Sola Salons Eden Prairie

Sola operates as a studio rental business and does not employ its own stylists. Independent professionals rent studios and run their own businesses from them. The company says its network includes more than 20,000 independent business owners. Its rental model accepts eleven or more trades, among them hair, barbering, skin care, nails, massage, lashes and brows, makeup, tattooing and spa work.

Each location is run as an independently owned franchise, and the company states that it is not responsible for the operations, employment or personnel matters of franchise owners or the independent professionals who rent from them. Studio counts differ by site: Eagan has 46, Eden Prairie 72, Robert Street in West Saint Paul 40, Saint Paul 40 and Edina 32. Access hours vary by location, and the Saint Paul location leases its studios through a waitlist.

Studios are built to be ready to work in. Features include ventilation, sound-insulated walls, 24/7 security, on-site laundry, full-spectrum lighting, a breakroom, instant hot water, a shampoo bowl and a styling chair. Each studio has a glass door with its own lock and key. Eagan charges one weekly fee that covers all utilities and Wi-Fi, and the Rosemount suites start at a weekly rate of $229 and include bathroom facilities and utilities.

Renters decide what brands and products they sell and keep all of the profit from those sales. Retail discounts are available through the company, and the start-up manual gives new renters forms, licensing guidance, studio setup details and retail distributor contacts.

Sola positions itself as a space for independent professionals, leaving service menus, pricing and retail product choices with each renter.

The company describes its Saint Paul location as having upscale amenities.