SOLA SALONS PRESENTS ANNUAL SOLA SESSIONS EVENT, UNITING INDEPENDENT BEAUTY PROFESSIONALS WITH INDUSTRY-LEADING BRANDS TO UNLEASH EDUCATION, INSIGHTS AND CONNECTIONS

Sola Sessions Featured the Brand's First-Ever Sola Pro Awards, Celebrating Beauty Professionals' Technical Skill, Creative Presentation and Originality of Work

DENVER, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sola Salons, the world's largest and fastest-growing studio suites concept for independent beauty professionals, hosted its live proprietary educational event, Sola Sessions, on June 18 to June 20, 2023 in Austin, TX. The three-day event was exclusive to Sola professionals and the brand secured the beauty industry's most dynamic, inspiring leaders and change-makers to provide its Sola beauty professionals with cutting-edge industry and business education. The brand also debuted its first-ever Sola Pro Awards to celebrate the technical skill, creative presentation and originality of work from its community of independent beauty professionals.

This year's event was supported by Sola Salons' Director of Education, Emily Alders, who spearheaded planning and execution at Sola Salon's annual educational event. 2023's dynamic Sola Sessions offered VIP workshops hosted by beauty industry business coaches, Nina Tulio and Dawn Bradley, business-focused presentations and panels, technical breakouts, vendor expo, as well as a keynote address from the renowned Tabatha Coffey, an accredited coach, beauty icon, television personality, writer, coach, and hairdresser. To arm its stylists with well-rounded business and industry acumen, Sola's breakout sessions featured the top leading industry professionals including Andis Global Educator, John Mosley, and Global Creative Director for Living Proof, Michael Shaun Corby. Additional speakers included one of Hollywood's most sought-after hair stylists, Frida Aradóttir, North American Hairstyling Award winner Francesca Rivetti and pro beauty photographer, Babak. 

In support of the next generation of beauty professionals, Sola Salons teamed up with Beauty Changes Lives, a nonprofit driven to make the beauty profession a first-choice career through scholarships, mentorship and advanced education, to serve a cocktail for a cause at the Sola Sessions VIP Party and Sola Pro Awards Party during the three-day event. For every cause-mopolitan cocktail sold, Sola Salons donated one dollar to benefit Beauty Changes Lives. 

To celebrate the technical skill, creative presentation and originality of work, Sola Salons hosted its first-ever Sola Pro Awards with winners announced at Sola Sessions. Over a six-week entry period the Sola community self-nominated by submitting 5000+ entries to eight categories including Studio Design, Blondes, Nail Design, Transformation, Barber Cut, Texture, Skin, and Extensions. Winners received an award featuring their honor in each given category, will be featured in Sola Salons and industry social media and news channels. Each winner will also receive one week of free rent (up to a $500 value).

"The Sola Salons team introduced the first-ever Sola Pro Awards to celebrate the achievements of our community and had the privilege to share the award winners at our annual educational event. Sola Sessions provides unparalleled access to education for our beauty pros and is a true testament to our brand continuing to be the salon suite model of choice for those seeking independent opportunities," said Emily Alders, Director of Education at Sola Salons. "This year more than ever, we were thrilled to provide our beauty pros with a multifaceted approach to continued education by providing them with firsthand insight from industry change-makers. Following this year's event, our Sola professionals left reinvigorated, and we look forward to further amplifying their voices and helping them reach their fullest potential as beauty professionals and business owners."

Sola Pro Award Winners Include: 

• Studio Design – Valeria Pasillas, Denver CO. @lashvault_co
• Blondes – Jessica Gentle, Columbus OH. @the.blonde.dimension
• Nail Art Design – Sara Clark, Morgantown WV. @freaky_fresh_phalanges
• Transformation – Kimberly Marina, Milwaukee WI. @kimberlymarina.hair
• Barber Cut – Johnathon Gilyard, Oakland CA. @theocdbarber
• Celebration of Texture – Eric Kelley, Baton Rouge LA. @hairbyerickelley
• Skin – Angie Barraza, Chicago IL. @angieblushbeauty
• Extensions – Meg Silver, San Diego, CA. @megsilverhair

The event was sponsored by a number of beauty industry leaders including Diamond Sponsors Living Proof and Jack Winn Pro along with Gold Sponsors Wella Professionals, SalonCentric, OlaPlex, Morrocan Oil, CND, Ashtae, Andis, JPMS and CanvasMe. To learn more about Sola Salons' ongoing brand achievements or to find out how to join the Sola Salons community, please visit www.solasalonstudios.com. Connect with the brand on Instagram @solasalons and Linkedin. 

ABOUT SOLA SALONS:
In 2004, Sola Salons was established with the opening of its first location in Denver, Colorado. Now with 655 locations open in the U.S. and Canada, Sola is proud to offer 19,000+ independent beauty professionals the freedom and benefits of salon ownership without the risk and overhead of opening a traditional salon. Its innovative salon model empowers hairdressers, estheticians, nail techs, massage therapists and other like-minded professionals to take control of their lives and their careers. Sola provides beauty professionals with beautiful, fully-equipped salon studios alongside the support and tools they need to launch their salon business in no time. For more information, please visit www.solasalons.com.

SOURCE Sola Salons