Sola Stories

It is our mission to empower you to elevate your career as an independent beauty professional and experience the freedom of salon ownership. That’s why we want to make sure you know about all the powerful tools and resources that are available to you as a Sola professional.  

From helping new clients discover you, to streamlining your processes, we are here to help you feel successful in and out of the salon.  

Tune in to hear 5 Sola resources you may not have known about.

Time Stamps

[0:27] – 5 Sola resources you may not have been aware of

[1:05] – BeautyHive

[2:14] – SolaGenius

[3:07] – PerkSpot

[3:34] – Access PerkSpot deals through the Sola Pro app.

[4:03] – On-demand education in Sola Pro.

[4:40] – You can still access The Sola Sessions Reconnected.

[4:50] – BookNow

Links and Resources

5 Sola Resources You May Not Have Known About

@solasalons Instagram

Sola Salons Studios

BeautyHive

SolaGenius

Sola Pro

The Sola Sessions Reconnected

BookNow

Let’s face it, charging what you’re worth is sometimes easier said than done. But when you are equipped with the education to assess the financial breakdown of your business, it becomes a whole lot easier to understand your value and have confidence to charge what you’re worth. 

Joining us on the Sola Stories Podcast is Nina Tulio, an industry leading salon business consultant, speaker, and educator, having worn many different hats over the last twenty-five years. She started a consulting agency in 2016 to help salon owners and stylists grow their business, create (and stick to) a budget, and set boundaries. Her latest venture has allowed her to combine both her love for helping people and her love for the industry, and she is here to help stylists and salon owners set prices based on fact, not fear.

Listen now to hear Nina as she talks about understanding your value before discovering your worth, how to save smarter and (like putting aside 3-6 months worth of operating expenses in a savings account), how to avoid guilt when raising prices and refusing discounts, and so much more.

In This Episode

[0:33] – Nina Tulio is this episode's guest.

[2:40] – Parallels between Nina's teachings and Sola's teachings.

[3:18] – Nina's journey in the beauty industry and her current consultant agency.

[5:26] – Specifics on what Nina offers to hairdressers through her program.

[7:37] – Nina has a podcast – No Stylist Left Behind!

[8:34] – Charging what your value is and how to determine that.

[11:30] – How someone determines what they're going to charge when they go directly to a studio.

[13:27] – Do your pricing based on facts, not fear.

[15:40] – How to budget properly.

[18:14] – Why some suite owners overspend on supplies.

[20:23] – Jennie discusses BeautyHive.

[22:00] – Percentages involve your prices as well as your spending.

[24:57] – How to know when to raise your prices.

[27:57] – Nina believes that salon owners should share with clients beforehand that a price increase is coming.

[29:50] – Nina also believes that it's a good idea to share with clients why you're increasing your prices.

[31:48] – Why many salon owners give emotional discounts and how to stop doing it.

[34:51] – Giving discounts is essentially the same as giving money away.

[37:57] – Become comfortable with looking into your numbers! (If you don't know your numbers, you don't know your business!)

[39:45] – Trust in yourself and in your skills!

[41:15] – Where listeners can connect with Nina.

Links and Resources

Sola Salon Studios' Instagram Page

Sola Salons Studios – Website

SolaGenius

Nina’s Instagram Page

Nina’s Website

Make That Money! Course

The Synergy Course

No Stylist Left Behind Podcast

Sola Stories - Episode 17: Crisis Creates Opportunity with Michael Cole

Sola Stories - Episode 50: Quick Tip: Understanding Your Sola Business

BeautyHive – Website

Let’s face it, charging what you’re worth is sometimes easier said than done. But when you are equipped with the education to assess the financial breakdown of your business, it becomes a whole lot easier to understand your value and have confidence to charge what you’re worth. 

Joining us on the Sola Stories Podcast is Nina Tulio, an industry leading salon business consultant, speaker, and educator, having worn many different hats over the last twenty-five years. She started a consulting agency in 2016 to help salon owners and stylists grow their business, create (and stick to) a budget, and set boundaries. Her latest venture has allowed her to combine both her love for helping people and her love for the industry, and she is here to help stylists and salon owners set prices based on fact, not fear.

