In August, Prince William debuted a new look and the internet just couldn’t handle it: Facial hair…and lots of it. Since then, his royal following has been fixated on his scruff—and it had me wondering: After years of celebs like Timothee Chalamet and Jeremy Allen White rocking a baby-face, is the clean shaven look no more? Are we really ready to go back to a 2006-era lumber jack vibe?
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Air-drying doesn’t have to mean that you’re sacrificing a smooth, done-up hairstyle. We asked the experts how to air-dry your hair the right way, so you can give your heat styling tools a little break...
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On the spring 2025 runways, brand-new hair and makeup trends have already taken hold. Natural, luminous skin was the running throughline for most of the beauty looks that we spotted on the catwalks. Whether that meant shunning cosmetics completely at Collina Strada and Prabal Gurung, or playing off the polish of the base as a striking contrast (as seen at Simone Rocha, Khaite, and Alaïa), investing in good skincare is definitely in. As for hair, glossy coifs are left free-flowing or are manipulated into nouveau waves, twists, and plaits.
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New York Fashion Week is six days of time-traveling. Each season, both top and emerging designers offer a glimpse into the future with their latest collections, sending looks down the runway that will inevitably become It-pieces in the next few months. So yes, the focus is mainly on the clothes, but it’s worth noting the makeup and hairstyles that are created to really bring the brands’ visions to life.
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And just like that…another New York Fashion Week has almost come and gone. It’s safe to say that the SS 2025 NYFW season was as busy as we’d hoped and expected. While the fashion shows displayed spring and summer trends, there was also no shortage of beauty inspiration.
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New York Fashion Week is in full swing again, which means there’s plenty of beauty inspiration to keep bookmarked for the near future. And while the season is still a few months out, our editors are already taking note of the best spring 2025 hair trends. Designers like Grace Ling and Nanushka opted for face-framing accents on their models, while others, like Off-White and Alaïa, kept hair looks polished and simple with an array of sleek chignons.
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In a first, Briogeo hit the runway with Alice + Olivia. Making use of the newly-launched styling products, the hair team was led by celebrity hair artist Matthew Curtis, on behalf of Sola Salons.
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Sola Salons – among the world’s largest salon suites concept for independent beauty professionals – returned to New York Fashion Week as the official hair sponsor for Alice + Olivia’s SS25 Presentation on Saturday, Sept. 7.
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Sola Salons returned to New York Fashion Week as the official hair sponsor for alice + olivia’s SS25 Presentation on Saturday, September 7th. On the heels of the brand's 20th anniversary, 27 of Sola Salons’ independent beauty professionals teamed up with Matthew Curtis, the lead hairstylist for alice + olivia’s presentation, to create one-of-a-kind hairstyles that complemented this year’s spring collection.
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Sola Salons, the world's largest salon suites concept for independent beauty professionals, returned to New York Fashion Week as the official hair sponsor for alice + olivia's SS25 Presentation on Saturday, September 7th.
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Happy New York Fashion Week! The six-day marathon is already buzzing with beauty inspiration, and the looks I've seen so far function as a blueprint for this year's hottest trends. (More to come on that front!) When multiple, forward-thinking artists come together, you see, it only makes sense that the result is downright magical.
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If you’re a natural hair girlie, you know how important it is to have a set maintenance routine. Because wash days and styling can take up a lot of time, this creates effortlessness in your weekly schedule so that you can easily style your strands day to day. Additionally, establishing a regular regimen makes you more likely to see real results as you consistently use products that mesh together for the most ideal outcome.
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On August 5, Sola Salons hosted an event in Kansas City with the Popular Nobody team, and Beauty Launchpad was in attendance! Created by John Mosley (@popular_nobody), the Popular Nobody brand helps teach stylists skills from business building to branding, marketing, strategy, personal development and mindset, so pros in the industry have the skills to become a popular nobody like Mosley himself.
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Sola Salons, the world's largest studio suite franchise, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. This significant milestone underscores Sola's pioneering role in the beauty industry, having introduced the salon suite concept that empowers beauty professionals with entrepreneurship and independence.
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Cash Lawless, known as “The Millionaire Hairstylist”, started his journey as a homeless drop out. Poor choices led to even poorer circumstances. Eventually a family took him in and gave him the guidance he needed to start a career as a hairdresser, where he would work one day a week, as the receptionist of a small town salon. Later, he attended Paul Mitchell beauty school and Sassoons in London.
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How should you actually deal with split ends? Read on for everything you need to know about split ends, from what causes them to how to prevent them altogether.
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No matter your signature hairstyle or reason for skipping out on the salon and attempting a chop yourself, keep in mind that a do-it-all pair of scissors from your kitchen drawer probably won't cut it—which is where using one of the best hair-cutting scissors is key...
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No matter your signature hairstyle or reason for skipping out on the salon and attempting a chop yourself, keep in mind that a do-it-all pair of scissors from your kitchen drawer probably won't cut it—which is where using one of the best hair-cutting scissors is key. “The most important thing to look for when purchasing a pair of scissors is to make sure it’s meant for hair,” Kim Pags, owner of Sola Salons' Journee Styling Salon in Milwaukee tells Bazaar. “When it comes to your hair, those kitchen shears just won’t do.”
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There are a couple months until summer, but we're getting a head start on our next hair color. If you need a sign to finally become a redhead or try some golden blonde highlights, we chatted with color specialists and stylists, who shared the top summer hair colors to rock this season. We also pulled some visuals to show at your next appointment—plus, the haircare products you need to keep your new shade vibrant all summer long.
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Thousands of beauty and wellness professionals renting workspaces from Sola Salons have pledged to donate the cost of one service ticket on March 21 to the non-profit Beauty Changes Lives, the salon-suite company has announced.
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Anne Hathaway isn't only known for her theatrical prowess. Throughout her career, the actress has also earned a reputation for having an incredible sense of style and stunning beauty looks. As it relates to the latter, we'd be remiss if we didn't discuss her archive of hair looks. After all, we've spent decades watching her epic hair journey unfold before our eyes. From pixie cuts to cascading waves, Hathaway has rocked virtually every length and style you can think of.
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A curly cut is rarely one-size-fits-all. A stylist has to look at several factors, including your length, texture and face shape to make a fresh haircut uniquely yours... We compiled a list of the 21 best haircuts for curly hair—straight from hairstylists who know a thing or two about maximizing your swirls.
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There's a lot to love about a slicked-back ponytail. The sleek hairstyle is easy to achieve, works with every hair type, and instantly adds an elevated appeal to any look. Not to mention, the style lends itself to many creative possibilities. You can play around with parting, add cool twists or braids, or adorn your ponytail with chic hair accessories. Your options are truly endless with this 'do. Need some inspiration? We've rounded up 16 slicked-back ponytail ideas below.
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The best nail designs take inspiration from the most unexpected places. There’s no denying that Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut nails headlined last year. But if glazed skin is any indication, makeup is inspiring the next mani trend. That's how we know lip gloss nails are about to be everywhere.
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Sola Salons, which introduced the salon-suite franchise model to the U.S. and Canada, recently opened its 700th location—a milestone for both the company and beauty industry as a whole.
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Sola Salons, the world's largest studio suites franchise for more than 20,000 independent beauty professionals, proudly announces the opening of its 700th studio location in Coon Rapids, MN, marking a historic milestone in the company's journey.
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Emily Alders, Director of Education at Sola Salons, has heard it all. With 20K+ “solopreneurs” renting Sola suites across North America, she’s worked with countless artists struggling with one or more aspects of being their own boss. Here are the five most common issues they face, and Alders’ top tips for avoiding or solving these problem areas.
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As the company that introduced the salon suite concept to the United States, Sola Salons knows a thing or two about solopreneurs. Director of Education, Emily Alders, gave us the critical first steps an independent beauty pro needs to take in order to start off strong.
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Choosing the best shampoo for curly hair is totally not one-size-fits-all. But lucky for you, there's a ton of top-reviewed shampoos for curly hair to choose from depending on your goals.
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Sola Salons, the world’s largest studio suites concept for independent beauty professionals, proudly announces that more than 20,000 independent beauty professionals comprise its diverse and far-reaching community, ushering in a new generation and paradigm of beauty meets entrepreneurship.
