Jordan Levine finds simplicity and satisfaction in Sola Salons’ success story
By Hiru Batepola
Since its founding in 2004, Sola Salons has been designing highly equipped, ready-to-use rental salon spaces, motivating more than 19,000 beauty professionals to achieve the independence, freedom, and rewards that come with salon suite ownership. In the process, the brand has become the largest independent salon rental concept in the world.
Its salon model empowers hairdressers, estheticians, nail techs, massage therapists, and other like-minded professionals to take control of their lives and their careers. Sola provides beauty professionals with fully equipped salon studios and the support and tools they need to launch their salon business in no time. Managing operations on such a large scale would make anyone’s head spin at 1,000 miles per hour, but Jordan Levine makes sure to remain humble through a lifetime of hustling.
Levine started franchising in high school and his lifelong dedication to learning the ins and outs of franchising built the foundation of his current role as chief operating officer of Sola Salons. Levine attributes his success to the support of his parents, mentors, and those he surrounds himself with—personally and professionally. Most of all, he expresses the importance of practicing gratitude, travelling, and using his role within the brand to make the world a better place.
The most interesting thing I’ve done recently is… Go back to my old iPhone photos, realize how many good memories I had forgotten about, and realize how lucky I am (and we all are) to have such great memories of people and places. We need to remind ourselves more often of the things we’ve forgotten from the past.
In its best form, work is… Satisfying. What could be better than helping Sola Salons franchisees and Sola beauty professionals get into entrepreneurship?!
A good franchisee… Not only follows the system but pushes us to make it better. A great franchisee is truly an inspiration to his or her fellow franchisees.
A good franchisor… Understands that a franchisee is a trusted partner. A good franchisor understands the simplicity of franchising—when franchisees are happy, magic happens.
My top advice for prospective franchisees is… Find a brand that resonates with you personally. This isn’t all about the product or service they sell, it also includes the core values of the company and leadership team.
My top advice for new franchisors is… Don’t go at it alone! Find yourself mentors and other great brands to help lead you in the right direction. This has all been done before and we all want to help you succeed!
The most important thing in life is… This is a hard one—but I think humility. Always stay humble… you don’t know everything!
One of the most enjoyable things to do is… Travel. There’s so much to see and learn out there. Seeing the world is a true gift.
Hear more success stories from Sola Salons franchisees on Franchise Canada Chats!
The hardest thing for me to do is… Relax. I’m always moving 1,000 miles per hour. Even when on vacation, I don’t know any other way.
My favourite drink is… This one is easy… Diet Coke! I know I shouldn’t… but it tastes so good!
If I could change one thing… EGO! We all have it—including me. I must fight my own ego sometimes, but I think ego is the source of most arguments and frustrations.
If I could meet anyone… I would love to meet my maternal grandfather. I have heard so much about him and what a great man he was.
The person who has had the most positive influence on me as a businessperson is… Hard to pin it down to one person. I’ve been so lucky to have had some great mentors early in my career. I started franchising in high school—yes, in high school. I had countless people take me under their wing and I am grateful every single day for these people.
Canadian franchising is… The next frontier for Sola Salons! In 2022 alone, there were nine new Sola Salons signings in Canada, and we have only just begun.
My franchise system began because… Beauty professionals wanted something better. Traditional salons didn’t offer them the freedoms they wanted: to set their own hours, to use their own products, to make as much as they wanted, to be their own boss… the list goes on!
The most positive influence on my life as a person is… Most certainly my parents. They taught me the value of hard work and the power of the entrepreneurial spirit.
The key to success is… knowing that you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with—that goes as much for your work team as it does the friends you choose in your life.
I’d like my friends to describe me as… Someone who’s approachable, empowering, and fun!
The accomplishment I look forward to the most is… Being able to look back on my life and know that I made a positive impact on the world.
My personal motto is… Surround yourself with people that make you better—personally and professionally.
One necessary item on my life’s “to do” list is… Continue to see the world. It’s such a big place and I’ve only scratched the surface.