Listen now to hear Nina as she talks about understanding your value before discovering your worth, how to save smarter and (like putting aside 3-6 months worth of operating expenses in a savings account), how to avoid guilt when raising prices and refusing discounts, and so much more.

In This Episode

[0:33] – Nina Tulio is this episode's guest.

[2:40] – Parallels between Nina's teachings and Sola's teachings.

[3:18] – Nina's journey in the beauty industry and her current consultant agency.

[5:26] – Specifics on what Nina offers to hairdressers through her program.

[7:37] – Nina has a podcast – No Stylist Left Behind!

[8:34] – Charging what your value is and how to determine that.

[11:30] – How someone determines what they're going to charge when they go directly to a studio.

[13:27] – Do your pricing based on facts, not fear.

[15:40] – How to budget properly.

[18:14] – Why some suite owners overspend on supplies.

[20:23] – Jennie discusses BeautyHive.

[22:00] – Percentages involve your prices as well as your spending.

[24:57] – How to know when to raise your prices.

[27:57] – Nina believes that salon owners should share with clients beforehand that a price increase is coming.

[29:50] – Nina also believes that it's a good idea to share with clients why you're increasing your prices.

[31:48] – Why many salon owners give emotional discounts and how to stop doing it.

[34:51] – Giving discounts is essentially the same as giving money away.

[37:57] – Become comfortable with looking into your numbers! (If you don't know your numbers, you don't know your business!)

[39:45] – Trust in yourself and in your skills!

[41:15] – Where listeners can connect with Nina.

Links and Resources

Sola Salon Studios' Instagram Page

Sola Salons Studios – Website

SolaGenius

Nina’s Instagram Page

Nina’s Website

Make That Money! Course

The Synergy Course

No Stylist Left Behind Podcast

Sola Stories - Episode 17: Crisis Creates Opportunity with Michael Cole

Sola Stories - Episode 50: Quick Tip: Understanding Your Sola Business

BeautyHive – Website

You've spent a ton of time and energy making your space perfect for your guests. What if your salon could create an amazing experience for your current clients while also attracting new clients to your chair? It's easier than you may think. What initially drew you to a salon studio environment, and how can you market those benefits to your clients, too?

The latest Sola Stories Podcast was created from a recorded Clubhouse room that we hosted with salon owner, Hunter Donia. We chatted all about why and how to market, not only your services, but your actual salon environment to its full potential. Various Sola professionals also share their experiences and how they market their salons. Tune in as they share helpful insights and bounce around creative and effective ways to market your salon environment. 

If you're not yet on Clubhouse, we strongly encourage you to join and follow Sola, Hunter Donia and Angela Ribbler so that you can be a part of future conversations like this one every Tuesday morning!

In This Episode

[0:28] – How to market your salon environment to the max with Hunter Donia and Angela Ribbler on Clubhouse.

[1:58] – There is an episode of the podcast about why you should join Clubhouse.

[2:34] – Be sure to join the Sola club on Clubhouse.

[3:29] – What it means to market your salon environment to the max

[5:25] – Hunter gives an example of marketing your brand.

[8:45] – What drew you to your preferred salon environment?

[10:40] – Angela argues that you should get creative and make use of what you can do.

[15:49] – Be transparent about the experience that you create for clients.

[18:22] – Angela shares a story of helping her close friend – who is transgender – find a hairdresser.

[21:46] – Christina reveals what about her salon will make for a unique experience.

[24:13] – Angela enthuses over a video from Hunter's Instagram page.

[25:41] – Christina's process of showing and/or telling clients about her environment.

[28:47] – Sola partners with beauty professionals for them to share their stories, and Angela explains why that's important.

[32:07] – Emily's salon is one of the only salons in her area that is LGBTQ+ friendly.

[34:36] – Your talent and the appearance of your salon don't matter if you don't market yourself.

[37:35] – Hunter talks about charging what you're worth and raising your prices.

[42:57] – Sola professionals can use SolaGenius for a low price.

[45:13] – Sydney uses video to market herself and wants to take that to another level.

[47:09] – Simplify your pricing for online booking as much as possible.

[52:14] – Take advantage of story highlights on Instagram and use Instagram's Guides feature.

