As a community made up of over 15,000 entrepreneurs, it's no question that we are constantly in awe of the incredible dreams and accomplishments realized by our inspiring, empowering #SolaFam. So in recognition of Juneteenth, we wanted to give a special shout out to some our black Solapreneuers who truly embody what it means to achieve greatness. Our culture is built upon diversity and we are proud to recognize the contributions made to elevate our Sola community and industry as a whole. While we'd need more like a novel than a blog post to speak about all the incredible accomplishments these Faces of Sola have achieved, we've highlighted a few of our favorites below. Watch, read and enjoy getting to know these incredible members of our community as much as we have. Carlisha Duffey Nunnally @sgnaturalhairstudio, 2020 Faces of Sola Carlisha is a natural hair care and extensions specialist, as well as a makeup artist and photographer. Her mission is to guide, educate and empower each and every one of her clients. Carlisha is originally from Dallas, TX, but relocated to Kansas in support of her husband's military service. After relocating to Kansas, she decided to go to cosmetology school and go back to school for her BFA in art concentrating on painting and photography. In addition to her work behind the chair, she is a ballerina and a figure skater! On top of all of that, Carlisha is a two-time Midwest Hairstyling Awards Finalist. Is there anything she can't do?! For Carlisha, Sola has been a dream come true. "Since I was in cosmetology school, I knew I wanted to have my own salon suite. I discovered Sola, but the closest location was two hours away. I never gave up, and as fate would have it Sola Topeka opened 30 minutes from my home. I am finally on the path to creating the life I want. I am doing more of what I love. I am living my life by my own rules, and that was possible thanks to Sola." Chissel Espinal @chisselbeautystudio, 2019 Faces of Sola Growing up in the hair industry, Chissel really never imagined she would have a career in it. She always knew she was made for artistry–she studied jewelry design abroad, dappled in interior design and even taught ballroom dancing. You name it, she did it, all on a quest to explore her creative passions outside of the salon. Everyone in her family expected her to be a hairdresser. Her mother, five aunts, and her two brothers are all hairdressers and master barbers...her mother’s water even broke while she was working on a client! But it was after doing makeup on a commercial set that Chissel realized the beauty industry really was for her. Following that experience, Chissel enrolled in beauty school and has been following her calling ever since. Thanks to having eight family members in the industry, Chissel knows how to work with every type of hair. Having grown up in a salon, she has an understanding of the importance of creating bonds and relationships with clients. It's clear to us and those around her that she had it in her all along. Chissel was recently featured in Modern Salon's 25 Black Beauty Pros and Salons You Should Be Following (and we definitely agree! 😉). Cuyler Engram @cuylerdidit, 2020 Faces of Sola Cuyler is a youthful trendsetter, celebrated for his unique styles, vibrant colors, and crazy "creature makeup." He focuses on creating elevated experiences that are personalized to fit each guest's lifestyle and desires. Merging stylish sophistication with youthful vitality, he is able to produce a trend-setting creation every time. He has taught several hair color classes and techniques on national platforms such as The International Salon and Spa Expo, Premiere Orlando, and Houston Image Expo, and is now currently facilitating in-salon education for Eleven Australia. His career began in 2008 after attending the Aveda Institute-Tallahassee. His passion for beauty and art is what allows him to enhance and transform his guests' hair into customized lifestyle-based creations. Since embarking on his journey with Sola, Cuyler has significantly grown his business, knowledge and brand with the support of his Sola family. Elom Thompson @elomshairstudio, 2019 Faces of Sola Elom's journey to success is nothing short of inspiring, uplifting and amazing! Elom grew up in Togo, West Africa and moved to the United States with her husband, whom she met in 2009 while he was working in the Peace Corps. At that time, she had no salon, no clients, and no experience in the beauty industry. She spoke almost no English and had to take classes at her local community college, and once she got some English under her belt, she enrolled in beauty school because she has always had a love for doing hair. She graduated beauty school five months pregnant. After she took her state license, with a 6-week old son, she began driving around looking for a salon to call home. She sig