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Sola Salons, the world’s largest and fastest-growing salon suites concept for independent beauty professionals, made its New York Fashion Week debut as the official hair sponsor for Alice + Olivia’s SS24 Presentation on Saturday, September 9th. Thirteen of Sola Salons’ independent beauty professionals collaborated with Matthew Curtis, the lead hairstylist for Alice + Olivia’s presentation, to craft distinctive hairstyles that complemented this year’s theme, inspired by Truman Capote’s Swans.
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Sola Salons made its New York Fashion Week debut as the official hair sponsor for Alice + Olivia’s SS24 presentation on Saturday, September 9th. Thirteen of Sola Salons’ independent beauty professionals collaborated with Matthew Curtis, the lead hairstylist for Alice + Olivia’s presentation, to craft distinctive hairstyles that complemented this year’s theme, inspired by Truman Capote’s Swans.
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Despite the rain that has poured over New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024 thus far, countless beloved A-listers and socialites alike have been stepping out with their best foot forward.
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Alice + Olivia showcased its spring/summer 2024 presentation during New York Fashion Week on Saturday, September 9, taking Us — and some of Hollywood’s biggest names — back to high-society of the 1960s.
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It’s an endless summer in the city as the Spring/Summer 2024 edition of New York Fashion Week kicked off during a heat wave — meaning the vibe is right for viewing all of the trends for the next warm weather seasons. The first impression of the beauty looks coming fresh off of the runways? More is more. Designers aren’t shying away from bright colors, shiny finishes, standout hair accessories, and other eye-catching elements. It’s not about competing with the clothes, it’s about the joy of having more exciting things to look at.
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Inspired by Truman Capote’s Swans, lead hair stylist Matthew Curtis and Sola Salons Beauty Professionals used Living Proof Hair Care products to create pearl and crystal encrusted buns, 60’s Twists, and ribbon-adorned up dos for Alice & Olivia’s SS24 Presentation at NYFW.
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Get ready to embrace your inner ballerina because #Balletcore is the hottest new trend to hit the runways, starting with New York Fashion Week. The look has been blowing up on TikTok for the past year, and it was only a matter of time before designers caught on and elevated the look for the Spring/Summer 2024 season.
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Alice + Olivia showcased its spring/summer 2024 presentation during New York Fashion Week on Saturday, September 9, taking Us — and some of Hollywood’s biggest names — back to high-society of the 1960s.
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Sola Salons’ Creation of Hairstyles at NYFW with Matthew Curtis Marked an Industry First, Created Access for Independent Professionals at Premier Fashion Events
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According to the New York Fashion Week runways, ribbon is the “it” hair accessory for next season. While ballet-inspired looks have been trending throughout 2023, from the return of dainty flats to bow nail art, the hair ribbons seen at the NYFW S/S 2024 shows are a next-gen take on the aesthetic. Instead of simply adding bows to buns, ponytails, and braids, hairstylists are weaving them into the hair in inventive ways.
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Sola Salons announced today the signing of nine franchise owner development agreements that will expand its presence in the United States. These agreements guarantee 26 new Sola locations in the U.S. over the next several years.
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Fast-growing franchise Sola Salon Studios sees Memphis as an expansion market
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Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
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In this MODERN EXCLUSIVE, Anne Moratto, director of content for MODERN SALON, spoke with Christina Russell, CEO of Radiance Holdings (which represents Sola Salons) about the growth of the salon suite model of employment and how independent salon professionals can continue to thrive even during times of economic uncertainty.
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When it comes to getting a haircut, people usually go one of two ways: they get just a trim to remove split ends, or they go for a big chop.
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Have you ever struggled to communicate with your clients? With over 42.5 million individuals speaking Spanish in the United States, over 13% of our population has difficulty communicating with beauty professionals. What are Spanish-speaking consumers to do?
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If you've spent any time on TikTok over the last few months, chances are you're familiar with the term "coquette aesthetic." The word "coquette," according to Merriam Webster, means, "a woman who endeavors without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of men."
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When it comes to nail trends, there are two ways things can go. Bright, bold, and out of the box (think "aura" nails), or minimal, tapered down, and basic (think "rich girl" nails).
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When it comes to nail trends, there are two ways things can go. Bright, bold, and out of the box (think "aura" nails), or minimal, tapered down, and basic (think "rich girl" nails).
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My hair wash cycle is like a math equation. I’m constantly faced with the problem of trying to line up my shampoos with events, workouts, and daily activities.
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Looking for a passive investment that is recession, Amazon, and pandemic resistant? Listen to this insightful interview with Austin Campbell. Austin is a Sola Salons multi-unit franchisee with 18 locations across the San Diego area, providing salon suites to more than 700 independent salon owners.
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A little kindness goes a long way. Austin Campbell, a Sola Salon Studios franchisee in San Diego, knows this well. After experiencing the compassion of volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House near Rady Children’s Hospital, he wanted to give back in some way.
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The International Franchise Association has selected 97 individuals to receive its Franchisee of the Year Award.
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The International Franchise Association (IFA) today recognized 97 individuals with its Franchisee of the Year Award, representing IFA member brands across all industries from communities around the country.
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Austin and Lisa Campbell know what it’s like to have a child with medical needs. Their daughter, Harlow, spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit after her birth in 2013 and was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, a complex genetic condition that causes numerous health issues, including life-threatening conditions such as congenital heart defects.
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"Jordan Levine joined the Radiance Executive Team in 2020 to apply his two decades of franchise learnings to the already flourishing Sola Salons brand. It is his belief that strong franchisee relationships and trust are what build a solid foundation..."
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As a part of our series about “Five Things You Need To Know To Succeed In The Modern Beauty Industry”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jordan Levine, Chief Operating Officer, Sola Salons.
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The beauty industry has been in business for centuries. For Sola Salons, its entry has been strategic and purposeful to the extent that it has created value for both the customer and the franchisee.
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Salon studio franchise Sola Salons has a clear-cut vision to boost its presence in the Canadian market.
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The rise in self-employment has reached an all-time high. Bloomberg reports that more Americans are self-employed than any time since the 2008 crisis
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Whether you're a beauty editor (like myself), a skincare fanatic or an aspiring makeup guru, we all have that one product we buy over and over again.
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The American Marketing Association defines the role of chief marketing officer (CMO) as that of the highest-level marketing position within a company.
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As the workforce continues to shift towards a self-employment model, individuals from many different industries from tech moguls to farmers are becoming Sola Salons franchise owners.
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The pursuit of thicker hair can often mean investing hundreds of dollars in serums and supplements, then waiting months for them to work.
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The 2022 Franchise Leadership & Development Conference (FLDC) is only two weeks away! The annual event for franchisors runs from Tuesday, Oct. 18 through Thursday morning, Oct. 20 in Atlanta at the Intercontinental Buckhead.
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Sola provides beauty professionals such as hair stylists, makeup artists and estheticians with fully equipped salon studios, along with related tools to launch their salon business.
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Many of the latest trendy haircuts have had animal-inspired names—the wolf, the butterfly, the octopus—and now there's another aquatic animal on that list.
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If there's anything that cutting our own hair in quarantine taught us, it's that we're always up for new adventures. As the trees start shifting from green leaves to red, orange, and yellow, the transition between seasons makes us want to change our hair color, too!
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ow did disco ever die? Call it generational ignorance, but it's hard to see how the world could tire of disco balls, light-up floors, platform shoes, and big, beautiful hair bouncing along to the beat.
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Picture the age-old stock images and/or movie scenes of a blissed-out woman with cucumber slices over her eyes (usually wearing some variation of a robe, a mud mask, and perhaps a towel around her head, too).
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The butterfly haircut is the long hairstyle of the summer, and it’s not hard to see why.
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Everyone should experience the instant drama of a major haircut at least once in their lives — chopping a bunch of hair may seem inconsequential, but anyone who’s gone for it can testify to just how scary, freeing, and downright exhilarating a big cut can be.
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Whether you have long, short, thick, or fine hair, there’s one thing that all hair types need: the best shampoo to keep strands nourished and scalp clean and healthy.
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Decadent, glamorous, and so captivatingly shiny, crystal-embellished nails are trendier (and easier to achieve) than ever before.
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No beauty category has undergone quite as epic of a rebrand as press-on nails
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Fuller, thicker eyebrows seem to be everywhere — with treatments like microblading and eyebrow lamination becoming increasingly popular.
