Our Blog

Kim Bennett Horvath loves working behind the chair. For her, making clients feel beautiful is a magical and powerful experience. Kim decided that it was time to tap the power of technology to manage her business and continue perfecting her clients’ experiences. However, she didn’t want just any business management solution. Here’s what Sola Stylist Kim Horvath’s business was missing for 20 years while using pen and paper.  Read More

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?  Read More

Being grateful makes us feel happier. It really is that simple! Find ways to focus on the everyday things that fill you with joy, and you can turn what you already have into everything you could possibly want. No need to wait until Thanksgiving Day: Start unlocking the fullness of life right now with these practical tips from Sola stylists.  Read More

Fernie Adame is giving thanks on so many levels this Thanksgiving. He was diagnosed with skin cancer last year and can happily say he has beaten it and is cancer-free today. In addition to that, he has opened up his second Sola location and is successfully operating two salons in two different cities in two different states, New Mexico and Nevada. Business is booming thanks to a clever social media strategy he'd like to share with you all, today.  Read More

On Monday, November 6, 2017, 200 Sola professionals from across the nation gathered at the Juniper Hotel Cupertino for the Sola Sessions: San Jose. Wow. We at Sola are overwhelmed with gratitude for the #SolaFam and all the artists and educators who joined us for a one-of-a-kind day filled with new ideas, budding friendships, awesome stories, and more than a little magic.  Read More

Find out how Amber Lee, owner of Roots Hair Studio in Wilmington, North Carolina has built her business to having a 2-3 month wait list for new clients. Private salons like the ones offered at Sola are very conducive to building strong relationships with salon guests. “You’re alone in your studio, and you have that intimate, one-on-one time with your clients,” Amber says. “What I love about Sola is that you aren’t totally alone. You also have a family to empower you.”  Read More

As a small business owner, now is your chance to capitalize on the holiday cheer. By now, most of your guests have already made Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s plans, and you know they are going to want a haircut, color, eyebrow wax, facial, manicure and spray tan before they go home and potentially run the risk of bumping into any old exes unprepared. And in addition to the fact that everyone hits the salon before their slew of holiday parties, you have an awesome opportunity as a salon owner to kick up your retail sales, too. So read on for a checklist chalk full of ideas…’cause it’s time to SLEIGH.  Read More

Kenya Kirk is one of our 2017 Faces of Sola who is quite savvy when it comes to creating events and services in her salon that help her book stay full and keep clients consistent with pre-brooking. In addition to thinking outside the client retention box, she is giving back to her community in a beautiful way with a nonprofit dedicated to making wigs for kids with cancer. In this Q&A, she shares some wisdom that will help you grow your heart and your own businesses.  Read More

Social media is a crowded place. Learn how to create content that stands out, tells a compelling story and captivates your followers in a way that's unique to you!  Read More

With more than 30 years experience behind the chair, Peter G' is sharing his best tips for staying on the cutting edge of education and paying his studio rent in retail!  Read More

This season, make your studio a place for tricks and treats with simple marketing strategies that won’t break the bank.  Read More

Have you ever cut or colored someone’s hair and at the end of the appointment, they say they love it, pay you (with tip) and you send them on their merry way? Of course, that happens every day! Well, we all know that once in a blue moon, that same person contacts you the very next morning through phone or text and says that she is unhappy and wants her money back, or asks if you can to re-do it. Yep, it happens. How do you respond? It often puts people at a loss for words. You thought everyone was happy and then suddenly you are hit with this confusion. How do you handle it?  Read More

This cut and color is perfect for that client who wants a bright-as-the-sun blonde and a modern haircut and style to accompany it. We spotted this cut/color combo on Jennifer LaVinge’s Instagram (@jenniferlavignehair) and got her color formulas, cutting how-to, and styling steps so that you can recreate this in your own Sola studio.  Read More

Ashley Lecroy and Sabrina Solis just took their first vacation in two years! And the stylists have had plenty to toast to since opening their joint salon – Lush Hair Studio – in July of 2015 at Sola San Marcos. When Ashley and Sabrina met a decade ago in beauty school, the two were fast friends. The stylists even share a similar story regarding their journey into the industry. After high school, both Ashley and Sabrina enrolled in college for a semester — then promptly switched to cosmetology school!  Read More

