How Sola Salons Is Upending The Salon Suites Industry: Technology, Community And Flexibility

Sola Salons has emerged as a transformative player in the salon suite industry, blending innovative technology with a franchise model designed to empower both franchisees and beauty professionals. By prioritizing community, technology and support systems, Sola is redefining what it means to operate in the salon suites business.

For prospective franchisees, Sola Salons offers not just a franchise opportunity but a partnership that emphasizes ease of management, profitability and strong relationships.

A Franchise Model Centered on Support

“Franchising is all about relationships,” said Mitch Cohen, a multi-unit Sola Salons franchisee and franchise industry veteran. “It’s your relationship with your franchisor, your customers and your employees. When you enter into a franchise agreement, it’s a long-term commitment — almost like a marriage. Having that support is crucial because this agreement could lead to a 20- or 40-year relationship depending on where you are in your business lifespan.”

Sola Salons has built a reputation for creating a supportive environment for both franchisees and salon professionals. Franchisees manage studio spaces that independent beauty professionals (known as “Sola Pros”) lease, creating a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. For Cohen, who transitioned from a career with Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins to owning multiple Sola Salons locations, the shift was strategic.

“I come from hospitality business models. One of the things we do on a regular basis at Sola is provide hospitality to our Pros — something our Pros often had not previously received in a traditional salon setting,” Cohen said. “We celebrate their birthdays, provide lunches and ensure they feel valued. It’s about creating a community that encourages retention and satisfaction.”

Sola’s flexibility in studio design is another standout feature. For Cohen, this flexibility means he can establish and maintain salon suites that best cater to both the beauty professionals in the area and the clients.

“The suites don’t have to be cookie-cutter,” Cohen said. “We can increase square footage or adapt the design to meet the needs of our market. That flexibility differentiates us and helps attract pros.”

Leveraging Technology for Success

Technology is also a cornerstone of Sola Salons’ strategy, supporting franchisees throughout their development process and ensuring they have proper tools to support their Sola Pros after opening.

“Our goal is to make Sola easy for our franchisees and Pros,” said Jeff Grayson, chief technology officer. “From a technology perspective, we’re building tools that help our franchisees manage their business more easily, more profitably and more seamlessly.”

A critical area of focus is occupancy, ensuring franchisees maximize their leasing potential. Sola’s lead-to-lease funnel incorporates marketing strategies, a robust website optimized for lead capture and a cutting-edge CRM system designed to streamline the leasing process.

“Every lead is precious,” Grayson said, “and we’ve built tools to support that entire journey, from driving traffic to converting leads into leases.”

Other tools like digital signage and SMS-based systems for maintenance requests make the space more welcoming for both Pros and their clients, supporting franchisees’ retention of Sola Pros over longer periods of time.

Differentiation in the Salon Suites Industry

“I actually looked at a competitor before investing with Sola,” Cohen said. “There were a handful of things that stood out from some of the competitors that I looked at. The strength of the executive team and how they view their pros and franchisees as a partnership and community were huge to me.”

Sola Salons’ commitment to innovation extends beyond technology to creating a comprehensive support system for salon professionals. Grayson describes Sola's vision as a “one-stop shop” for beauty entrepreneurs.

“Our physical platform has always supported independent professionals starting their own business, but now we’re working to develop a digital platform that will further complement that support,” he said. “From lead generation to tools that help them build their books and manage their business, we’re giving them what they need to succeed.”

This dual focus on physical and digital support positions Sola Salons as a leader in the salon suite industry. For franchisees, the brand’s flexibility, technology and community-driven approach provide a strong foundation for success.

For prospective franchisees, Sola Salons offers a unique opportunity to enter an industry poised for growth while benefiting from a franchise model that prioritizes relationships, innovation and support.

“If you’re considering a franchise, ask yourself how the brand is looking into the future — how they’re growing and innovating,” Cohen said. “For me, Sola checks all the boxes.”

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/sola-salons.