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Flowers aren’t the only things in bloom this season. If you need a sign to get the haircut you’ve always wanted or finally try some nail art, spring is the best time to refresh your look.
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We're thrilled that Sola Salons has been named a Top 100 Recession-Proof Franchises List for 2022 by Franchise Business Review!
“While no business is 100% recession-proof, these franchise businesses have demonstrated that they are highly recession-resistant based on historical performance,” said Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review. “For people seeking to be their own boss, the Top 100 Recession-Proof businesses we identified this year not only have outstanding satisfaction among their owners—one of the most important factors to consider before investing in any franchise opportunity—but they have performed well in good times and bad and we feel they hold a strong advantage to outperform their competitors in the years ahead.”
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“This large transaction shows the strength and demand for our business at the unit level,” said Christina Russell, CEO of Sola Salons. “We have built a scalable team structure to prepare for this growth and couldn’t be more excited to be counted among the largest franchisees in the Sola system. We look forward to sharing the knowledge we gain from this experience.” Learn more about the acquisiton on Modern Salon.
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We are excited to announce that the Sola Salons corporate office has acquired 10 Sola locations in Virginia and 10 Sola locations in Baltimore, Maryland and Greater Washington D.C. Metro area from former Sola franchise owners! Through this acquisition, our home office is now the largest franchisee in the system with 59 corporate owned locations and one under development. Check out the IFA's recent story to learn more about the acquisition.
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For entrepreneurial hair professionals who want to experience the freedom and benefits of salon ownership, a salon suite is a great option. Modern Salon recently spoke to Steve Wren (@mrwrencuts) of Steven Brandon Hair Studio in Sola Bloomingdale, IL about his Sola Salon Studio.
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Sola Salons, the world's largest and fastest growing salon suite franchise, announced its 600th location worldwide has recently opened in Janesville, the company's 17th location in Wisconsin. Behind the milestone opening is first-time franchisee owner Alicia Modjeska, a former healthcare executive and U.S. Veteran. Modjeska was so impressed with the Sola business model that she came out of retirement to open her first location. Modjeska, who signed an agreement to open three Sola locations, is already searching for real estate to open her second studio. "I'm thrilled to join the Sola community while spearheading the launch of a new territory for the brand, which will give job opportunities to beauty professionals in Janesville and surrounding markets," said Modjeska, Janesville franchise owner. "With an extensive background in corporate America, this journey with Sola is giving me the opportunity to have freedom and flexibility as a business owner while giving back to my community, and ultimately providing a successful growing business that I can one day pass down to my daughters."
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We are thrilled to announce that Sola Salons has been named a Top Franchise for 2022 by Franchise Business Review! This is the 17th annual ranking of the 200 best franchise opportunities that is based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Sola was among over 300 franchise brands, representing more than 30,000 franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research. Our franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity. Cheers to our entire Sola team for earning this wonderful recognition!
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Three artists, based in three different Sola Salons locations across the country, each with a unique specialty and clientele. Their shared experience is that they each have implemented salon policies and rules that help them, as independent stylists, run their business with clarity. Their clients know what to expect when they step through their doors and this transparency makes for healthy client relationships and a healthier stylist, overall.Here are some of the rules they use, every day, to keep their salon feeling like someplace they want to be... home, suite, home...
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Sola Salons is excited to share our ranking on this year's Entrepreneur Media Franchise 500 list. We're ranked #1 in the Salon Studios category and #50 overall! Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 is the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking, assessing franchise costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Congratulations to our Sola team on this esteemed award!
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When venturing out into the salon industry in your own business as a stylist and salon owner, especially in a studio setting, you have the opportunity to create a unique salon experience tailored to your brand and clientele. (Featuring Face of Sola Joey Figueiredo)
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When stylists, barbers, nail technicians and other beauty practitioners have made the decision to set up shop and to go independent, they may be spending more time envisioning their suite’s color scheme than their business policies. But establishing a clear outline of your rules around sanitation, etiquette and business practices before you open the doors will make both you and your clients more confident and relaxed. (Featuring Face of Sola Hunter Donia)
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If you’re looking for more ways to pamper yourself (and really, who isn’t?) then you might want to strap in and learn about hair steaming. This hair treatment has been around for ages in salons, but you might’ve missed out on it. Whether you use a professional steamer or go the DIY route, there are many benefits to getting the service done to your natural hair. We tapped two experts to explain why hair steaming should be a part of your wash routine. (Featuring Faces of Sola Tish Clark and Carlisha Duffey)
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During the holiday season, many businesses do 60 percent or more of their sales for the entire year. This means retail is a huge opportunity for you to increase your bottom line without spending more hours behind the chair. So, even if you're never dabbled in the retail game before, there is no better time to hop on the train than when sales are at an all-time high.
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Sola Salons stylist, Gisaura "Gigi" Laporte was recently featured on Culture Hub under a story titled, "Celebrate These Latina-Owned Businesses in the Beauty, Skin and Haircare World." The piece highlighted Gigi's inspiration to venture into the beauty industry to become an independent hairstylist and makeup artist with Sola Salons.
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So often in life and in careers, people look back and think, “I wish I knew then what I know now.” Professionals in the beauty industry are no different; but luckily at Sola, our community values community over competition.
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There is a popular old business adage that empowers entrepreneurs to focus on customers that really matter. It is called the 80/20 rule, and it states that about 80 percent of your sales come from 20 percent of your clients. The rule indicates that if you focus on the most active 20 percent of your customers, they will generate 80 percent of your income.
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As Halloween quickly approaches, the rest of the holiday season is just around the corner. We wanted to offer you some holiday marketing tips that will help you maximize the cheer and minimize the stress. These tips may also help you to bridge the gap on any year-end financial goals. Don’t let the pumpkin spice lull you into winter hibernation—let’s make these last three months your most profitable (and fun) yet.
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Sola Salons announced the 15 new faces of Sola during its Sola Experience event, which took place in Denver from September 26-29, 2021.
The group was hand-selected by Sola to represent the brand’s 17,000+ community of independent salon owners.
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Sola Salons was selected as a 2021 Most Profitable Franchise by Franchise Business Review and is one of just 50 franchise companies to be recognized for strong financial performance and high franchisee satisfaction. The ranking was determined by Franchise Business Review's industry research and the surveying of Sola Salons franchisees about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems. We're honored to receive this accolade and take pride in working together with our franchisees to achieve the most success and satisfaction.
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COVID fatigue is a condition that has developed due to our heightened state of stress, which over time leads to emotional exhaustion. For beauty professionals, the salon closures, shifting mandates and tricky client concerns have made navigating this time even more draining than in other industries.
Here are some tips to avoid COVID fatigue and burnout.
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For decades, Inc. has recognized the fastest-growing companies in America with its annual Inc. 5000 list. This year, Sola is incredibly excited to announce its inclusion on this most prestigious list as one 2021's fastest-growing privately held companies in the country. By analyzing company data and growth rates with a proven methodology, Inc. identifies the most successful companies that have shown remarkable growth each year. This year's list proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020's unprecedented challenges, and Sola is incredibly honored to be included on one of the most globally recognized rankings among entrepreneurs.
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All good things must come to an end. With summer winding down, it’s time to capitalize on the busy back-to-school season. From collaboration with your community to sales that are too hot to resist, here are our top tips for engaging your scholastic clientele and their parents, too.
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Sola Highland Park franchise owner, Tanner Holmes, was selected as one of Franchise Business Review's 2021 Millennial Franchise Rockstars! This prestigious award recognizes franchise owners who have set an exceptional example of achieving success within their franchise model. Tanner was selected from a pool of 200 nominees for his demonstration of leadership, business acumen, financial and professional success, and contributions to the Sola community. Congratulations to Tanner and the whole team at Sola Highland Park!
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We're honored to have been awarded Franchise Update Media's Franchise Innovation Award for "Best Digital Marketing Campaign" for our #SolaStrong campaign. Kudos to the Sola Marketing Team for the concepting the campaign, and additionally, the entire community of Sola franchise partners, beauty professionals and home office employees that helped bring the campaign to life! Alone we are strong. Together we are #SolaStrong!
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Congratulations to 2020 Faces of Sola, Filipe Ramos, for being named one of Beauty Launchpad's Top 30 Under 30 Colorists! Such a wonderful achievement for this talented and hardworking #SolaBoss. Follow Filipe's incredible work on Instagram > @hairbyfilipe and @allurehues.
