A major change is underway at Radiance Holdings, parent company for two of the U.S.’s largest salon and spa franchises: Sola Salon Studios and Woodhouse Spas. The company has named former Sola franchise owner and executive team member Ben Jones as its new Chief Executive Officer.
As of May 2024, Sola has 715 locations in the U.S. and Canada; Woodhouse has 84 spas across the U.S.
Entering his new position, Jones shared his expertise on entrepreneurship and franchising with American Salon.
As the new CEO, what’s on your agenda for Sola Salon Suites & Woodhouse Spas?
I'm here to listen. I've started on a focused listening tour where I'll engage with all our stakeholders — franchise owners, executive leaders, employees, vendors, and customers. While I may be the new leader, it's these individuals who truly understand what we excel at and where we can improve.
Also, we're actively seeking more individuals who share our values to join our team.
My arrival as CEO will not alter our fundamental mission: to deliver unparalleled and purposeful experiences for both Sola and Woodhouse customers.
Sola Salons and Woodhouse cater to distinct clienteles. At Sola, our focus is on the independent beauty professional – individuals who possess remarkable courage and ambition and seek more control over their professional life.
At Woodhouse, our guests are primarily individuals seeking solace from their hectic lives. Our skilled spa professionals work hard to provide them with a sanctuary and a sense of well-being.
Why should entrepreneurs consider a franchise opportunity as opposed to starting a new brand from scratch?
I have firsthand experience as a Sola franchisee for many years, during which I developed and operated three Sola locations in Colorado.
Opening a franchise is an appealing option for those seeking control over their professional lives. It enables them to navigate the learning curve more efficiently while avoiding common pitfalls. Good franchisors offer solid support throughout the journey.
However, what resonates with me most about joining a franchise is the built-in network it provides, made up of like-minded, hard-working, passionate individuals who are familiar with similar challenges and emotions.
Both at Sola and Woodhouse, we're fortunate to have wonderful franchise owner communities that care for and look after each other.
What is your advice for an entrepreneur considering a franchise opportunity?
My top recommendation would be to be curious and ask a lot of questions. This is your time to learn. Engage with current franchisees to validate your assumptions and gather insights firsthand. Also, thoroughly explore all the competitors in the space.
Two important questions to ask are: Does this franchise brand align with my personal values? and Do the individuals at the franchisor headquarters exemplify values I consider important?
What’s the most important step for a franchise owner who wants to grow?
To scale, franchise owners should consider capital sources and operational efficiency. At Radiance, we're fortunate to have banking partners eager to help finance multi-unit expansion.
Sola is a multi-unit brand, with 70 percent of new Sola locations each year being opened by existing Sola franchise owners. While Woodhouse sees a growing trend in multi-unit ownership, it hasn't yet reached the same level of Sola.
In terms of operational efficiency, Sola has several technology projects in the pipeline specifically designed to support multi-unit ownership. Our goal is to facilitate faster and smoother scaling for our multi-unit owners.
Can an entrepreneur succeed in the salon & spa industry without having had experience in it?
Within both brands, our franchise owners typically come from diverse backgrounds unrelated to the salon or spa world. Instead, they are hard-working individuals driven by the desire to seize control of their professional lives.
While we at Radiance can provide guidance on the operational aspects of the salon or spa business, we cannot instill the drive and passion for excellence. If you believe in yourself and have a genuine passion for serving others, you'll likely thrive in the salon and spa business.
At Sola, we also are looking for beauty professionals who want to take control of their careers. We pride ourselves on helping them successfully take the leap into independence.
One demonstration of this is Sola’s recent partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, a non-profit organization that provides scholarship and mentorship opportunities for incoming beauty professionals. Through this partnership, seasoned Sola pros are mentoring newcomers to the industry.
Recent Beauty Industry Executive Appointments
Estée Lauder Companies: Shane Wolf, President, Global Brands, Aveda & Bumble and bumble
Hairstory: Dina Rosenbloom, Chief Executive Officer
Radiance Holdings: Scott Thompson, Chief Development Officer; Ariel Clay, Chief Operating Officer, Woodhouse Spas
Maesa: Molly Kennedy, VP of Marketing, Kristin Ess Hair
BeautyHealth Company: Sheri Lewis, Chief Supply Chain & Operations Officer
Tom Ford Beauty: Dexter King, Senior Vice President, Global General Manager