Diverse Paths to Success: How Sola Salons Franchisees Thrive at Different Stages of Life

Sola Salons has become a dynamic business model that empowers franchisees and beauty entrepreneurs alike. What makes this franchise unique is how it attracts people from diverse backgrounds, all at different points in their lives, providing them with a playbook for entrepreneurial success. Here are four franchisees who found their way to Sola Salons through varied paths and found success with the brand.

From Kansas Wheat Fields to a Multi-Location Franchisee: Myrle McNeal

Myrle McNeal’s journey to becoming a Sola Salons franchisee is one of perseverance and vision. Growing up on a wheat farm in Kansas, McNeal was no stranger to hard work and independence. He carried these values into a successful tech career, but he always had an entrepreneurial dream.

“I always knew that I wanted to do something on my own, and I actually started saving up money in the late 90s,” he said. “I decided that I don't know when it's going to be and I don't know what it's going to be, but it's going to be my own thing.”

It wasn’t until 2008, while coaching youth basketball, that McNeal learned about Sola Salons from a fellow parent. Initially skeptical, he soon recognized its potential and saw parallels between owning a salon suites franchise and his tech experience. By 2010, McNeal had signed the franchise papers and opened his first location in Portland, Oregon.

Balancing his full-time career in tech, McNeal continued to build his franchise portfolio, eventually transitioning into full-time ownership in 2011 with his wife, Julie. They expanded to 17 locations across multiple states. McNeal’s meticulous approach and passion for helping others build their businesses made him a standout in the franchise. 

Today, McNeal envisions turning Sola Salons into a family legacy, with his son already involved in the business.

From the Classroom to Multi-Unit Franchise Success: Peter Griffin

Peter Griffin’s career shift from high school teacher to multi-unit franchisee shows how diverse professional backgrounds can lead to success in franchising. Griffin spent years as an educator before transitioning into entrepreneurship through Sola Salons. His journey began with an unexpected introduction to the Sola team through a friend, and what started as a side project soon turned into a thriving business.

“I have been a high school teacher my whole career, so I have a very unusual path to getting into entrepreneurship,” he said, “but I would mountain bike with my friend Todd Neil and he would tell me about what he was doing in his work with the company before Sola and I was fascinated by that.”

After leveraging his home equity to fund his first location, Griffin quickly realized that the problem-solving skills and emotional resilience he had developed as a teacher were transferable to franchising. He opened multiple locations, learning as he went, and is now a prominent franchisee with over eight salons. Griffin credits his teaching background with helping him navigate the complex interpersonal dynamics of running a business and managing teams.

From Corporate Burnout to a Franchise Empire: Kristin Kranias

Kristin Kranias was burnt out from her corporate career when she and her husband, Greg, took a leap into franchising with Sola Salons. 

“I was commuting for almost two hours every day and it just became unsustainable,” said Kranias. “I was looking for something with a lot more independence and a lot more flexibility. My husband made the connection and we started looking for acquisitions in the market.”

Greg’s professional connections led them to explore the business model, and their first acquisition came in September 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Despite the challenges, they quickly turned their Tucson, Arizona, location into a success.

Over the next four years, they expanded aggressively, acquiring 26 more locations across five states, bringing their total to 27. While managing such a vast network of salons, Kranias has found a balance between growth and sustainability. She emphasizes retaining existing staff during acquisitions to ensure continuity and stability for the salon professionals.

For Kranias, franchising provided the independence and flexibility she had been craving in her corporate job. She’s now able to work around her family’s schedule while managing a thriving business. 

From Fast Food to Salon Suites: Greg Sieck

Greg Sieck’s career in franchising spans nearly 50 years, starting with McDonald’s in Santa Barbara, California. After a long career in advertising and working with major fast-food chains like Burger King and Taco Bell, Sieck decided it was time for a new challenge. Introduced to Sola Salons nearly a decade before joining, Sieck eventually made the leap, drawn by the opportunity to support entrepreneurs rather than managing high-volume, low-margin transactions typical of the fast-food industry.

“I'm still young but I'm not as young as I once was and so I was looking for the next chapter,” said Sieck. “Opportunistically, this franchise opportunity came along.”

Sieck initially purchased two Sola Salons locations and took his time to learn the business thoroughly. Now, he’s on his fifth location and takes a cautious, steady approach to growth. His philosophy revolves around supporting the beauty professionals who use Sola’s spaces, ensuring that their success translates into business success for the franchise.

Sola Salons’ Paves a Pathway for Entrepreneurial Success

From a tech executive and farmer to a high school teacher and a fast-food industry veteran, Sola Salons attracts franchisees from all walks of life. Whether it's a mid-career shift or a late-stage pivot, the diversity of experiences among these franchisees speaks to the flexibility and broad appeal of the Sola Salons business model.

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