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What would you do with a few more hours back in your day? Spend more time with your family? Squeeze in a few more appointments? Relax? No matter your answer, the beauty of being the boss is that your time and schedule is completely in your hands. We’re just here to help you spend less time doing busy work and more time doing what you love.
Follow these 5 tips to save yourself time and give yourself the peace of mind you need and deserve as a go-getting salon owner.
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As a salon owner, the return to “business as usual” can result in some critical decision-making to maintain health and safety while avoiding conflict and discomfort. In this time of exciting reopenings and shifting mask regulations, we want to make sure you are equipped as a small business owner with options for communicating new salon rules to clients amongst varying comfort levels and circumstances.
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Join Sola Salon stylist Bianca Margolis, owner of B.Rose Studio in Chicago, as she talks to Moden Salon about the process of designing her beautiful studio environment and brand.
"Sola Salon Studios allows us a space to do what we love and create the best environment, both personally and professionally."
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“More than ever, this past year has taught us the immeasurable value of connection, and The Sola Sessions is an incredible opportunity to strengthen the connection we have to our beloved Sola community, as well as form new relationships with brands and educators in the industry,” said Jennie Wolff, chief marketing officer of Sola Salon Studios. “Our brand encourages personal growth and continued education, and those values have always been at the heart of this event. Knowing the value that our past Sola Sessions have brought to our own community, we’re excited to extend access of this exclusive event to all independent beauty professionals for the first time, in an effort to share industry-leading education with anyone looking to better themselves in the pursuit of career success."
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Sola Salon Studios will host The Sola Sessions on Monday, May 17 and, for the first time ever, is inviting all beauty professionals to attend the virtual experience. The Sola Sessions Reconnected will be filled with inspirational and educational content from the industry’s top business, marketing and artistic educators to help independent beauty professionals create the salon life of their dreams.
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Have you heard of Clubhouse yet? This invite-only, audio-based social media platform has been the hottest new app of 2021. Clubhouse features discussion rooms with podcast-style moderators, where users can listen to live streaming audio and even join in the conversation “on stage” with the push of a button. Topics range from beauty and fashion to world events and politics, and everything in between.
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Sola Salon Studios is honored to be named one of the Top 50 Franchises for Women by Franchise Business Review. As an organization that has numerous female franchisees and women in leadership, along with tens of thousands of female independent beauty professionals that call Sola their home, we couldn't be more proud to be recognized. Check out the full list below and learn about how Sola and other brands were selected.
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Sola Salons was selected as a 2021 Top Recession-Proof Franchise by Franchise Business Review. The ranking was determined by Franchise Business Review's industry research and the surveying of Sola Salons franchisees about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems. We're honored to receive this accolade and take pride in working together with our franchisees to achieve the most success and satisfaction.
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Sola Salon Studios is honored to be recognized as the #1 franchise brand on Franchise Gator's Top 100 Franchises of 2021 list! This achievement would not be possible without our network of the most dedicated franchise partners in the business, the incredible Sola pro community, and our talented home office team. We're more inspired than ever to empower independent beauty professionals to chase their dreams and experience the freedom of salon ownership. A shared congrats to our entire #SolaFam!
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Customer loyalty is arguably the most important ingredient to a long-lasting, successful business. It's been proven that loyal customers visit more often, spend more money during those visits, and provide free, word-of-mouth promotion. Yet, small business owners, including salon professionals, often focus their efforts on chasing new customers as a way to increase cash flow. New business is great, but don’t neglect those clients you’ve already snagged. Try these tips for increasing the kind of loyalty that’ll have customers coming back for years to come.
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Sola Salon Studios is honored to be recognized as the #26 franchise brand on Entrepreneur's 2021 Franchise 500 Ranking. Despite an unprecedented year of challenges, we climbed up 50 spots from our ranking on Entrepreneur's 2020 list. We are so proud of the entire Sola network for this huge accomplishment!
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According to U.S. News & World Report, 80 percent of all New Year’s resolutions fall flat by February. Why? Because people make resolutions without creating a plan of action to achieve their goals. Check out these four ways to not only be a goal-setter but a goal-getter in 2021!
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Going out on your own as a salon owner takes a ton of courage and strength. We’re here to provide hope through an inspiring story of one #SolaStrong stylist, Annie Hayes, who opened her own Sola studio in May 2020 after being furloughed by her previous salon. Since then, Sola has helped her get back on her feet and turn her career dreams into her career reality.
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Sola CEO, Christina Russell was recently selected as one of the top 100 Influential Women in Franchising by Business Woman, a magazine launched just last year by the team behind What Franchise and Global Franchise. Business Woman Magazine celebrates the powerhouse women of franchising. Very well deserved, Christina!
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The majority of salons in California are only allowed to operate if they take their services outside—which stylists say is unsanitary and an unsustainable business model. Salon suites in the state have come together to ask California Gov. Gavin Newsom to allow suites to reopen for indoor service, with a letter signed by nearly 6,000 self-employed beauty professionals. Keep reading for the details.
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In the past few days, some of the largest salon suite concepts including Sola Salon Studios, MY SALON Suite, Salons by JC, Phenix Salon Suites and Image Studios and the 6,000+ independent hair stylists that work in them have banded together. They are collaborating on communication to California officials in response to new closures implemented in the state.
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In the past few days, some of the largest salon suite concepts including Sola Salon Studios, MY SALON Suite, Salons by JC, Phenix Salon Suites and Image Studios and the 6,000+ independent hair stylists that work in them have banded together. They are collaborating on communication to California officials in response to new closures implemented in the state.
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As exciting as it is to reopen, it's no secret that life inside the salon will look (and feel) different in our post-COVID world. But, as we've said from the beginning—you're not in this alone. The best thing we can do right now is to share and learn from one another in our community to help each other get back to business as strong as possible.
From mask comfort to client connection, check out these tried-and-true tips that Sola pros shared for a successful reopening.
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“Beginning on April 27, Sola Salon Studios, which provides hair, nail, wax and massage services, began reopening locations in Georgia as restrictions were lifted. Since then, more than 273 of its 505 salons have opened following each state’s local reopening guidelines.”
As the safety of our Sola professionals and their guests have remained our number one priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are honored to have been featured in People for our efforts. Check it out!
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"At Sola, our focus on community is what helps to build a unique culture of independents who are supporting each other, whether locally, or virtually all across the country and in Canada, too. Throughout the last two months, we have seen our community band together more than ever so that we can all get to the other side of this #SolaStrong."
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For stylists and their clients, hugging one another “is very much a part of the culture,” says Sola Salon Studios CEO Christina Russell. “We had to put guidance out that you can’t hug anymore.” That’s just one of many nuances that come with the personal nature of the salon industry and that Sola, whose franchisees rent space to hair stylists, massage therapists, nail techs, skincare professionals and makeup artists at 500 locations, addressed in its back-to-work plan.
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When the world presents us with challenges, the universe responds with opportunities to grow. When you’re a salon owner, you’re able to enjoy the benefits of being your own boss, but with that also comes a fair amount of responsibility, particularly in times of financial uncertainty. Here, we've compiled 8 steps you can take in your finances to weather this difficult time.
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With the federal government extending social distancing measures until April 30, it looks like many of us will be staying at home for while—and we know you are worried about maintaining a stream of income. We talked to Sola Salon Studios Culture Ambassador Kim Bennett (@kimi_kisses), a Sola salon owner for 16 years, about how she’s keeping cash coming in while her Denver studio is closed.
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Salon suite renters, we know you have some questions during the coronavirus pandemic. Are you required to pay rent if your salon suites are closed by government mandate? And how should you navigate the conversation with your suite owner? We talked to Sola Salon Studios Chief Marketing Officer Jennie Wolff and Sola Salon Studios Culture Ambassador Kim Bennett to hear what Sola’s 150 franchise groups around the country are doing now.
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Sola is proud to be included in Entrepreneur.com's 2020 List of Fastest Growing Franchises. We truly value our Sola franchisees that help us reach these milestones.
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Small business owners face even larger bills for their rent payments. Jeremy Campbell manages 15 Sola Salon Studios in San Diego. His business is similar to WeWork. He rents spaces from commercial landlords and rents them out to more than 500 hairdressers who run their own businesses. Campbell had to close all his properties Thursday night when California instituted a “shelter in place” order.
