Style central
Independent salon owner Katy Perry colors customer Heather Kirby’s hair. Perry likes the freedom that comes with her studio space at Sola Salons.KERRY FIRTH PHOTOS
Sola Salons give cosmetologists room to shine
BY KERRY FIRTH
Anthony Tarantino has been a Sola Salons independent stylist for four years and loves his freedom. He says he has been in the business for 18 years and this is the happiest he has been. KERRY FIRTH PHOTOS
Starting your own business is never easy. But there’s one company that has helped more than 22,000 salon professionals transition from being an employee of a salon to being their own boss. Sola Salons offers cosmetology professionals an opportunity to lease fully equipped, private studios, and then provides support and tools to launch those businesses.
Sola Salons was founded in 2004 as a pathway for beauty professionals to create the life and career they’ve dreamed about. The company’s concept — building a community of beauty professionals by offering individualized studios in a shared building — has grown exponentially in the past two decades. There are now 707 individually owned and operated Sola Salons franchise locations in the United States. Each professional or business operating a studio within a Sola Salon is independently owned and operated.
Heather Safrit owns 12 franchise locations in South Florida and Georgia, including the one in Vero Beach. “I grew up in an entrepreneurial family and recognized the opportunity the studio model presented. Simply, the high cost of entry to set up a salon deters many from opening their own business. Not only is it great for the stylist, financially, but it gives them flexibility to manage their own time, set their own pricing and create an atmosphere as personal as they are. It’s a joy to watch them flourish and succeed.”
Safrit opened Sola Salons in Vero Beach in 2016 and has been operating at nearly full capacity ever since. Its location on 21st Avenue, in the heart of Vero Beach’s Miracle Mile retail district, is within walking distance of fine restaurants and shopping with easy access to plenty of parking. There are 32 individual studios, designed for hair stylists, estheticians and other professionals in the cosmetology industry. Studio sizes range from a standard single to large and double sizes. Each studio is equipped with bowls, cabinets, lighting and shelving fixtures. Restrooms, kitchen and laundry facilities are shared by the tenants. All of the amenities, utilities and even Wi-Fi, are included in their weekly rent.
“Most of our tenants stay a long time,” Safrit continued. “For an industry that generally has a lot of change, we don’t have a lot of that. Once we make a commitment to them, we make sure they have everything they need. We really don’t see people leaving us, unless they are retiring or they want to open their own traditional studio with other stylists working for them. They leave to grow or to retire. They generally don’t go back to work for someone else again.”
Anthony Tarantino has been at Sola Salons for four years and has seen his income triple from the days he worked hourly or on commission for larger salons. “I’ve been doing hair for 18 years and this is the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve got the freedom and control to do what I want and interact with my customers without interference from others. My customers love the intimacy of the one on one. I can use the products that I like best as opposed to being told what products a larger salon endorsed. My customers book with me directly — either by calling or texting me or through an easy app — and I schedule them around my schedule. I’ve taken time off when I want to, without any problems, since I am the one doing the scheduling.”
COVID-19 was what prompted Tarantino to make the move. “I worked at a salon that did not require mask wearing,” he recalled. “There was a woman seated at the station, right next to me, who brought her child with her because she had tested positive for COVID and couldn’t go to school. The child was running around and touching everything and exposing everyone to COVID. There is a big difference being in a big salon with a lot of people versus being in one area with one person. It’s incredibly safer.”
Sola Salons in Vero Beach has 32 private studios leased to independent beauty professionals. Heather Safrit, owner of the Sola Salons, owns seven other franchises in South Florida and three in Savannah, Georgia. KERRY FIRTH PHOTOS
FOCUS
Perry stocks all her favorite lines of styling products in her private studio, and she likes the flexibility she is now afforded. KERRY FIRTH PHOTOS
Katy Perry also switched from working on commission at larger salons to becoming sole proprietor of her own business at Sola Salons. “A former co-worker told me about this place, and I was looking to make a change. At the time I inquired, I had to wait six months for an opening. But the minute it opened, I made the move. I’ve been here three years now.
“The flexibility is what I love most about being my own boss. I don’t feel guilty about taking time off for other things. I got all the support I needed from corporate to start my business and they are incredibly responsive to all my needs. I don’t have to worry about maintenance or utilities. I just have to attend to my customers.”
Speaking of customers, Heather Kirby was getting her hair done by Perry during the interview.
“I like the one-on-one attention and the speed and efficiency of being able to get in and out,” Kirby said. “It’s far more enjoyable than sitting in a salon with conversations going on all around you.”
Tarantino and Perry agree that one of the best things about working in a community of beauty professionals is the camaraderie. Even though each professional is building their own brand and servicing their own clientele, they often share new techniques and trade secrets with each other. Plus, they are quick to celebrate each other’s successes.
Sola Salons is on track to open 60-70 more franchises in the upcoming year. The power is in the balance of freedom and community. Stylists control their own environment and decide their own comfort level, while also benefiting from the guidance and support from the national team. It’s a win for the franchise owner, a win for the independent business owner and ultimately a win for the customer.