We know that people can get comfortable and complacent working for someone else, but when a salon environment becomes toxic and the salon owner/manager isn’t willing to invest in your future, it’s time to make a change. Case in point for Sue Scott, Owner of Wisp Salon in Alexandria, Virginia, who went with her gut instinct and took a leap of faith. She shares her story, some tips on how to keep clients excited, and some things to keep in mind when you’re giving your next client consultation.  Read More

A new moon occurs this Saturday, September 16, and in astronomy, this is a time when the sun and moon are perfectly aligned. Many astrologists believe that the moon is the ruler of our emotions, and a new moon is a time for transformations, new beginnings — maybe even a new hairdo! Read on for a special astrological list designed to help you figure out which styles are best for your clients based on their zodiac signs. If they can’t decide on a cut, why not let the stars pick for them?  Read More

Fall back into savings! The weather is cold, but these deals are hot! We know some of these lines sound super cheesy, but there’s a reason small business owners use them anyway. Seasonal marketing works! As summer winds down, grab the attention of your clients with these simple seasonal marketing strategies.  Read More

Aside from annual increases in cost of living (and dare we mention, salon studio rent), there are so many reasons why a salon owner should routinely raise their prices every 12-18 months. Perhaps you’re booked solid and you simply don’t have enough hours in the day to make more money. Or maybe you’re realizing that it’s been years since you’ve raised your prices, but your rent and cost of back bar have seen a slight uptick in the same amount of time. No matter the reason, you don’t need to defend when and why it’s time to raise your prices. You owe it to yourself to measure and understand your value, and don’t be afraid to do so! Your services are worth it. We reached out to seven Faces of Sola who generously shared all about how they handle raising their prices.  Read More

An optimized social media profile will tell your followers who you are and what your profile is about. Here are a few simple ways you can optimize your social media profiles to make sure you’re getting the most value possible from your social media marketing.   Read More

Growing a beauty business isn’t just about keeping existing clients, it’s also about attracting new clients. How can you do both? It's easy - use the power of reviews! Reviews give potential clients access to feedback from other clients. Having a collection of detailed, positive reviews makes it more likely for potential clients to be confident in booking you!  Read More

NYC-based hairstylist Sade Williams worked at one of the most prestigious salons in the industry, but knew she had the potential to build her own brand. In this in depth Q&A, she shares why she left working at Ted Gibson’s salon, tips on how to find a mentor and create a portfolio, and ways to land more freelance work. She also explains how creating an apprenticeship/assistant program helped her bring that big-city level of service to her 150 square-foot Sola studio.  Read More

“I’m one of the old dogs around here,” says Ralph Lyman, owner of Hair Mechanix at Sola Shoppes at the Village in Green Bay. Ralph has been working in the industry for 24 years — but he might not have gotten into hair at all if it hadn’t been for a friend convincing him to move to Green Bay on a whim! But before long, he was touring a cosmetology school in the area, and Ralph says, “I just fell in love.” The hairdresser, you see, had always loved art – especially sculpting – and his newfound passion was strikingly similar to his former pastime.  Read More

You wear so many hats as an independent salon owner at Sola. You’re an artist, receptionist, bookkeeper, marketing director and so much more. What if you could simplify your day-to-day and focus on being an artist? Introducing your new best friend, a technology solution that was truly made just for you: SolaGenius. We recently caught up with eight SolaGenius rock stars to find out the ways technology is helping to run their businesses efficiently. From online booking to customer management to point-of-sale, there are so many ways SolaGenius can help Run Your Sola Like a Boss.  Read More

Next time you need a quick burst of energy during a long and hectic day behind the chair, try one of these tips for increasing vitality – naturally!  Read More

Throughout our time at Paul Mitchell’s Business rEvolution, our brains were filled with knowledge and our hearts were touched by the love and energy that filled the room. Topics ranged from social media to retailing to business by the numbers, but much of the magic was in the wisdom and profound messages that inspired us to think deeper, to think bigger. The greatest honor of all was seeing our very own Culture Ambassador, Kim Bennett Horvath, on stage among the legends, including John Paul DeJoria, Robert Cromeans, Winn Claybaugh and Tim Storey. For a taste of the inspiration, check out 12 of the lessons learned...  Read More