Build Your Dream Business
Welcome to Build Your Dream Business, brought to you by Solo. More than just a booking app, we’re a community for independent pros in hair, beauty, and wellness. In this series, our host, Katrina Ashworth, will bring you closer to real stories of success from the industry’s finest and share practical advice to help your business flourish. At Solo, we understand the journey of working independently and our goal is to connect, empower, and inspire you. We’re here to make sure that even though you work solo, you’re never truly alone.
Episodes

Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
In this episode, Rose Lonsdale, Global Senior Education Manager at Nouveau HD Beauty Group, shares her inspiring journey from practitioner to educator in the beauty industry. Rose highlights the importance of continuous learning, staying on top of industry trends, and the power of brand association for building trust with consumers. She also provides valuable advice for beauty professionals looking to grow their businesses and discusses current beauty trends, including sustainability and ethical sourcing.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Rose’s transition from beauty practitioner to educator
The importance of continuous learning in the beauty industry
How brand association and recognition impact business success
Current trends: sustainability, ethical sourcing, and consumer awareness
Advice for beauty professionals looking to grow their business
Useful Links:
Follow Nouveau Lashes on Instagram: @nouveaulashesuk
Follow HD Brows on Instagram: @hdbrowsofficial
Explore Nouveau Beauty training courses: Nouveau Beauty Training , Online training courses
Explore HD Brows training courses: HD Brows Training

Monday Nov 04, 2024
Monday Nov 04, 2024
Lilly McGlinn, owner of Elem Studio, shares her journey from accidentally entering the nail industry to running a successful salon with a bold and colourful brand. She talks about using social media to attract clients, finding her niche with unique nail art, and the challenges of running a studio of self employed beauty professionals. Lilly also shares her goals for expanding her nail care product line and offers advice on following your passion.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Growing a nail business through social media
Finding a niche with unique nail art
Challenges of running a salon
Setting goals and expanding product lines
Following your passion and taking risks
Useful Links:
Follow Lilly on Instagram: @nailsbylillymay
Follow Elem Studio on Instagram: @elemstudio
Lilly’s Website: booksolo.co/nailsbylillymay

Monday Oct 28, 2024
Creating Loyal Clients: Effective Retention Strategies
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
In this episode, Steph Kelly shares her inspiring journey into the beauty industry and how she launched her own business during a lockdown. She discusses the importance of continuous learning, staying updated with the latest treatments, and building confidence by initially offering services to friends and family. Steph also emphasises personal branding, building trust, and providing a personalised experience to ensure client retention.
In This Episode, We Cover
The role of continuous learning and staying updated with new treatments
Creating engaging content, such as reels and behind-the-scenes videos
The importance of providing detailed information in social media posts
Investing in supportive and value-aligned brands
Personal branding and showcasing personality to build client trust
Strategies for managing social media, including scheduling posts and using Instagram insights
Utilising external tools and services for content creation and growth
Building strong relationships with clients and providing personalised experiences
Tips for encouraging client retention and retailing, such as rebooking and loyalty discounts
Useful Links
Follow Steph Kelly on Instagram: @beautyby_stephk
Book appointments and explore services: Steph’s Website
Beauty Growth Academy: @beauty_growth_academy

Monday Oct 21, 2024
Engaging Clients on Instagram: A Nail Tech’s Guide
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Isabel Blake, a master Bio Sculpture manicurist, shares her journey from working in a nail salon to running her own successful business. She discusses how she grew her Instagram during the pandemic, built strong client relationships, and the importance of setting work-life boundaries. Isabel also offers advice on taking risks and the power of community in the beauty industry.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Transitioning from a nail salon to self-employment
Growing a client base through Instagram
Building trust with clients
Managing work-life balance
The importance of continuous learning and skill development
Useful Links:
Follow Isabel on Instagram: @isabelblakenails
Visit Isabel’s website: booksolo.co/isabelblakenails