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Sola Salon Studios announces their 2020 Faces of Sola, 20 amazing salon professionals who embody what it means to be a “Solapreneur.” These stylists have not only excelled in their careers as independent salon owners, but also as artists, educators, philanthropists, working parents and go-getters.
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For many people, owning a franchise business is the ultimate dream. Finding that right franchise fit starts with doing your homework.
Sola Salon Studios makes it easy to do your due diligence with a franchise guide that illustrates the brand’s powerful use of real estate to empower the independence and entrepreneurship of beauty and wellness professionals.
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The annual Sola Salon Studios Summit took place in gorgeous Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this past October. This year, the Summit brought together over 300 attendees - from Sola franchisees, vendor partners, guest speakers and the Sola home office team - for three amazing days of inspiration, education and networking all centered around this year’s theme, “The Power of Sola.”
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In June 2019, Christina Russell joined the Sola Salon Studios leadership team as their new CEO, coming to them with an extensive background in franchising. Russell has held key positions with companies such as Curves, Camp Bow Wow and Pure Barre, where she was recently CEO.
When she was 29, Russell owned and operated four Curves locations. She would eventually go on to lead operations across the company, in the US and Canada. “I went through a process of learning what it means to sell from the heart,” Russell says of those years. “It was a woman-based model centered on franchising and focused on helping them be successful. Franchising is built to help people get into business, creating pathways for them to thrive.”
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Sola Salon Studios is celebrating it’s 15th anniversary this month! Since its inception in 2004, Sola has become the largest, fastest-growing salon studio business in the United States with over 450 locations and home to over 14,000 independent beauty professionals. Founded by Stratton Smith and Matt Briger, Sola Salon Studios has stayed true to its mission to inspire and support beauty professionals to experience the freedom of salon ownership.
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This month, Sola Salon Studios is celebrating 15 years of successful business. Stratton Smith and Matt Briger opened the first Sola location in Highlands Ranch, CO in 2004 with a mission to inspire and support beauty professionals in experiencing the freedom of salon ownership.
Years later, Sola is celebrating explosive expansion within the United States as well as internationally, in Canada and Brazil. “Only four years ago we were celebrating the 5,000th Sola professional. Today, our community is made up of over 14,000 rock star salon owners and we could not be more proud," Jennie Wolff, Sola's VP of marketing and education, says. "We look forward to empowering thousands of future independent salon owners in the years to come.”
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The salon studio leader, Sola Salon Studios, has added another milestone to their list by officially being the first Pennsylvaniastate-approved salon studio/suite concept for independent beauty professionals. Currently, 9 locations are open in Pittsburgh and Lancaster which are the business-home to over 220 entrepreneurial beauty pros who are flourishing at Sola and the expansion includes three NEW locations in the Philadelphia area:
Devon Square location in Wayne, opening in July. Deposits being accepted now for customizable, move-in ready studios! Plus – Sola Devon Square is offering a $1000sign-on bonus!
Horsham and Plymouth Meeting locations are opening this Fall with details coming soon.
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Sola Salon Studios is delighted to announce that Christina Russell has been named new CEO effective June 5, 2019. Ms. Russell brings an extensive senior leadership background in franchising with leading companies such as Curves, Camp Bow Wow, and Pure Barre where she was recently CEO. In addition to her corporate roles, she began her career in the franchise industry as a multi-unit owner, which provides her a unique, rich perspective and background that she brings to this role.
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Sola Salon Studios was recently recognized by Franchise Times Magazine as a winner of their “Dealmakers of the Year” award, a prestigious recognition honoring the boldest players that drove mergers and acquisitions in the franchising world. The winners were announced at their recent Franchise Times Dealmakers Awards in Las Vegas.
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Sola Salon Studios announced that Christina Russell has recently been named Chief Executive Officer. Christina brings an extensive senior leadership background in franchising with leading companies such as Curves, Camp Bow Wow and Pure Barre, where she was recently CEO. In addition to her corporate roles, she began her career in the franchise industry as a multi-unit owner, which provides her a rich perspective and background that she brings to this role.
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Christina Russell, newly named CEO of Sola Salon Studios, finds common threads between her latest appointment and her former CEO jobs at Pure Barre and Camp Bow Wow before that.
“In every brand I’ve been a part of there’s been some founder/CEO transition that I walked into,” she said. “It’s tough when the founder leaves to keep that beating heart beating as strong as it was.”
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Austin Campbell has been involved with Sola Salon Studios since its inception in 2004. He now owns 13 locations in the San Diego, Calif., area and has no intentions of slowing down. “When we first opened Sola, I thought you were lying if you said we could have 10. Now 25 is very obviously in our sights,” Campbell says.
Sola was founded to create a supportive community for beauty professionals to achieve their dreams, which is one of the things Campbell was initially drawn to. Campbell says empowering entrepreneurs is the most rewarding aspect of his job: “You get a text or a call from somebody saying, ‘Hey, this has honestly changed my life.’ That’s just a shot of adrenaline and keeps me going and that’s why I absolutely love it.”
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Sola Salon Studios is welcoming Christina Russell as its new CEO.
Russell joins the Sola team with extensive senior leadership background in franchising with companies such as Curves, Camp Bow Wow and Pure Barre, where she was recently CEO. She began her career in the franchise industry as a multi-unit owner, which provides her a unique, rich perspective and background that she brings to this role.
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When Sola Salon Studios opened its first location in Denver, CO in 2004, the mission and goal was to provide beauty professionals high-end, move-in ready studios where they could experience the freedom and benefits of being in business for themselves as salon owners. Now, almost 15 years later, Sola Salon Studios announces a new milestone with the opening of their 450th location, in Leawood, KS.
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Sola Salon Studios recently announced Christina Russell as its new CEO. Russell will overlook all aspects of franchise growth initiatives and operational management for all company-owned Sola locations.
“There’s nothing more powerful than a group of passionate and creative business owners galvanized around a common mission. And it is especially powerful when that mission empowers others to live their best lives. That’s what Sola is all about, and that purpose resonates deeply with me,” Russell said in a statement.
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At one time, owning a salon meant finding the right property, hiring a team of hairstylists, deciding the colour and retail product lines to carry, and opening for business. While this is till the case for many salon, in recent years a new business model has become a part of the Canadian salon landscape; salon suites.
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A contrasting transaction would be a business called Sola Salon Studios, which we closed last fall. In that business, because it’s a franchise model, cash flow is very strong. Growth doesn’t require any capital investment because franchisees are making that investment on your behalf and the primary cash flow is royalties, which are highly recurring, contractually obligated and there’s a tremendous amount of visibility.
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Sola Salon Studios attracts family office backers MPK Equity and PNCRiverarch in management-led buyout of founders.
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Starting this month, the online and app platform SolaGenius will add BookNow to its features, allowing clients to book appointments with Sola stylists anytime, anywhere. The booking engine makes it easy for clients to find available appointment times with stylists at Sola Salon locations nearby, without any need to download an app or create an account.
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Sola Salon Studios just unveiled its newest technology, BookNow by SolaGenius. This new online search and booking engine allows clients nationwide to discover and book appointments with Sola pros who use SolaGenius. The easy-to-use search engine provides prospective clients appointment times and locations based on services desired without the need for them to download an app or create a username and password to search the database.
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Sola Salon Studios is gearing up for their first 2019 Sola Sessions education and inspirational event. This time, Sola is heading to sunny San Diego, CA for a not-to-be missed event on May 6th! Tickets are on sale NOW for this Sola Sessions event.
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Sola Salon Studios dealmaker offers detailed peek into an ‘exhausting’ process
Until last year, founders Stratton Smith and Matt Briger were the sole shareholders of Sola Salon Studios, which provides fully equipped salon suites for beauty professionals. When they were ready for a “liquidity event,” as Ben Jones, VP of development and general counsel puts it, he and the team got to work looking for investors, but on the quiet. “We did not want word on the street,” he says. “We didn’t want our customers to think there was anything wrong or anything to worry about.”
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Franchise Times today announces winners of the 2019 Franchise Times Dealmakers awards, the seventh annual project recognizing the boldest players driving mergers and acquisitions in franchising.
The 2019 Franchise Times Dealmakers will accept awards and tell how they landed their deals at a gala awards luncheon Tuesday, May 7, 2019, when the 2019 Deal of the Year will also be recognized. The luncheon is a highlight of the Franchise Times Finance & Growth Conference, May 6-8, at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. All deals will be featured in the April issue of Franchise Times.
