Sola Salon Studios expands on Staten Island, providing a ‘no-risk’ option for beauty biz entrepreneurs

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Tina and Jerry Marcopoulos opened their first Sola Salon Studios franchise in 2018, because they loved the concept and wanted to bring a new and empowering entrepreneurial endeavor to Staten Island. But the couple had no idea how quickly the idea would expand or how popular the services would prove.

“From the start, this concept just spoke to me,” Tina Marcopoulos said. “I saw it as a wonderful opportunity for women in the beauty industry to become independent and take control of their lives.”

Dozens of beauty professionals agreed, leasing space from Marcopoulos in Port Richmond’s Forest Avenue Shoppers Town, launching individual boutique salons without having to worry about overhead costs and other financial risks and burdens. The idea was such a success that Marcopoulos launched another Staten Island location in 2021 at the South Shore Commons in Charleston.

And even more sites have developed since then: In addition to branching out and building eight shops in New Jersey, the couple recently launched a third outpost in the new Eltingville Plaza on Putnam Street and Amboy Road. They are now finalizing plans to open a fourth location at The Boulevard in New Dorp this spring.

“It’s so amazing how so many people love and support this idea,” Marcopoulos said. “Sola is the largest franchise of its kind, with over 600 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Brazil. More than 18,000 professionals are able to operate their own independent salons because of this concept.”

Marcopoulos said that the business model is simple: Stylists lease move-in-ready, one- and two-chair salon studios and keep 100{2f721a9a84cd1ef3e64bf507ea0c8ab2bc235122c146c2a4cbd42268917563c5} of their profit. They choose the salon name, hours, online booking and management technology and control pricing, services, products, décor, music, clientele and more.

“If you’re a single mom who can only work a certain amount of hours, this is a great option for you,” Marcopoulos said. “If you’re a young woman who wants to build a clientele, this is a great way to do that. We provide a turnkey solution, a studio that is completely ready. All you need to do is bring your scissors and blow dryer.”

Marcopoulos called it a “no-risk” way of building your own business venture.

“It’s so gratifying, because this opportunity invariably changes lives,” she said.

Each location houses approximately 28 to 30 individual studios, all equipped with hot water, Wi-Fi and other essentials included in the price of rent. Professionals are given tools to help their business grow, including a web presence on the Sola Salon Studio’s page.

“People can search the Sola database for services in their area,” Marcopoulos said. “You don’t get that kind of local and regional representation anywhere else.”

And stylists have Marcopoulos’ backing and guidance.

“Our focus is to find success for these beauty professionals,” Marcopoulos concluded. “It feels good to be able to help so many find the formula for business ownership.”

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