Our Blog

Our guest on this episode is a master at setting up systems to run an efficient business, and when it comes to using the tools and resources Sola has put forth, she leans in 100%. Listen as Tahesa Nelson, owner of Studio 406 talks about the key systems that allow her to balance her salon and personal life to feel fulfilled behind the chair and at home with her son.  Read More

As a single black mother, being a successful business owner has not been easy. However, I am confident that I am demonstrating to my son and others that being successful is rewarding.  Read More

When salons first shut down at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we immediately turned to our friends at Barbicide to educate our community on how to safely return to their salon as soon as governments allowed. We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with Barbicide and are thrilled to welcome Leslie back to the Sola community on the Sola Stories Podcast!   Read More

We are totally swooning over these stunning studios! Check out the first edition of our new "Sola's Best Of Series," featuring the top 10 studios we're crushin' on right now.  Read More

Listen up, Sola newbies! On this audio blog, we’re reading So you signed your lease, now what?  Since becoming a #SolaBoss comes with both triumphs and challenges, it's not uncommon to take a step back from being on cloud nine and ask, “What next?” Tune in for a list of to-dos and priorities you should focus on in the first few weeks of your new life as a Sola salon owner.   Read More

Financial guru Michael Cole and 2020 Faces of Sola Steven Wren teamed up to teach us four steps to embody the "Millionaire Mindset" and create a thriving, long-lasting business. Steven, owner of Steven Brandon Hair Studio in Chicago, IL, shares his journey to becoming an independent salon owner and how he makes it work in this COVID whirlwind we call. He also talks about his dreams and goal of opening his own barber school to give back and inspire the next generation of barbers.  Read More

Customer loyalty is arguably the most important factor in business today. According to Forbes, loyal customers visit more often, spend more during those visits, and provide free, word-of-mouth promotion. 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.  Read More

We often talk about how Sola is home to over 16,000 independent salon owners. In addition to our incredible group of beauty professionals, as a franchise brand, Sola is also made up of 160+ franchise groups who own and operate our 550+ locations across the United States, Canada and Brazil. On this episode, we dive into Sola's business model and give you a behind-the-scenes look into what makes our group of franchisees and managers so integral to the success of our community.  Read More

It’s one thing to dream about all the goals you want to accomplish, and it’s another to actually get there. On this Quick Tip, we are reading How to Be a Goal-Getter This Year from the Sola Blog. Tune in to hear Sola’s 5 steps to not only be a goal-setter but a goal-getter this year.  Read More

Has owning your salon been on your vision board for a little too long? Maybe it’s never crossed your mind before, but because of the pandemic, you’re on the hunt for a new salon home. Regardless of where 2020 left you, Sola is here with endless tools, resources and community to keep you dreaming in 2021. Discover how Sola can help you dream again...  Read More

At Sola, we want to provide a fresh start for those searching for a new salon home. Our guest on this episode, Annie Hayes from Jacksonville, Florida, 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.  Read More

It’s been a year of unexpected challenges, but also a year of tremendous opportunity for those who have taken the time to learn and grow through it all. For our last episode of 2020, the team behind the Sola Stories Podcast wanted to connect to reflect on the lessons this monumental, transformative year has taught us.   Read More

Terri Cowan, inspirational speaker and owner of Professional Salon Concepts, believes success starts with excellent customer service. In this episode of Sola Stories, Terri and Kim chat about the systems you need to set up to create an A+ customer experience that will bring your salon and customer retention to the next level.   Read More

As many professionals are currently under varying COVID-19 restrictions and a disruption of normal business, we’re sharing some successful retail strategies for these uncertain times. From virtual esthetician appointments to gift card offers, learn all the ways to adjust your business to our current reality – and prepare for business-as-usual in the future.  Read More

Our guest on this episode, Alexa Rose Carlin, is an entrepreneur extraordinaire and has not only built her own personal brand with an online following of over 200K but through her company, Women Empower X, has also helped thousands of women across the world reach their own entrepreneurial success. Inspired by the lessons she’s learned through her own entrepreneurial endeavors, Alexa founded WEX with the mission to help more women pursue their passions and get to the next level in their career and life.  Read More

Our guest on this episode of Sola Stories, Joey Figueiredo, comes to us from Prairie Village, Kansas. Before he was a hairdresser, he was a professional photographer, and while growing his career behind the camera, he fell in love with the world of hairdressing. After obtaining his license through an apprenticeship in Kansas City, he continued to explore his passions outside the salon, landing gigs and working behind the scenes at Fashion Week, and so much more. Joey is a successful salon owner of a double-sized studio, an educator,one of our 2019 Faces of Sola.  Read More

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.  Read More

With so much uncertainty surrounding us, the mindsets, priorities, and expectations of both you and your clients have likely changed. We’re here to help you overcome these new internal and external challenges and find your flow again behind the chair.  Read More

Full-spectrum colorist and 2020 Faces of Sola, Morgan Abernathy, has truly created a career that spans the spectrum of the beauty industry. She has gone from being told she wasn’t good enough to ever be a “great hairdresser,” to owning her own salon, educating for brands like Pulp Riot, Brazilian Bond Builder and Colortrak, and has grown an Instagram following of nearly 50K followers. Tune in to this inspirational episode of Sola Stories to hear Morgan share how she went from being homeless and living in her car, to being the flourishing owner of her salon, Colored in Chaos.  Read More

The saying goes, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” As some parts of the country approach what feels like a looming second wave, we have two options: we can ignore it, or we can prepare. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode to get prepared. Start now with these 6 ways to set yourself up for financial stability through financially unstable times.  Read More

Whether we are all in need of a little extra holiday cheer or we just can't wait to leave this year in the past...you've likely started to see the holiday season start creeping in earlier than ever this year. Like most things in 2020, the holidays are sure to have their own twist, so we're here to help you get a jumpstart on your holiday marketing and cross this year's finish line with a bang.  Read More

Emotional and financial wellness has unsurprisingly been a huge topic for our community this year. In these uncertain times, we are here to support you in any way we can, which is why we hosted a wellness webinar with industry expert and financial guru, Michael Cole, and 2020 Faces of Sola, Bianca Margolis. Together, they discussed ways to combat COVID Crisis Fatigue⁠, ways to adjust numbers to keep your business thriving⁠, and how to stay healthy, both emotionally and financially.   Read More

By signing your lease for your brand new studio at Sola, you have just made an exciting and positive change for your life and career. Since becoming your own boss and opening up your own salon comes with new challenges and responsibilities, it’s not unexpected to take a break from being on cloud nine and ask, “Where do I start?” Here’s a quick-list of tasks and items you should focus on in the first few weeks of your new #SolaBoss life.  Read More

Your salon should feel like a safe haven, for you and your guests. If you're finding yourself energetically drained at the end of each day and dreading to come to work in the mornings, you may be suffering from Covid Conversation Overload, which can affect your overall mental health and salon life satisfaction. We've put together some tips to help you navigate the tumultuous waters of our current COVID climate.  Read More

Like most things this year, the start of the school year is shaping up to look quite different for many parents. Based on your child's school county, they may be required to go back fully in-person, some are doing a hybrid mix of virtual and in-person learning, while others are mandated to do 100 percent remote learning. We have heard the buzz around our Sola community that parents are struggling to navigate this new norm, specifically regarding how it affects their life as a salon owner. But the silver lining, like most curveballs you have been thrown this year, is that you are not in this alone. In an effort to support you in finding your groove as a working parent, we hosted a panel discussion with some of our parent Faces of Sola who, too, are balancing back-to-school with life in the salon.  Read More