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Sola Salon Studios, the leader in the salon studio category for beauty professionals, is excited to announce the opening of their first South America location in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as part of their international expansion.
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Sola Franchise LLC, a leading salon studios concept, announced that it has acquired a portfolio encompassing 11 franchise locations in Orange County, CA. In early 2019, Sola will acquire the remaining location in the portfolio that is currently under lease-up, for a total of 12 locations in Orange County. The acquisition of this portfolio is in addition to the 13 current corporately owned locations in the Denver and Boulder markets.
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Sola Franchise LLC, the leading salon studios concept in the world, is excited to announce that it has acquired a portfolio encompassing 11 franchise locations in Orange County, California. In early 2019, Sola will acquire the remaining location in the portfolio that is currently under lease-up, for a total of 12 locations in Orange County. The acquisition of this portfolio is in addition to the 13 current corporately owned locations in the Denver and Boulder markets.
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You’ve made up your mind—you’re going to strike out on your own as an independent artist. You’re ready to set your own hours, choose your own products, be your own boss. Hurray! Now, there’s one more choice to make. Would you rather rent a studio suite or rent a spot at an existing salon? Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you in making your choice.
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It’s hard to describe Jennie Wolff without sounding hyberbolic. Go-getter? Over-achiever? Mover and shaker? Dynamic and determined? All fitting descriptions of the VP of Marketing and Education at Sola Salon Studios. The old adage “A rolling stone gathers no moss” comes to mind, or at least the modern interpretation of that shop-worn phrase, which is that a person must stay active or risk stagnation. It’s safe to say that Jennie Wolff has avoided stagnation like the plague in her 34 years on the planet.
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In its quest to “remain the leader and widen the gap” between it and its competitors in the salon suite franchise space, Sola Salon Studios attracted funding from a trio of firms that now have a majority stake in the brand and, CEO Randall Clark said, will accelerate growth.
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Since Stratton Smith and Matt Briger founded Sola Salon in 2004, they’ve developed a community of over 11,000 beauty professionals in 400-plus locations. Such a strong growth demands adjustment—cue Sola Salon’s recent acceptance of a significant strategic investment from three groups including MPK Equity Partners, AHR Growth Partners and PNC Riverarch Capital. Both Smith and Briger will maintain an interest in the company and Randall Clark, Sola Salon CEO, will continue to lead the current management team.
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Sola Salon Studios announced today that a consortium of three investment groups have made a significant strategic investment in Sola Salon Studios.“We are very excited as this new investment and ongoing capital commitment from our new partners will provide us with significant financial resources and the ability to successfully and quickly deliver on key strategies and goals,” shared Randall Clark, CEO of Sola Salon Studios. The three groups are MPK Equity Partners, AHR Growth Partners and PNC Riverarch Capital, which will now hold a majority stake in the company. The current management team, led by Randall Clark, will remain in place.
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When industry icon Robert Cromeans takes the stage, you know he’s about to do one of two things: share some major business tips or cut some jaw-dropping hair transformations in about seven minutes flat. And at Sola Salon Studios’ 2018 Sola Sessions in Chicago, he did a little bit of both.
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While attending the 2018 Sola Sessionsin Chicago, we grabbed three tips from Jennie Wolff, VP of Marketing and Education at Sola Salon Studios, that’ll help you find success in your new salon studio AND boost your business. Keep reading for the advice Jennie shared during her presentation!
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The Sola Salon Studios community is marking their calendars for Sept. 24, when Leading Ladies comes to the Sola Sessions in Chicago.
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Randall Clark is the new CEO at Sola Salon Studios. With the salon suite brand poised to begin global expansion—their first location in Toronto opened in October 2017—Clark took time to speak with MODERN about how Sola continues to move rapidly forward.
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Opening a salon is a dream for many hairstylists, but there are some opportunities that every hairstylist should consider. With the opening of Sola Salon Studios in Toronto (and plans to expand across Canada) hairstylists now have the support they need to launch their dream.
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Every person, no matter their profession, comes to a turning point in their career where a decision has to be made. They can either stay where they are, and enjoy the success they’ve uncovered at that level. Or they can jump – and hope that the inspired leap of faith pays off in their favor, though the way may not always be so clear. For Kim Bennett Horvath, the moment of that decision came the day she met the founders of Sola Salon Studios in 2004.
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The Sessions have hit Dallas! The Sola Sessions are making their way across the U.S. throughout the year, inspireing all Sola professionals in their path.
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Opening a salon is a dream for many. While there’s a plethora of expected pros when going into business for yourself – like controlling your atmosphere, choosing your own retail and back bar, creating a flexible schedule, and branding yourself and your business - there is also a wealth of unexpected benefits that Sola stylists have discovered for themselves. With so much opportunity and support, these stylists have moved their careers in a direction they could once only dream of. It’s evident that going solo was the right move for them…read on to decide if it’s the right move for you, too!
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As an independent stylist, you aren’t just creating attention-worthy styles for each of your clients, you’re also responsible for running an entire business. This includes booking all of your appointments, managing your finances and marketing. Sola Salon Studios, the nation’s largest salon suite company, has partnered with GlossGenius, a cutting-edge software solution for beauty professionals to provide you with SolaGenius: an innovative new app, which helps Sola stylists save time on all the busy work so they can focus on what they love doing most.
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When making the switch from employee to independent stylist, there’s a lot of factors to consider. Not only are you creating attention-worthy styles for each and every client, but now you have an entire business to run that includes inventory management, marketing and continuing education. And the resources you’re used to may not be as readily available to you.
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Sola Salon Studios is proud to announce their support and collaboration with Eyes on Cancer this May during Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Sola is encouraging their stylists across the US to join this potentially life-saving movement!
As a part of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Sola Salon Studios will be offering hundreds of their stylists a complimentary voucher for the unique training through their SolaPro App. Eyes on Cancer offers a program specifically designed for hairdressers and beauty professionals to recognize early signs of skin cancers, particularly melanoma, on the head and scalp
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It’s liberating to step out on your own as a salon owner, forging your own path to success and setting your own terms for what that looks like. But it can also be overwhelming to balance all those new responsibilities, like marketing, inventory and budgeting, which is what makes successful Sola beauty professionals look like well-groomed super heroes. These individuals have somehow figured out the magic formula that it takes to rise from novice to powerhouse.
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Little green efforts add up! That’s the approach Healthy Hairdresser is taking with the help of our sponsor, Sola Salon Studios, in suggesting small ways to make your studio—or any salon space—more eco-friendly. Start now before Earth Month ends, and you’ll be set for the year and beyond.
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As an independent salon owner, selling retail is a major opportunity for increasing your paycheck. Not only do you get to choose the products that line your shelves, but also you get to keep 100% of the profits. But it’s not only about the money! Offering take home product is about servicing your clients and making sure their needs are met. It’s been proven that sending your guests home with the products they need increases client retention and ensures client loyalty. So why are so many beauty professionals afraid to get in the retail game?
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Giving beauty professionals freedom and control over the business is the mission of Sola Salon Studios. "We hope to inspire and support beauty professionals to chase their dreams, elevate their careers and experience the freedom of salon ownership," says Jennie Wolff, cive president of marketing and education.
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Sola Salon Studios kicked off their exclusive “Sola Sessions” event to a full house on Monday, February 13th in Dallas, Texas. With over 200 Sola stylists in attendance from 16 states, the day was filled with expert education on styling, marketing and business topics to enhance the careers of every Sola pro. The Sessions are all about inspiring, motivating and educating Sola professionals, while also learning from and collaborating with others in the dynamic beauty community.
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Sola will immediately bring resources like its Sola Pro mobile app to Canada. Sola Pro is a mobile education and industry portal that gives Sola pros access to discounts on equipment and retail products. Sola is also committed to providing exclusive local education opportunities to Sola beauty professionals on an ongoing basis.
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Sola has been putting the salon professional first since 2004. During that time, a diverse community of more than 7,000 independent beauty professionals at more than 300 locations across the United States have taken control of their lives and careers at Sola for themselves, but not by themselves. “Sola Salon Studios has always been committed to supporting every beauty professional to pursue their business dreams and goals in a high-end, fully-equipped salon environment,” said Ben Jones, Sola’s Chief Executive Officer. “Over the last few years we’ve received many inquiries from Canadian hairdressers interested in Sola’s concept, and we feel the time could not be better to expand Sola’s mission to Canada.”
