Sola Salons support small businesses

Owning AAMCO auto repair shops was not easy for Scott Lefkowitz. Although the task was tiring, it funded his everyday personal and recreational costs.

In a quest to be happier, he researched other franchises and discovered Sola Salons.

“I’ve used this quote before, but I told my wife I wanted to build my metaphorical ice cream shop,” Lefkowitz said.

“I compare AAMCO to a dentist: Nobody wants to be there, and nobody is happy about it. Auto repair is a very emotional environment. Many Sola locations have solo owners, unlike what I’ve observed elsewhere. The quality of service we could provide is what really drew me to this opportunity. I wanted to go to work every day to a place where people were glad to be, and that’s ultimately how I chose Sola Salons.”

Sola Salons Phoenix at Cave Creek Road and the Loop 101 opened in March, marking the first of three planned locations. A Scottsdale salon is set to open in September, and a third within two years.

Sola Salons opened its first location in Denver in 2004 and now has more than 735 spots in the United States and Canada. These suites house about 20,000 independent beauty professionals — including hairdressers, Botox estheticians, nail techs and massage therapists. Lefkowitz said an entrepreneur inquired about renting space for a women’s fitness attire boutique.

Cave Creek was the perfect location for Sola Suites, he said.

“This was a place that fit Sola’s demographics for population density,” he explained. “The price made sense. A lot of different factors contributed to us opening this space. Plus, there was really a need for a full-serve salon up there.”

More importantly, it’s a win-win.

“I have to make a living, but if I can help other people success, it’s beneficial to both of us.

“I’ve been a small business owner for quite some time, and we’ve done OK. This should be rewarding.”