[55:00] – You could group your Instagram story highlights by hair color.

[57:27] – Survey people. Ask them what they want!

[59:58] – Sola's recent episode about the updated mask mandates.

[1:02:16] – Hunter's opinion about safety during current times.

[1:05:03] – Hunter and Angela bring the episode to a close.

Links and Resources

Links and Resources

@solasalons

Hunter's Instagram: @hairbyhunty

Angela's Instagram: @acontentqueen

“5 Reasons Beauty Professionals Should Join Clubhouse”

“How to Respond to Changing Mask Guidelines as an Independent Salon Owner”

BeautyHive

Danielle Green, passionate activist, educator, social media sensation and Radically Curly Salon owner, joins us on this episode to share how she turned her passion of textured hair into her life purpose. Danielle grew up in the beauty industry as an apprentice to her mother, and has now been in her Sola studio in Las Vegas for eleven years. She and her team specialize in and celebrate curly hair, with the mission to empower clients with all hair types and textures to feel confident wearing their crown.

Danielle is a strong advocate for the Crown Act, created to outlaw discrimination based on hair style and texture in workplaces and public schools. She has also started her own petition to create a curriculum for curly and textured hair in all cosmetology schools. Join us to talk about the beauty and meaning of textured hair, why and how to become an advocate for change and how to empower future generations to embrace the natural fabric of their hair.

In This Episode

[0:33] – Danielle Green introduces herself and why she is passionate about textured and curly hair.

[0:49] – Jennie and Danielle explain what the CROWN Act prohibits.

[1:16] – Danielle shares some background information.

[4:00] – Danielle shares her story of being in the beauty industry.

[5:54] – A crisis can lead to growth and new opportunities.

[7:09] – How Radically Curly grew as a brand.

[9:20] – Where the name Radically Curly comes from.

[10:54] – Radically Curly operates together as a team.

[12:36] – Radically Curly's multicultural element.

[14:16] – Danielle's struggle with her curly hair in the past.

[17:15] – Various ethnicities are affected by curly hair bias.

[19:35] – Standards of beauty are arbitrary and change throughout history.

[21:20] – The CROWN Act protects people like Danielle.

[23:56] – The CROWN Act has been passed in Nevada and sixteen other states as well.

[26:32] – We are headed in the right direction, but there is still work to be done.

[29:13] – What Danielle did in Nevada to use her voice and make a difference.

[32:22] – Danielle has created a cosmetology petition to raise awareness.

[34:54] – Why all hairdressers should be taught about naturally curly hair in cosmetology school.

[36:24] – Mothers sometimes come into salons with daughters with very different hair types than theirs.

[38:57] – Internal and external problems are caused by shame.

[41:50] – Kenya Kirk and her program, Mommy and Me.

[44:04] – Danielle's contact info.

Links and Resources

Sola Salon Studios' Instagram Page

Sola Salons Studios – Website

The CROWN Act - Website

Radically Curly Salon - Website

Radically Curly - Instagram Page

Radically Curly - Twitter Page

Radically Curly - Facebook Page

Cosmetology Petition

Faces of Sola Series: Kenya Kirk

BeautyHive - Website

The Sola Sessions Reconnected – Buy On-Demand Ticket

What would you do with a few more hours back in your day? Spend more time with your family? Squeeze in a few more appointments? Relax? No matter your answer, the beauty of being the boss is that your time and schedule is completely in your hands. We're just here to help you spend less time doing busy work and more time doing what you love. Follow these five tips to save yourself time and give yourself the peace of mind you need and deserve as a go-getting salon owner!

Time Stamps

[0:32] – 5 tips to save time in the salon from the Sola blog

[1:10] – Tip #1 – Clean as you go.

[1:58] – Tip #2 – Keep your salon stocked with BeautyHive.

[3:12] – Tip #3 – Use an online booking system like SolaGenius.

[4:09] – Tip #4 – Intentionally schedule your time.

[4:58] – Tip #5 – Stick to a consistent schedule.

[5:44] – The Sola Sessions Reconnected.

