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P ost-graduation, stylist Kim Bennett Horvath (@kimi_kisses) doled out $11 haircuts at a commission-based salon in a small town in Colorado. Before long, she catapulted to national educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS, @paulmitchellus) and fl ed to the big city, booth renting in a bustling Denver-area shopping center. But everything changed when she met the cofounders of Sola Salon Studios (@solasalons), Matt Briger and Stratton Smith, in 2004—the year JPMS started the Focus Salon Program, with perks for JPMS-only salons. "I was intrigued; I'd heard of the concept of suites, but it seemed like a glorifi ed booth rental scenario," recalls Horvath, owner of Kim Bennett Studios. "When I met the cofounders, it all resonated with me: Be a salon owner and let Sola take care of everything else." Horvath jokes that they signed a contract on a Starbucks napkin, after which she visited Sola's newly leased space. Today, the entrepreneurs count nearly 10,000 pros in their network, but Horvath was the fi rst ever to sign a lease; she admits it was "a huge leap of faith" at the time. Friends doubted her then-radical decision, but Horvath was wooed by the freedom of the suite life, and six months later, she became the fi rst Sola Salon owner and fi rst JPMS Focus salon in Colorado. "I think people are fi nally realizing suites are here to stay," Horvath laughs. "It really changed my career for the better. The biggest challenge was to embrace that and give myself permission to do whatever I want!" Today, the 25-year pro-beauty veteran also works for Sola as culture ambassador and director of industry relationships, helping the team assist stylists through what Sola deems "an ongoing fi x of inspiration, education and community" via the Sola Pro app, a digital education platform; Sola Sessions, live events featuring top educators and artists; and the newest offering, SolaGenius—an app designed to streamline and supercharge any Sola business. "I'm making my own legacy now," Horvath smiles. Live & Learn/ Profi les 38 | BEAUTY LAUNCHPAD | OCTOBER 2017 Transitioning from small-town employee to salon suite guinea pig, Kim Bennett Horvath blazed her own trail to fi nd success as a solo owner and stylist. —TM The Suite Life COURTESY OF SOLA SALON STUDIOS Kim Bennett Horvath SUITE SUCCESS SECRETS Kim Bennett Horvath shares her top tips for salon suite success. • Invest in education. • Remind clients to book their next appointment before they leave. • Create your culture. • Get comfortable with the business side of salons. • Be creative with business promotions. • Give clients your all; the intimate setting of a salon studio provides the perfect environment to connect. Want to snag your own salon suite? Visit solasalonstudios.com for info. www.parodicare.com NOURISHING Foot Cream & SMOOTHING Exfoliant for Feet. Softens, soothes, hydrates and keeps callouses under control. Stimulates and refreshes while adding a luxurious look & feel. PARODI wants you, and your clients, to feel great ever y day! We know long hours standing in the salon can create tired, dry, and calloused feet. WE FEEL YOUR PAIN! Introducing PARODI FOOT CARE SYSTEM