Grow My Salon Business Podcast

Oftentimes on the podcast, I talk about the changes that are happening in the industry and particularly the ever-evolving business models.  In the United States, the Salon Suite or Studio as some prefer to call it has had a massive impact on hairdressing and how hairdressers work and that model is influencing salons in many countries. The biggest operator of salon suites is Sola Salon Suites and their very first suite operator was Kim Bennet and so it’s a real pleasure to have Kim as my guest today and get a really good insight into how having a salon suite works from someone who has been doing it for 17 years.  In today’s podcast we discuss: The salon suite business model Who is and isn’t suited to opening a salon suite/studio of their own What are the advantages and disadvantages  And lots more!   In This Episode: [01:45] Welcome to the show, Kim! [02:25] Kim shares her background. [03:21] Kim speaks about how she got started with Sola Salon Studios. [05:18] Did the salon suite model exist when you first got started? [07:41] Kim discusses the founders of Sola Salon Studios. [10:04] Kim shares the Sola business model. [11:00] Antony talks about why the salon suite model isn't for him. [13:19] Kim shares why the salon suite works for her. [16:33] Kim discusses wanting to give her clients a better experience, and to do that, she wanted the studio model. [19:46] Kim speaks about evolving over the years and how her business evolved with her. [22:59] Were there any challenges that stood out to you since you were new to the salon suite model? [26:34] Kim shares how Sola stylists handle their guest's arrivals because they don't have receptionists. [29:18] Kim discusses the matrix on how many studio suite stylists decided they didn't like the business model. [31:16] In Kim's experience, when she saw people leave Sola, they were usually becoming salon owners. [34:03] Listen as Kim speaks about who might not be a great studio suite owner. [37:31] Kim says that competition between suites around pricing isn't something that happens at Sola. [39:57] Do you get walk-ins with the studio suite model? [41:10] Kim talks about what she misses about the traditional salon model. [43:38] Kim discusses what clients have told her about missing the traditional salon experience. [45:55] When it comes to retail, some don't want the hassle of it, and others see the benefits and profits from selling products. [48:03] What is the average cost of a studio suite? [53:07] The most important business model is the one that works best for you. [57:10] Kim says that social media is huge in the salon suite entrepreneurial mindset. [1:01:20] Kim discusses the age-old challenge of stylists taking their clients with them when they leave. [1:04:16] Who is training the new generation of hairstylists? [1:06:59] Thank you so much for being on the show!   Links and Resources Grow My Salon Business    Kim Bennett Kim Bennett Studios @kimi_kisses Instagram | Facebook

Show Notes

Oftentimes on the podcast, I talk about the changes that are happening in the industry and particularly the ever-evolving business models. 
In the United States, the Salon Suite or Studio as some prefer to call it has had a massive impact on hairdressing and how hairdressers work and that model is influencing salons in many countries.
The biggest operator of salon suites is Sola Salon Suites and their very first suite operator was Kim Bennet and so it’s a real pleasure to have Kim as my guest today and get a really good insight into how having a salon suite works from someone who has been doing it for 17 years. 
In today’s podcast we discuss:
  • The salon suite business model
  • Who is and isn’t suited to opening a salon suite/studio of their own
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages 
And lots more!
 
In This Episode:
[01:45] Welcome to the show, Kim!
[02:25] Kim shares her background.
[03:21] Kim speaks about how she got started with Sola Salon Studios.
[05:18] Did the salon suite model exist when you first got started?
[07:41] Kim discusses the founders of Sola Salon Studios.
[10:04] Kim shares the Sola business model.
[11:00] Antony talks about why the salon suite model isn't for him.
[13:19] Kim shares why the salon suite works for her.
[16:33] Kim discusses wanting to give her clients a better experience, and to do that, she wanted the studio model.
[19:46] Kim speaks about evolving over the years and how her business evolved with her.
[22:59] Were there any challenges that stood out to you since you were new to the salon suite model?
[26:34] Kim shares how Sola stylists handle their guest's arrivals because they don't have receptionists.
[29:18] Kim discusses the matrix on how many studio suite stylists decided they didn't like the business model.
[31:16] In Kim's experience, when she saw people leave Sola, they were usually becoming salon owners.
[34:03] Listen as Kim speaks about who might not be a great studio suite owner.
[37:31] Kim says that competition between suites around pricing isn't something that happens at Sola.
[39:57] Do you get walk-ins with the studio suite model?
[41:10] Kim talks about what she misses about the traditional salon model.
[43:38] Kim discusses what clients have told her about missing the traditional salon experience.
[45:55] When it comes to retail, some don't want the hassle of it, and others see the benefits and profits from selling products.
[48:03] What is the average cost of a studio suite?
[53:07] The most important business model is the one that works best for you.
[57:10] Kim says that social media is huge in the salon suite entrepreneurial mindset.
[1:01:20] Kim discusses the age-old challenge of stylists taking their clients with them when they leave.
[1:04:16] Who is training the new generation of hairstylists?
[1:06:59] Thank you so much for being on the show!
 
Links and Resources
 Grow My Salon Business 
 
Kim Bennett
 Kim Bennett Studios
@kimi_kisses
Instagram |  Facebook

What is Grow My Salon Business Podcast?

I know that being in business isn’t always easy. Along with the many highs and ‘a ha’ moments it can sometimes be soul destroying, frustrating and a very lonely place to be. Being a business owner is one of life’s greatest educations and it gives you two clear choices, either you continually learn, adapt and grow, or you resist change, stagnate and perish. We live in ever changing and sometimes challenging times, so being informed and constantly inspired is more important than ever.

Join Antony Whitaker talking to thought leaders on the business side of the hairdressing industry discussing insightful, provocative and inspiring ideas that matter. Get ready to learn, get ready to be challenged, get ready to be inspired and most importantly get ready to grow your salon business!