Links and Resources

Sola Blog

@solasalons

Sola Salons Studios

SolaGenius

BeautyHive

The Sola Sessions Reconnected – Buy On-Demand Ticket

Could your Instagram be doing more to build your business? In this episode of Sola Stories, Sola’s CMO, Jennie Wolff, and Content Queen, Angela Ribbler, team up to share useful tips to help you level up your salon’s Instagram. 

Tune in to learn what an effective Instagram bio and feed look like and why they are important for the health of your business. Do you need a business profile? Why should you make sure your profile is set to public? How do you capture your audience’s attention before they leave your page? We cover all of this and so much more on this must-listen episode.

Consistency is also important – having a consistent color scheme, background and posting schedule. We also share why it's important to engage with your followers and encourage interaction rather than just using your Instagram page as a megaphone.

Want more social media tips from the pros? Be sure to check out our library of on-demand Sola Sessions content, available through to the end of 202, for just $29! 

Do you have a question we haven’t answered? Reach out to us @solasalons! We would love to hear how we can support you further. 

Time Stamps

[0:24] – How to level up your Instagram account

[1:40] – Differences between how you set up a personal Instagram profile and a business Instagram profile

[2:54] – Make your business profile public

[4:42] – Some Instagram features that should be used by salon businesses and why you should use them

[7:17] – Instagram's live feature is a great way to talk about products that you use and sell.

[7:58] – How making your Instagram feed unique to your own style is important

[9:15] – Instagram's Highlights feature is also very useful.

[10:32] – A tip on creating a well-rounded and varied Instagram feed

[12:14] – Why should someone follow you? What makes your feed unique?

[13:24] – How to plan your platform in a more specific way

[15:52] – How to write an effective bio

[16:49] – Your Instagram account should highlight where you're located and what you specialize in

[19:41] – Special certifications should be in your bio.

[20:28] – Post consistently and regularly.

[23:50] – Using good backdrops in your photos

[25:34] – Ways that you can establish engagement

[28:59] – Social media shouldn't be a megaphone; it should be interactive.

[31:44] – An example of targeting your hashtags toward your audience

[33:18] – An effective hashtag and a Book Now button can lead to a full service experience.

[34:30] – The Sola Sessions Reconnected On-Demand.

Links and Resources

@solasalons

Sola Salons Studios

The Sola Sessions Reconnected On-Demand

Later - Social Media Planner

Plann - Social Media Planner

Sola Stories, Episode 36: Quick Tip: Hashing Out Hashtags with Angela Ribbler + Jennie Wolff

BeautyHive

As an independent salon owner, the return to “business as usual” can result in some critical decision-making to maintain health and safety while avoiding conflict and discomfort. In this time of shifting mask regulations, we want to make sure you are equipped as a small business owner with options for communicating new salon rules to clients amongst varying comfort levels and circumstances. 

Time Stamps

[0:28] – How to respond to changing mask guidelines as an independent salon owner, from the Sola blog.

[1:08] – CDC has loosened the mandate for vaccinated Americans.

[1:50] – What the new rules mean for salon owners.

[2:39] – Several routes you can take to manage updated mask policies for your salon. The first is following state and local guidance.

[3:58] – Some sample messaging for clients aligning with local guidance.

[4:42] – The second route is continuing the same mask policy.

[5:36] – Sample messaging for clients continuing mask policy.

[6:20] – Route #3 – survey your clientele.

[7:02] – Survey example for clients

[9:09] – Fourth possible route is to address masks on a case-by-case basis.

[9:43] – Suggested question to ask clients

[10:54] – Place health, comfort, and safety above all else.

Links and Resources

Sola Salon Studios' Instagram Page

Sola Salons Studios – Website

The Sola Blog

SolaGenius

The Sola Sessions Reconnected – Buy On-Demand Ticket

On this episode, we’re bringing you a clip of one of our 20+ classes from The Sola Sessions Reconnected and we’re talking all about pricing strategies, specifically how to charge what you're worth. We're joined by three Faces of Sola - Joey Figueiredo (owner of Daicy // Figueiredo), Bianca Margolis (owner of B. Rose Studio), and Ashley Lantz (owner of Mauve), who each talk a little bit about how they got started in the beauty industry and how raising their prices has helped them elevate their careers.

