and a half years ago, she has enjoyed the freedom of setting her own schedule, which has allowed her to spend more time educating. Karri is a Regional Artist for L’Oréal Professionnel where she educates about the L’Oréal Parisian House of Hair and all its products.

In order to succeed as a boutique salon owner, it’s essential to focus on making–and keeping–your clients happy. Guests who are delighted with their experience will be more likely to book another appointment and recommend you to their friends. It’s hard to guarantee satisfaction for each client that sits in your chair, but aim high with these seven tips.

Crunching leaves, spiced aromas, and a crisp breeze are just the beginning of the most enchanting time of the year. But before you get too cozy, don’t forget about the little monsters and wicked witches that need your services to cast their spells. You are notoriously creative, and Halloween may arguably be the best holiday to really show off your skills. Seriously, how many times a year do you get asked to create a sky-high beehive in electric blue? Here are a few ways you can make the most of all the toil and trouble.

As you grow and develop your career as a boutique salon owner, you will have infinite opportunities to cultivate lasting relationships with your customers. When a client is in your chair, you can make them feel special and top of mind. But, how do you continue to build that bond once they’ve left your salon? Email newsletters are an easy, effective way to stay in touch with your clients while offering them valuable info, such as tips for in between hair care, news about product promotions or updates about upcoming vacations or openings in your schedule.

No, Gil Colorina doesn’t have any The 40-Year-Old Virgin stories. But, folks are always mentioning that flick to the SF Manscaping owner, a Bay Area esthetician who works solely in wax. “The clip is hilarious, but that’s not what happens in my shop,” Gil says, laughing at the memory of a hairy Steve Carell yelping on the table. (Psst: Gil has had a couple of guys attempt Brazilians – But that’s another story entirely!)

On September 7, 2014, 200 guests gathered at Sola Salons in Denver, CO to honor Polly Sanders-Peterson as she celebrates 50 years – Yeah, 50! – Behind the Chair, as well as 70 years of age. In addition, at the event Polly launched an exciting new beauty school scholarship that will be offered through Emily Griffith Technical College’s cosmetology program. Before we got the ‘70s and ‘80s music bumping, we had a chance to catch up with the disco queen herself, asking Polly to reflect on the hair industry through the decades. – Jamie Siebrase

Los Angeles-based stylist Jonathan Van Ness, Sola Salons Brentwood stylist in Stile (Studio 13) and mastermind behind Funny or Die’s hilarious, breakaway hit, Gay of Thrones">Gay of Thrones, shares his insights on the top try-‘em-now trends, and offers tips for achieving the looks that’ll take your clients from summery chic all the way to fall fabulous. – Jamie Siebrase

By this point, you’ve probably heard of Yelp. In fact, you’ve probably used it to research new restaurants or even to check out your competition. Yelp is a business review site and a go-to reference for many people when they’re looking for honest business ratings. Over 50 million businesses worldwide have profiles on Yelp. And in the second quarter of 2014, Yelp saw an average of 138 million unique visitors each month. That’s 138 million different people who are using Yelp to decide where to spend their money! So make sure to take advantage of this incredibly popular service and create your Yelp listing today.

Part of the job description of a busy, successful stylist is being on your feet day in and day out. Not every shoe is up for this task and unfortunately, sometimes the very cutest ones are also the most painful. Solid, versatile shoes are always a smart closet investment. We all want to look our best and not only is fashion a unique way to express yourself, looking put together and stylish is also a fantastic impression to make on your clients.

There’s no set path for a hair stylist to take. Every person comes to the profession with a unique viewpoint and experience, and Brandie Kekoa, owner of Be Kekoa Hair Studio in Sola Salon Temecula, CA, and founder of the Be Kekoa product line, is no exception. As a 3rd generation stylist, the profession is in Brandie’s blood. But her passion for natural hair and education has evolved along the way.

As a boutique salon owner, there are small ways to customize a unique experience for each of your clients. For example, stocking a specific beverage you know a client loves is always an appreciated detail. Another great way to personalize your client’s salon experience is by playing music you know they will enjoy or even letting them choose their own music.

Heather Catalan, owner of Studio H Salon, a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon in Colorado Springs, “caught the hair bug early on,” as she says. Throughout the years, Heather has leveraged degrees in both marketing and cosmetology into a booming Sola business reaping the financial benefits associated with using and selling a trusted and prominent product line. We’ve asked Heather to share with us her experience of becoming a Focus Salon, and the secrets of marketing this wonderful product line. – Jamie Siebrase

At Sola Salon Studios, YOU get to choose what music to play in YOUR salon! As inspiration, we asked the Sola community to share their favorite songs for the ultimate end of summer playlist. Enjoy!  Read More

Alysha, who worked with a celebrity stylist during her booth-renting days and participated in several hair shows, does the whole gamut in her Sola studio where she has owned and operated her business since March 1, 2014. But, it’s her unexpected specialty – scalp disorders – that makes her remarkable, and has earned her a reputation as “the docta’”. Alysha’s concentration also makes salon ownership not merely valuable, but crucial for building an expanding client base while honing in on a niche focus.

In today’s tech-reliant world, it’s vitally important to have a website for current and future clients to access. An Internet presence legitimizes your business and provides easy access for your clients to important information – like contact info, pricing and how to book an appointment. And since most consumers search for information on the Internet before they ever visit a brick and mortar salon, a website is your first chance to make a great impression!

When a regular client suddenly disappears from your schedule, you can’t help but wonder if they have given up investing in their beauty regime or if they made a switch to a different practitioner. It’s a bummer, but the truth is...most likely when someone leaves us, they are switching to someone new. My years of experience in this industry have taught me that clients will very rarely give up what is considered a low cost luxury investment (eyebrow waxing, haircuts and colors, facials, spray tans, blowouts, manis, pedis and massages).

Selfies are no longer just a silly time-waster; they can be harnessed as a marketing tool for savvy brands. And the salon industry might be one of the best industries to employ the power of the selfie. I don’t know about you, but the first thing I do when I leave the salon is snap a selfie to share with my friends. It’s fun to show off a new ‘do!

As a professional hair stylist, you’ve undoubtedly had clients who questioned the differences between the higher priced salon brands and the much more affordable hair products available at big box retailers. Between the extensive training we went through and our hands-on, day-to-day experiences, we understand that there’s a substantial difference between hair products. However, a few minutes of side-to-side comparisons can often clear up any uncertainties clients may have. Here are some of the main differences, as well as client benefits, associated with salon brands versus store brands.