Why I Chose Independence: A Barber’s Journey from Booth Rent to Salon Suite

At about 30, I decided to go to barber school. After graduating, I was fortunate to start my career at a great barbershop. Like most new professionals, I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I focused on improving my craft, building relationships, and growing my clientele. Eventually, the hard work paid off, and my business was thriving.

The funny thing is, I never planned to go independent.

I Wasn’t Looking to Leave

I knew I wasn’t ready to open a traditional barbershop, and honestly, I didn’t want to. I enjoyed where I was, my clientele was growing, and owning a shop wasn’t part of the plan. I didn’t realize another business model could give me my own space without opening a shop.

Then Sola opened a brand-new location just minutes from me in Bloomingdale, IL.

I scheduled a tour. I wasn’t planning some big move. I just figured, why not check it out?

The Moment It Clicked

The tour was informative, and most importantly, there was no pressure. I saw three suite sizes, including options with windows and storefront spaces. Then I learned something that caught me completely off guard.

The smallest suite with a window cost the same as the booth rent I was already paying.

That’s when I started to see myself in that space.

Suddenly, independence didn’t feel like a huge leap. I could have my own space and create the experience I wanted for my clients, for essentially what I was already paying.

I left with a lot to think about. After talking it over with my partner and crunching the numbers, I realized the opportunity made sense for where I was in my career. A couple of months later, I opened the doors to my first suite.

Growing Into My Space

I was proud of that first suite, and my clients' support gave me a lot of confidence. That was just the start.

After about four months, I upgraded to a mid-sized storefront suite with a large window near the entrance. A few years later, I expanded again to my current space: a double unit I use as one extra-large suite.

Today, that space is much more than where I work behind the chair. I still serve my clients there, but I also use the extra room to host small-group classes and teach virtually. It’s even become my writing studio, where I’ve authored two books.

None of that was on my mind when I scheduled that first tour. I was just curious about life in a suite.

You Don’t Need a Master Plan

Looking back, that’s an important part of my story. Sometimes we put pressure on ourselves to have every step of our careers figured out, as if the next move has to be part of a master plan. Mine wasn’t.

Going independent made sense because I had already built a strong clientele and the numbers worked. I wasn’t running away from a bad situation. I was recognizing an opportunity that fit my next step.

That step gave me control over my environment, the freedom to decide on my business and schedule, and the ability to create an experience that reflects how I want to serve my clients. Over the years, my space has evolved as I have.

I didn’t plan for independence when I started my career. But it let me build a business that truly reflects who I am, and I’m excited to see how my space continues to grow with me.

Curious about suite life? Schedule a no-pressure tour at a Sola location near you.