We discuss the various reasons why a salon owner would raise their prices and how they know when it’s the right time to do it. Joey, Bianca and Ashley also each offer some helpful advice on raising prices and how to go about doing it. Reach out to any one or all three of them for additional advice and/or if you're looking for a mentor, and don't forget that you can still watch the panels from The Sola Sessions Reconnected on-demand all the way through to the end of 2021!

Time Stamps

[0:24] – Pricing strategies and how to charge what you're worth.

[1:07] – A little bit of background information about Joey, Bianca, and Ashley and how they set their prices at the beginnings of their journeys.

[3:20] – Some things that Joey considers when deciding on prices and when to increase them such as location, what kind of studio you're in, rent, and product and inventory.

[3:58] – Bianca's prices reflect on her being the best that she can be.

[4:17] – How hourly pricing is on the rise and what the benefits of it are.

[6:23] – How salon owners might know that it's time to raise prices.

[8:47] – It's funny when other people – especially clients – tell you that you're not charging enough.

[9:58] – Whether or not there is a limit to how often you should raise your prices.

[12:10] – How Bianca decides it's time to raise her prices.

[13:37] – Salon owners frequently experience fear when it comes to raising prices.

[15:33] – Bianca feels that you lose clients regardless of whether or not your prices get raised.

[17:26] – Raising your prices will not usually result in clients tipping less.

[19:21] – How salon owners can communicate that prices are being raised.

[21:52] – Should salon owners explain to their clients why they're increasing their prices?

[24:26] – Justify your price increases if you feel that you have to, but you don't need to apologize for them.

Links and Resources

@solasalons

Sola Salons Studios

The Sola Sessions Reconnected – Get On-Demand Access

@stylistjoey

@b.rosestudio

@ashleylantzhair

@jenniethewolff

BeautyHive.com

PRAVANA

Tim Storey, life coach, humanitarian, author and motivational speaker, joins us in this episode to share his uplifting energy and talk about things such as how he got involved in the beauty industry and how discovery is just as important as recovery. Kim and Tim also discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted not only beauty professionals but humanity in general and how we can turn this and other setbacks into comebacks.

We are very excited to have Tim as a keynote speaker at our upcoming virtual event The Sola Sessions Reconnected. Tune in for a sneak peak of some of the inspiration and motivation you’ll get from Tim on our virtual Sessions stage and what he is most looking forward to about connecting with our community at the event. 

Grab your ticket today and join us live on Monday, May 17 or on-demand through the end of 2021!

Time Stamps

[0:23] – Kimi Kisses introduces Tim Storey, a keynote speaker at The Sola Sessions Reconnected.

[3:35] – How Tim Storey got involved in the beauty industry.

[5:04] – The beauty industry tends to be inclusive.

[6:48] – What Tim meant when he said that it's a comeback, not just a setback.

[8:55] – Tim's quote about setbacks turning into comebacks helped Kimi during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[10:36] – You can surprise yourself by going somewhere where you've never been before or do something that you've never done before.

[13:48] – Kimi's biggest discovery was self-love.

[14:34] – COVID-19 made many of us become human beings rather than human doings.

[16:25] – Tim Storey's book, The Miracle Mentality

[19:14] – People need to make room for magic in their lives.

[22:29] – Kimi gives an example from her own life about the importance of making room for magic.

[25:00] – What Tim is most excited to share at The Sola Sessions Reconnected

[27:57] – What the word reconnected means to Tim and how disconnection leads to gratitude

[30:00] – Tim's example of how COVID-19 has changed our perception of things

[31:45] – Tim is currently reading his own book.

[33:00] – Tim would tell his younger self to calm down.

[35:44] – Tim lives a life that he loves by being in the moment.

[36:52] – Where listeners can find Tim online

[39:10] – You may not be what you want to be, but be thankful that you're not what you used to be.

Links and Resources

@solasalons Instagram

Sola Salons Studios - Website

The Sola Sessions Reconnected – Buy Ticket

Tim Storey – The Miracle Mentality: Tap into the Source of Magical Transformation in Your Life

Tim Storey’s Instagram Page

Tim Storey’s Twitter Page

Tim Storey’s Facebook Page

BeautyHive

Matrix