Sola Salons Franchise Success: How a Husband-and-Wife Team Built an Empire of 17 Units

For Julie and Myrle McNeal , Sola Salons , the leading salon suite franchise, offered more than just a business opportunity — it provided them with a pathway to independence and long-term success . The husband-and-wife team now operates 17 Sola Salons locations across Portland, Oregon; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and the Kansas City metro area, leveraging their combined expertise in real estate, marketing and operations to create a flourishing business. Their journey is a testament to entrepreneurial determination, strategic growth and the power of strong partnerships — both in business and in life.

Julie started her professional career in sales, selling telephone systems with AT&T. However, as she and Myrle married and started a family, she sought a career that would provide flexibility.

"I segued to real estate. I did residential real estate for 10 to 12 years, something like that," she said. "We lived in Florida for a while doing that, then moved back to Kansas City where I was able to have my own little brokerage company." Real estate allowed her to balance work and family life, but her career took another turn when they relocated to Colorado.

While Julie navigated real estate, Myrle was building a successful career in the tech industry. Growing up on a Kansas wheat farm, he developed a strong work ethic early on.

"I grew up on a wheat farm and cattle ranch in western Kansas, and my dad was a fiercely independent man," Myrle said. "Along the way, I always knew that I wanted to do something on my own. I started saving money probably in the late 90s, knowing I would eventually do my own thing."

Discovering sola salons

That opportunity came in 2008 when Myrle was introduced to Sola Salons. "While coaching youth basketball, I met a parent who explained Sola Salons to me,” Myrle said. “I told him it made no sense, but we had lunch to discuss it further. He explained the concepts, and I realized it was similar to running internet data centers."

Founded in 2004, Sola Salons was created to provide beauty professionals with a vibrant community and a space where they could build fulfilling careers. The brand provides move-in-ready private salon suites within thoughtfully designed commercial spaces, allowing beauty professionals to operate their businesses with complete autonomy. Today, Sola Salons has grown to over 725 locations nationwide, becoming the largest community of independent beauty professionals with more than 20,000 “Solapreneurs.”

Recognizing the potential, Myrle and Julie opened their first Sola location in Portland, Oregon, in 2010.

Julie took on the role of operator, managing the day-to-day business while Myrle balanced his tech career and worked on expansion. "We opened up our first Sola in Portland in 2010. It's a full-time job, so I'm basically the operator,” Julie said. “We have a manager in place, and then we just kept building Sola. We built six in Portland, bought one in Baton Rouge, built another one in Baton Rouge, and then in 2022, we bought the seven in Kansas City and built two more.”

By 2020, Myrle had made the leap from corporate America to focus on the franchise full-time. "I had the opportunity to buy seven units in Kansas City, adding to the eight my wife and I already owned,” he said. “I stepped out of the corporate world to be a full-time franchisee. Now, my wife and I own 17 Sola Salons locations — six in Portland, two in Baton Rouge, and nine in Kansas City."

Scalability and support

When it comes to scalability, Sola Salons stands out by offering a real-estate-like model that provides beauty professionals with the freedom to customize their private suites, manage their schedules and create personalized guest experiences. Franchisees benefit from a flexible and low-maintenance investment with no on-site staff and minimal equipment maintenance. Over 75% of Sola Salons franchisees like the McNeals own multiple units.

The brand also provides comprehensive training and marketing support , ensuring franchisees have the resources they need to succeed. With a robust national marketing fund and in-house marketing team, Sola Salons supports local marketing initiatives to fill suites and bolster recruitment and retention rates.

Operating across different states presents unique challenges, but the McNeals credit their success to hiring the right people. "A lot of it comes down to great people on the ground. We've been very lucky with that," Julie said. "We have a lot of phone calls, and we probably visit each location two to three times a year. Kansas City is easier because we have family there and can drive."

The McNeals have also refined their working relationship by dividing responsibilities. "We've tried to create swim lanes so that we don't cross into each other’s responsibilities," Julie said. "He does most of the Kansas City work, and I do most of the Portland and Baton Rouge work. That seems to work pretty well."

Partnership and growth

Many couples hesitate to go into business together, but for Myrle and Julie, the experience has strengthened their relationship. "Like everything, it can be challenging, but I think it's actually been really very good for our marriage," Julie said. "We both know each other's fortes. The challenging part is when an issue pops up and we have different opinions on how to handle it. But we've done well by staying in our swim lanes and communicating."

Myrle echoes the sentiment, emphasizing that their partnership is built on trust and shared goals. "Since the early 90s, I knew I wanted something of my own. Meeting Stratton Smith and understanding Sola was my 'aha' moment," he said. "Now, my wife and I own 17 Sola Salons locations, and our business helps beauty professionals develop independence and create their own businesses. This is life-changing for many, like working parents who can now create their own schedules and earn more."

With their business thriving, the McNeals are now considering the next steps. "The dream is generational. My son is joining the business, having worked for me during summers in high school and college," Myrle said. "While I'm not looking to step away entirely, we're figuring out what he wants for his future and how it aligns with what my wife and I want."

For those considering the transition from corporate careers to franchise ownership , Myrle offers this advice: "It’s like jumping over the Grand Canyon — make sure you have enough momentum (capital) to make it to the other side. There will be a dip in the middle, and it's a big decision. But once you make it through, the rewards are immense. Make sure you're well-capitalized and find a business aligned with your financial situation."

From their first Portland location to a growing empire, the McNeals continue to empower beauty professionals and inspire fellow entrepreneurs. As they look ahead, their focus remains on growth, family and leaving a lasting impact on the industry.