Monday Oct 14, 2024
Building a Beauty Empire: Lessons from Nicky Matthews of Sienna X
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
In this episode, Nicky Matthews, the founder of Sienna X, shares her incredible journey from being an air hostess to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Nicky and Katrina dive into topics like adapting to industry changes, maintaining high standards, and building trust with clients. Nicky emphasises the importance of client retention, having a solid business plan, and the role of community support in growing a successful beauty business. She also highlights the importance of continuous learning and wraps up with a fun quick-fire round of beauty favourites and trends.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Nicky's journey from air hostess to beauty entrepreneur
Adapting to industry trends and changes
Maintaining high standards to build lasting client relationships
Effective client retention strategies
The importance of having a business plan
How community support can uplift independent beauty professionals
Training and practice for success in tanning
The role of social media in client engagement
Belief and perseverance in business
Useful Links:
Follow Sienna X on Instagram: @siennaxofficial
Visit Sienna X's website sienna-x.co.uk
Find a Sienna X therapist: Sienna X Therapist Finder
Learn more about Sienna X training: Sienna X training

Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Stop chasing followers: how to grow a loyal and engaged audience on social media
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
In this episode, Emma Cleary shares her journey from modelling to building her own social media business, Embrace Socials. She discusses the importance of personal branding and building an engaged audience on Instagram. Emma emphasises being authentic and true to yourself on social media, highlighting the power of educational and entertaining content. She advises professionals to focus on their ideal audience, create resonating content, and overcome the fear of sharing their expertise online.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The significance of building a personal brand on social media
The value of an engaged and relevant audience over a large, disengaged one
Understanding that unfollows are not necessarily negative
Key Instagram engagement metrics: saves, shares, and watch time
Starting small and maintaining consistency in social media efforts
Being yourself and showcasing your personality to connect with your audience
Experimenting with different content types to find what resonates
Sharing your journey and being vulnerable to build trust
Focusing on providing value and helping your audience
Avoiding comparisons and recognising that success takes time and effort
Useful Links:
Follow Emma on Instagram: @embrace_socials
Visit her website: Embrace Socials

Monday Aug 19, 2024
Side hustle to full-time success. Keep your clients coming back forever.
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
In this episode, Nicola Griffin of PrettyBeaut London shares her journey of building a successful freelance beauty therapy business. What began as a side hustle, offering discounted rates to 10 models for eyelash extensions, quickly grew through word of mouth and referrals. After being made redundant from her office job, Nicola decided to pursue beauty therapy full-time. She leveraged social media, particularly Facebook, to market her services and attract new clients, offering incentives for referrals and joining platforms like Secret Spa to increase bookings.
Nicola emphasises the importance of communication and providing a five-star service to ensure client retention. She shares her experiences using social media and Solo to grow her beauty business, discussing her trial-and-error approach to creating content and learning from Instagram posts and reels. Nicola also highlights the benefits of showcasing her work with branded marketing posts and utilising therapist the Sienna X and Million Dollar Facial therapist finders. She underscores the time-saving advantages of using Solo for managing bookings and income, and advises aspiring beauty therapists to go for it, enjoy the journey, and harness the power of social media to build their brand.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Building a freelance beauty business from a side hustle
Using social media and word of mouth for client acquisition
Transitioning to full-time beauty therapy after redundancy
Marketing strategies, including Facebook and referral incentives
Importance of communication and providing top-notch service
Learning content creation through Instagram posts and reels
Showcasing work with branded marketing posts
Utilising platforms like Secret Spa and Solo’s brand therapist finders
Useful Links:
Follow Nicola on Instagram: @prettybeautlasheslondon
Visit her website: Pretty Beaut
Sienna X therapist finder
Million Dollar Facial Platinum tech locator

Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Experience is everything. The beauty industry 20 years ago vs now.
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Thursday Aug 15, 2024
Join us as we chat to Sam from Made with Love, a master manicurist, pedicurist, lash, and tan artist. Sam shares her 20 year journey in the beauty industry, detailing the evolution of client expectations and the impact of a professional booking system on her business. She discusses pricing challenges, loyalty programs, and digitising her business.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Marketing, client retention, and social media strategies
Understanding and meeting client needs
Providing personalised experiences
Building a strong brand presence
The importance of self-confidence and setting fair prices
Creating a positive client experience
Useful Links:
Follow Sam on Instagram: @thelondonlashes
Visit her website: https://booksolo.co/madewithlove