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Sola Salon Studios, one of the largest and fastest-growing salon studio franchise in the United States, today announced expansion plans to bring the franchise to Canada in response to increasing demand for independent salon ownership from Canadian beauty professionals. Sola’s first franchise locations will open in the Greater Toronto Area in early 2017, with further expansion planned across the country.
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Earning the top spot on Forbes' Best Franchises to Buy list, Sola Salon Studios has built a brand committed to putting the beauty professional first.
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Salon professionals are more than just their job description: you are artists, educators, confidantes—and more and more often, you are the embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit. All across the nation, thousands of salon professionals are taking control of their entrepreneurial goals by moving to a salon studio. We connected with four rock stars at Sola Salon Studios who are killing it, showing us that there’s never been a better time than NOW to go independent!
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With a focus on brand building, marketing and social media in the morning, and artistic learning in the afternoon, the Sola Sessions featured top educators from various aspects of the professional beauty industry. The event featured education delivered by Sola Salon Studios, Passion Squared, Ideas That Evoke, Wella, Aquage, theFactory and Redken. Additionally, Hattori Hanzo Shears, Dermalogica, CND and KLASS Beauty hosted “Side Sessions” education throughout the day on a secondary stage.
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Sola Salon Studios provides freedom to explore your passions beyond the salon. Sure, one of a stylist’s favorite spots is in the salon, but plenty beauty pros have interests beyond the chair. Many stylists and hairdressers pursue additional passions that enrich themselves, and their communities.
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Sola Salon Studios is going big for its third Sola Sessions event of 2016, increasing the number of attendees and expanding education opportunities into the nail, makeup and skincare fields. The event, which is exclusive to Sola entrepreneurs, will be held on September 12, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, California. Sola sold out its first two Sola Sessions in Denver and Minneapolis, respectively, and due to increased demand from Sola entrepreneurs, expanded the event to accommodate more members of the Sola network.
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Sola Salon Studios, one of the largest and fastest-growing salon studio franchise in the United States, is going big for its third Sola Sessions event of 2016, increasing the number of attendees and expanding education opportunities into the nail, makeup and skincare fields. The event, which is exclusive to Sola entrepreneurs, will be held on September 12, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, CA.
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Beauty Launchpad loves stylist success stories. Like, absolutely adores them. So we polled a group of the most dynamic, passionate and talented beauty professionals around to find out when and why they decided once and for all to go solo. Rather than breaking points, these are “breakout points” – the reasons and moments these go get ‘em stylists, hairdressers and beauty pros decided it was their time to shine by opening their very own salon studios.
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So there’s a little hype right now. World-class athletes competing in an international arena at the top of their games... Know anything about it? #Olympics. #Winning. They’ve trained. They’ve competed. And now they’re going for the gold. And we’re watching with hashtags at the ready. For us, as stylists, there may not be a podium, or a torch, but we train and we strive to be at the top of our games too. #CareerGoals.
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It’s no secret—the industry is changing. Social media has upped the creative aspect and allowed you to build your own clientele, and with that comes new goals and new dreams. Maybe you’re dreaming of bigger things outside of your current salon station—having your own space where you can create, control and decide for yourself how you want to run your business and your time.
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The thought of owning your own salon may sound scary, right? Venturing out on your own for the first time can definitely be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be! Becoming your own boss comes with many benefits- having the luxury of setting your own hours, controlling what products you sell and keeping all of your profits. Beauty Launchpad sat down with five stylists who are KILLING IT at Sola Salon Studios who made the leap to find out exactly how to make the successful transition to salon owner.
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Located in Chicago, this brand new nail space is the crown jewel in the Sola Suites building on the corner of Lincoln and Roscoe. Nail techs Ellegra Davis and Nicole Rios specialize in nail art that is truly outside of the box.
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Whether you've been working in a traditional salon environment for a year, five years, 10 years or more, the thought of transitioning to your own salon suite can either be very intimidating or very liberating.
Whichever way you're feeling - these Sola Salon Studio owners say you'll be happier making the switch! Here, we dive into the past and present situations of these "Faces of Sola" and share with you a few of their success stories.
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Sola Salon Studios attracted more than 200 Sola salon professionals from across the Midwest to its second Sola Sessions event in Minneapolis, which featured talks and demonstrations from well-known salon industry leaders.
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Have you ever fantasized about owning a salon and being your own boss? Twelve years ago, Kim Bennett Horvath made that dream a reality when she became the first stylist to sign a lease at Sola Salon Studios in Denver, Colorado. The moment would be one of the most life changing decisions of Kim's career. Even though no one had done this before, "I just knew right then it was all going to be okay because there was not one thing that felt wrong. It all was just right," she explains. For Kim, the experience has been a journey that is like opening a gift that never stops giving and growing.
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Sola Salon Studios, the largest, fastest-growing salon studio franchise in the United States, today announced its second Sola Sessions event, a piece of the organization’s broader initiative to provide Sola Salon professionals with industry-leading experiential educational resources. The event is exclusive to Sola Salon professionals and will be held on April 25, 2016 at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.
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If you have yet to hear of Sola Salon Studios, get ready to familiarize yourself with the largest, fastest-growing studio franchise in the United States.
Founded in 2004, Sola provides high-quality, individually owned salons to experienced hairdressers, estheticians, nail technicians, massage therapists, and other like-minded salon professionals who come together under one roof to take their careers to the next level.
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Sola Salon Studios’ inaugural Sola Sessions event on February 8, 2016, marked the first of Sola’s exclusive events focused on providing education, networking opportunities and inspiration for Sola entrepreneurs from across the United States. The one-day event attracted 250 Sola hairdressers, estheticians and nail technicians from more than a dozen states who attended the event to learn from leading salon professional experts and educators.
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Here at BTC, we’re all about celebrating talent, independence and the stylists who have the desire to take their craft to the next level. Which means we’re totally psyched about celebrating the salon professionals below, all of whom are part of Sola Salon Studios 2016 Faces of Sola. These ten stylists, barbers, estheticians and nail technicians were chosen as examples of the opportunity and potential that Sola, the largest, fastest-growing salon studio franchise in the U.S., can deliver to salon industry professionals.
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Sola Salon Studios, the largest, salon studio franchise in the United States, has announced its inaugural Sola Session, an event that couples company culture and stylist education to provide a mutually beneficial experience for salon industry leaders and Sola owners. The event is exclusive to Sola professionals and will be held on February 8, 2016 at the Curtis Hotel in Denver, Colorado.
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There’s a term to describe the times we’re living in: the Gig Economy. The old paradigm of nine to five no longer applies. People are working from home, working on flextime, working as independent contractors. The shift is also being fueled by technology; Uber couldn’t exist in a world without smartphones. The Gig Economy has come to the salon business in the form of salon suites, an update to the former “booth rental” model. Suites are pre-equipped rentals that offer a turnkey solution to starting a salon business. Sola Salon Studios, a national suite franchise, leases high-end, fully-equipped suites that include all the major equipment needed for a fully-functional salon, ready for personalization via décor and signage.
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Kim Bennett Horvath: Kim Bennett Studios. One of the innovators of the booth rental model is Sola Salon Studios, which has over 200 suite rental salons in 36 states. In 2004, founders Stratten Smith (a former salon owner in St. Louis) and Matt Briger (an entrepreneur) created the first Sola Salon Suite in Denver. The concept was so successful that they built a few more locations before widely franchising. Kim Bennett Horvath, a Sola Studio owner and Senior National Educator for Paul Mitchell, shares her story about how partnering with the Sola brand has helped her business to thrive.
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One of the greatest benefits for owning your own boutique salon is the opportunity to increase your revenue through retail sales. At Sola Salon Studios, the possibilities are endless—from handpicking the professional brands of your choice to deciding how to market your products to clients. The intimate atmosphere provides a comfortable place to discuss your clients’ needs, allowing a level of ease for making product recommendations throughout each area of the salon.
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When you’re ready to forge your own path in the salon world, there are endless choices and decisions to be made. Should you start small? Do you hire a staff? Do you buy, or should you lease? What should your hours be? Do you have the ability to manage your own book? It's overwhelming, for sure, but finding the right partner able to offer a helping hand can make all the difference. Sola Salon Studios takes the guesswork out of salon ownership, giving stylists the freedom and opportunity to make their own way without the worry of doing it all alone.
