Instagram, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love that it offers so much eye candy, so many opportunities to see what others put out there, and the chance to meet people you didn't even know existed before it. I hate that it offers so much eye candy, so many opportunities to see what others put out there, and sometimes you can't unsee what you've seen. Be careful with that. lol
While I was searching for relevant hashtags for my business, I came across Sola Salon Studios. I wasn't just hunting for other longview businesses, I was really on the lookout for a shared spaces set up. Many larger cities have a location where creatives or even new start ups have an office space that is one of many centralized in one building or on business floors. In Midland, we had a building that offered the idea solely to non-profits. There were several offices and then general meeting rooms which everyone had access to. I'm also familiar with "breathing rooms" where it's a smaller space, not necessarily an office set up, but just quiet areas that are rented out to just get away.
In my quest for finding a studio space to rent, I found Sola. Since they were active on Instagram, I decided to direct message them and see if we could talk about the possibility of adding a photographer to the mix.
Sola Salons is a single location where twenty-seven different spaces are convened. Each is privately rented by a salon owner or sometimes two share a single space. There are three different size salons to choose from. They each have been set up for stylists with cabinetry, hair washing sinks, hydraulic chairs, hair drying chairs, and mirrors along the walls. You'll notice that no two spaces are alike. The owners get to choose the paint colors for the walls and add their decorations to make the salon their own.
Before Sola Salon Studios came to Longview, they already had thirteen different locations in the Dallas area and over four hundred nation wide with ten thousand salon professionals across the country. Cile Stokes and Terri Glover co-own this franchise. It was Cile that met with me after I messaged Sola. While we walked around she explained that first thing you'll see coming in is a secure entry way. There are 24/7 cameras recording everyone coming in and out. There's a secure key code that the salon owners have so they have access to their salons whenever they'd like.
Each of the salon spaces has a private sliding glass door for an entrance. Some of them leave them open, some closed, and some cover the glass with curtains. When you're inside a closed space there's not a lot of outside sound that comes through the glass surprisingly.
The break room offers a refrigerator, cabinets, and a bar with stools for a rest. There are also two coin operated washers and dryers that tenants are welcome to use. At one corner is also a relaxing area where if I had rented a space, would have used it for clients changing outfits it, but anyone can use it.
While Cile was okay with having a photographer rent a space there, my budget wouldn't allow me to make that leap. It was definitely enticing knowing that all bills were included. Maybe one day we can work something out to have a large corner space.
Most of the salons are taken. A majority of the tenants are hair salons, but there's also a nail technician. It's nice to see that community over competition happens even locally. In the Longview photography community, we have a great group of ladies and gentlemen that encourage one another and meet fairly often.
One of the neat things about Sola is that not only do they encourage the community to become friends, but they host pot lucks at breaks and occasionally they bring in local and national educators to offer continued education to the studio tenants. Now that is cool.
Recently I had the opportunity to photograph each one of the three different spaces for Sola. You may recall my work with Ashley of Younique. We photographed her make-up session in an empty Sola studio. It was just the right size for what she needed.
If you're a stylist, aesthetician, nail tech, massage therapist, make-up artist, barber, or photographer looking for a little piece of real estate that's all inclusive, Sola Salons in Longview might be right up your alley. Get in touch with them and be sure to tell them that I sent you.
Blessings,
Zoe
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