In an insightful interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Lori Merrall, Vice President of Franchise Sales at Sola Salon Studios, discussed the unique aspects of the Sola Salon franchise model. She explained how their turnkey salon studio concept offers a hassle-free and cost-effective solution for salon professionals looking to start and run their own businesses. Highlighting the model’s flexibility, she detailed how franchisees can customize their studios to align with local market tastes and demands. Lori also shed light on the growing demand for Sola Salons in Canada, underscoring the significant opportunities this creates for both current and prospective franchisees. Emphasizing the benefits of the established Sola Salon brand, she pointed out the significant control it offers Canadian beauty professionals over their business operations, from pricing to service offerings. Furthermore, Lori highlighted the importance of community within Sola Salons and the role of the Sola Pro educational platform in enhancing the professional development of beauty entrepreneurs through various resources.
Lori Merrall is the Vice President of Franchise Sales for Sola Salon Studios. Previously she was with BrightStar Care, and prior to that worked in similar capacities with Massage Envy Franchising, and Kahala Brands. Before the franchise industry, Lori worked in advertising and sponsorship sales for the Arizona Coyotes and has spent the bulk of her early career in the TV and film industry in sales, distribution, and marketing.
Lori, please explain how the turnkey salon studio model of Sola Salons provides a hassle-free and cost-effective way for salon professionals to start and run their own businesses.
Sola’s salon studio model empowers independent beauty professionals with a hassle-free, simplified avenue to run their own businesses. Our turnkey model allows beauty pros to maximize their income by retaining all service revenue and retail sales after paying weekly studio rent. It also provides freedom and control, letting professionals dictate their environment, including décor, music, hours, rates, and retail products. Additionally, pros receive a move-in ready workspace, eliminating the capital risk associated with opening a traditional salon.
In summary, our salon studio model offers a streamlined and efficient pathway for salon professionals to establish and operate their businesses, fostering financial autonomy, creative control, and a simplified entrepreneurial experience.
Can you elaborate on the flexibility of the Sola Salons franchise model and how it enables franchisees to customize their salon studios to meet the unique demands and tastes of their local markets?
The Sola Salons franchise model allows franchise owners to tailor their salon studios to specific demands within their local markets. One key aspect of this flexibility lies in the ability for franchise owners to lease to salon professionals practicing different modalities. Beyond catering exclusively to hair stylists, Sola Salons embraces a diverse range of independent businesses, including estheticians, massage therapists, nail techs, and more. This diversity in professionals not only broadens the scope of services offered within a Sola location, but also provides franchise owners with increased opportunities for location occupancy.
How would you describe the growing demand for Sola Salons’ services in the Canadian market? And what are the opportunities it presents for both existing and prospective Canadian franchisees?
The growing demand in the Canadian market can be attributed to the increase of beauty professionals wanting freedom and control, as well as a rise in popularity for the independent studio concept. Professionals in the beauty industry are seeking alternatives to crowded salons, and Sola provides an appealing solution.
The simplicity of the franchise model, characterized by the absence of employees, products, and inventory, adds to its attractiveness for prospective franchisees. This presents a unique opportunity for both existing and potential Canadian entrepreneurs to tap into the rising trend of independent studios while benefiting from a straightforward business model that aligns with the preferences of beauty professionals in the market.
What are the benefits of operating under the Sola Salon brand, particularly its established reputation for excellence in the beauty industry and its strong presence in the U.S. and Canadian markets?
As the leader in the salon studios sector with over 700 locations across the U.S. and Canada, operating under the Sola brand offers several key benefits. We provide our owners with a comprehensive support system, including advanced operating systems, technology advancements, and extensive marketing initiatives. Additionally, Sola Salons offers valuable educational content for both beauty professionals and franchisees, fostering an environment conducive to success. This holistic approach underscores Sola’s commitment to empowering its stakeholders and ensuring a thriving ecosystem within the beauty industry.
Sola Salons offers a unique platform where Canadian beauty professionals have significant control over their business operations, from pricing to service offerings. How is this anatomy effective in benefitting them and their clients?
Sola’s platform empowers Canadian beauty professionals to customize their businesses, fostering a more client-centric and flexible service model.
The autonomy to control their pricing, services, and scheduling enables our pros to offer diverse, personalized services with flexible hours, promoting an overall healthier work-life balance. Clients benefit from convenient access to tailored beauty services, fostering satisfaction and loyalty. The platform’s flexibility enhances the overall salon experience, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between our professionals and their clients.
What role does the sense of community play at Sola Salons, and how does the Sola Pro educational platform enhance the professional development of beauty entrepreneurs through resources like webinars, blog posts, and live educational events?
The sense of community at Sola Salons is a cornerstone of its success, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for over 20,000 beauty professionals. This community serves as a valuable network for independent entrepreneurs, allowing them to share experiences, gain insights, and build meaningful connections within the beauty industry.
Our educational support further amplifies this sense of community by providing resources that directly contribute to the professional development of our beauty professionals. Through webinars, blog posts, and social media content, Sola Salons addresses crucial topics such as maximizing revenue, financial planning for retirement, ways to battle burnout, etc. — subjects that are vital for entrepreneurs navigating the beauty industry independently.
The collaborative spirit within our community is evident not only in the digital realm but also through live events, where our beauty pros can come together to learn and grow. Each year our team hosts Sola Sessions, a 3-day educational event held exclusively for Sola beauty professionals. The event offers VIP workshops, presentations and panels, technical breakouts, and a vendor expo, with content specifically tailored to empower our amazing network of beauty entrepreneurs.