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Kim Cline, a licensed hair stylist for more than 10 years, always wanted to run a salon without having a boss or employees to worry about. A new trend transforming the beauty industry is letting her do just that. Cline rents a salon suite from Denver-based Sola Salon Studios. Salon suites are individual salons that share a building, similar to a co-working space, where the stylists each run their own business without the costs and risk associated with a traditional salon.
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If you’ve ever dreamed about owning your own salon, but weren't sure where to start., here's a foolproof guide to getting started. First, consider the idea of owning a space at a salon studio like Sola. That way the responsibility of building management and upkeep falls on the facilities manager, and not on you, leaving you with more time to design your space to look and feel like you. Follow these 8 simple steps to turn your dream of salon ownership into a reality.
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Sola Salon Studios has grown to 5,000 salon professionals in more than 230 locations nationwide in the last 11 years, and it’s no surprise why—salon professionals have the opportunity to call their own shots and live the life they have always wanted. Freedom, flexibility and pride are what each of these talented Sola stylists have gained since making the switch. Here, a few of the 5,000 salon professionals provide 8 top reasons for becoming a business owner at Sola and how their lives have changed.
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Sola Salon Studios is having quite the year—they recently achieved an impressive 5,000 stylists in more than 230 locations, and now they have been named Top Franchise To Buy from Forbes Magazine.
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Sola Salon Studios was recently named a top franchise to buy by Forbes Magazine. The accolade and success of the company is all credited to the more than 5,000 salon professionals at 230 locations nationwide and growing.
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Denver company tops Forbes' national best-franchise list
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At ESTETICA, we want to inform other professionals on how they can become independent and the benefits of that decision. Celebrity hairstylist, Redken stylist and independent entrepreneur, Autumn Morris gives us some insight about how the life of a normal stylist, turns into that of a celebrity stylist, and ultimately results a system like Sola Salon Studios!
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Sola Salon Studios was recently named a top franchise to buy by Forbes Magazine. The accolade and success of the company is all credited to the more than 5,000 salon professionals at 230 locations nationwide and growing.
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Sola Salon Studio owner Holly Santelli may have named her Park Ridge, Illinois, suite “Serendipity Beauty Parlour,” but finding her best solo-artist life didn’t happen by chance. After a hiatus to have children, the 24-year industry veteran got back in the professional swing at an employee salon, then moved to a business that let her build on commission before eventually renting a chair.
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Salon Suites are changing the way beauty professionals conduct businesses, offering stylists the opportunity to be their own bosses and control their own schedules. Leaving a traditional salon is a big decision and there are many crucial questions to ask to help determine if transitioning to a salon suite is the right move for you. We spoke to haircare line founder and Sola Salon Studios stylist Brandie Kekoa to get her insight on the Salon Suite experience.
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Describe your business.
We put salon professionals into business for themselves by providing elegantly furnished, stand-alone salon suites.
Who are your customers?
Our customers range from traditional stylists, estheticians, manicurists and massage therapists to niche service providers and smaller beauty retailers.
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The Best Franchises To Buy 2015 – Sola Salon Studios Named Number 1 With Initial Investment > $500K
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One of the top performers on Forbes’ best franchises list, Sola Salons brings a different approach to the hairdressing business. In fact, on its balance sheet it hardly looks like a hair salon at all.
That’s because Sola Salons has a coworking-style business model. Its franchisees lease large retail spaces, then subdivide them into individual salon shops. The chain isn’t selling hair styling—it’s selling stylists. Sola recruits top performing stylists at neighborhood shops who already have a significant following. Those stylists can set up at Sola, paying rent for the opportunity to operate their own one-person business.
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Sola Salon Studios has changed the lives of thousands of salon professionals in the last 11 years. This summer, Sola is celebrating its community of more than 5,000 hairstylists and beauty professionals who are part of their family. Salon professionals come to Sola Salon Studios from every walk of life. Some are industry veterans, others have recently finished school, but they’re all looking for the same thing: To take the leap to independence by starting their own business.
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Sola Salon Studios, which has 230 locations nationwide, is celebrating a company milestone in June — more than 5,000 salon professionals owning their own businesses at Sola locations across the country, 435 of whom are nail techs.
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Sola Salon Studios is celebrating a very special milestone—5,000 salon professionals finding the freedom that comes with owning your own business. "Being able to give the American dream to thousands of stylists' has been the most rewarding business endeavor we've ever done," says Stratton Smith, Co-Founder of Sola Salon Studios. "It's all about experiencing the freedom to live the live you love."
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The concept of a salon studio is one that seems to be making more of an impact in the beauty industry. Sola Salon Studios are a prime example of this rising popularity, as more and more stylists rent the space to work from a provider like Sola.
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When you own a commission salon, attracting new clients is usually pretty simple—if your salon is located along a busy street, that is. But when you work in a salon studio, such as Sola Salon Studios (the largest salon studio concept in the country, home to nearly 5,000 providing salon professionals!) you have to focus on specific marketing tactics to successfully gain and sustain your client base.
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It’s a dream come true. You’ve signed the lease on your very own salon suite—and you’re ready to create a beautiful, inviting and private space for all of your clients. Or you’ve had a suite for a while and it’s time for a refresh. Your suite must reflect your style, your personality, your taste. It must be functional and comfortable. It must be on-trend, because after all, you’re in the style business. So… where to start? Here are guidelines from design pros to get you started on the road to designing a suite that’s totally sweet!
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You’ve been dreaming about owning your own salon, about the flexibility and autonomy of being your own boss. But, how do you know if you’re really ready?
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It’s that time of year again, when we focus on making (and keeping!) various New Year’s resolutions that support our personal goals and business endeavors. If past resolutions have fallen flat, perhaps it’s time to shift your focus. Sola Salon Studios Director of Education, Kim Bennett Horvath, looked to the Sola community—now comprised of 4,000+ salon professionals—when setting her 2015 goals, and discovered there are no limits when you’re met with Sola-style freedom. Here, Kim shares the five resolutions she has added to her list—which might, in turn, inspire you.
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Sola Salon Studios offer salon professionals the benefits of salon ownership in a salon model in which beauty professionals come together under one roof. On October 12-14 2014, in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, 175 Sola Salon Studios franchisees and managers joined vendor partners that included insurance providers, construction companies, the Sola cabinet design company and real estate professionals, to talk about their successes in growing the salon studio business.
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So you want to go out on your own, but can’t afford to open your own salon. No problem, a salon studio, like Sola Salon Studios, might be the place for you. YOU get to be the boss and make all the decisions, including setting your own schedule, picking what products to carry and decorating the space to fit your personal style. Sounds pretty good, right? But how do you successfully make it in a salon suite? We reached out to six successful Sola Salon Studios owners to find out just how they made the transition from a commissioned salon environment to a studio, and what they did to make their businesses thrive.
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You may think that a salon's success comes from its image, but it all comes down to client retention. As a boutique salon owner, your repeat clients are essential for building a booming business! Attracting new customers takes a significant amount of time and money. Instead of putting all of your energy into increasing your client base, focus on satisfying and retaining your current customers so that they never have a reason to go anywhere else.
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Sola will celebrate the opening of its 200th location this summer, providing nearly 4,000 salon professionals with fully- equipped salon spaces in which they own and operate their individual boutique salons.
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One of the best attractions for owning your own boutique salon is the opportunity to increase your revenue through retail sales. At a salon studio, the possibilities are endless—from handpicking the professional brands of your choice to deciding how to market your products to clients.
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Sola Salon Studios is among new trend of owner-operated businesses in the beauty industry.
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It’s a new year and that means new resolutions. Perhaps you have always dreamed of opening your own salon, but aren't sure exactly where to start. No worries, there are lots of ways to experience the freedom and benefits of salon ownership—one of which is to open a salon studio. If you think you have outgrown your current situation and are ready to be your own boss, take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to celebrate the successes of your own.
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The hairstylists at Sola Salons love coming to work. You would, too, if your employer told you how awesome you were the moment you arrived. The newest location, on The District's east side, greets visitors with a sign on the door that reads "The best stylists deserve their own salon." A nice pat on the back for the stylists...
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