Salon Booth Rental vs. Sola: Why Stylists Are Making the Switch

As the leading salon suite company, with over 22 years of experience and 22,000+ independent beauty professionals, Sola exists to make one thing possible: building a career entirely on your own terms.

There are many paths available to beauty professionals today, and it's not always clear which one is right for you. Booth rental has long been considered a step toward independence, but for many stylists, it turns out to be only a partial solution. We talked to three Sola pros, each with a different path and reason for switching from salon booth rental to Sola, to find out what changed once they did.

Why They Chose Independence

All three agree that going independent was the right call, just for different reasons.

Tammy loved being able to work smarter, not harder, condensing her appointments instead of spreading them across an entire day. She was also drawn to keeping 100% of her income, something booth rental didn't fully deliver.

Kim Bennett, one of Sola's earliest stylists, moved to Denver and discovered that most local salons operated on a booth rental model, so she dove in headfirst. As an independent professional, she loved being able to control her own schedule and set her own prices. "It was the start of my independence," she says.

Roxanne Muir, one of the first Sola stylists in Canada, had already tried both traditional salon ownership and booth rental before finding Sola. Booth rental solved some problems, like not having to manage staff or deal with facility issues, but it came with its own limitations. "I liked being able to see clients during hours the salon wasn't typically open, but I couldn't do that when renting a chair," she says.

The Gap Booth Rental Couldn't Fill

For Tammy, the biggest frustration with booth rental was the lack of control. She couldn't choose the music, set the cleanliness standards, or shape the overall client experience. "As a renter, you can't control the salon vibe, just yours," she explains.

That's what drew all three to Sola: the ability to be fully independent without sacrificing the structure and support of a professional space. "I decided I finally wanted to control the whole salon experience, from décor and the products I sell to the music I play," Tammy says. "When I found Sola, I fell in love and came alive again."

Roxanne describes Sola as the best of both worlds. She sets her own hours, controls her bookings, and decides where to invest in her business, while Sola handles the rest. She also values the privacy her studio provides. "I feel like I'm back in control of my career and less stressed," she says.

For Kim, Sola's turnkey model was the deciding factor: a fully equipped, high-end studio paired with the tools and support to focus entirely on her craft. Owning her space also means she can shape the client experience from the moment someone walks in.

More Than Just a Suite

Beyond schedule freedom and creative control, Sola offers ongoing education, community events, and access to leading brands and educators in the beauty industry. "Education in this industry used to be purely artistic. Now it's about growing your business too," Kim says. "You can't just do a great haircut anymore. You need to know how to market yourself, build your brand, and showcase your retail."

Tammy, who had limited access to education as a booth renter, has taken full advantage of Sola's ongoing education and resources. "All of this keeps your career on fire and helps you keep improving," she says.

Retail Growth and Real Ownership

Retail sales have grown significantly for all three stylists since going independent, especially now that they choose their own product lines and keep 100% of the profit. "I'm a terrible poker player," Roxanne laughs, "so I can't fake it with clients. But selling what I actually believe in is easy, and they trust me because of it." Kim covers her weekly rent through retail sales alone, and Tammy says her retail revenue has tripled since moving.

The Bigger Impact

For all three, the shift to Sola has meant more than just a better business model; it's changed their day-to-day lives. "I feel supported in whatever I want to pursue, and cheered on along the way," Kim says.

"Being able to control my hours is a total game-changer," Roxanne adds. "If I want a long weekend, I work the Sunday before and after, so my income isn't affected." Try doing that at a traditional salon or under booth rental.

"Everything I've wanted from my career, I've been able to build with Sola," Tammy says.

Ready to Make the Move?

If you're currently renting a booth and wondering what independence could really look like, these stories are proof: there's a difference between renting a chair and building a business. Learn more about what makes Sola different, and find a studio near you to start your own independent journey.