20th Anniversary Spotlight: Rashleigh Béaton

We’ve always loved the quote "A year from now you’ll wish you started today” – but it’s never rang truer than when we heard Sola pro, Rashleigh Béaton’s story. Last year, we had a giveaway in partnership with CanvasMe – and the winner of the contest won a ticket to Sola Sessions AND a mentorship opportunity with John Mosley. Rashleigh was the winner of that contest, so he joined us as at the 2023 Austin Sola Sessions – before officially being a licensed barber or a Sola professional. A year later, Rashleigh joined us at the 2024 Vegas Sola Sessions as a part of John Mosley's team... and as an official and licensed Sola professional! Talk about a full circle moment. 

Before Rashleigh’s Sola story began, he had been in the healthcare field for 12 years and was on his journey to becoming a nurse – and just doing barbering on the side for extra money. But what started as a financial need grew into a passion. “I had all the skills to be successful as a nurse. But I realized I would be much more successful if it's something I love to do. I also realized I could still apply those nursing skills, like compassion, to barbering. I also realized I am just as good with barbering, yet I have the freedom I want with this. Why not take advantage of the opportunity here?” 

So, he did just that and decided to prioritize the passion of barbering instead. He then uprooted his life from Delaware to Texas where the opportunity was bigger. That’s where he opened his Sola barber studio, VYBZ Essential.  

Between his independent suite and joining the Popular Nobody team as an educator, passion is the name of the game for Rashleigh. That’s how he’s been able to come so far in just one short year. “It was an easy decision to join Sola. Sola is a place that helps you with personal and professional development. There’s so many tools and education to utilize to further your profession and grow.” He also credits John Mosley for inspiring his decision when it came to barbering; and education as the opportunity to pivot his career path. 

His favorite part about having an independent suite at Sola, as opposed to a traditional barbershop? “I get to set the tone. I've worked in a variety of barbershops, all of which had limitations to what you can do and a lack of control of the atmosphere. I am also a brand, so I wanted to provide an atmosphere that matched my service. Sola is the ultimate promotion as a barber. When you go into a Sola, it's different, it's an upgrade. Now I get to control the atmosphere, conversations, and the ambiance.” 

Rashleigh’s top 3 tips for someone just starting out in this industry: 

• Tip #1: “Believe in yourself first and foremost.” 
• Tip #2: “Make sure that you get into the rooms where knowledge is being shared and also develop your skillset.” 
• Tip #3 “Make sure that it sets you apart from your competition. Knowledge and skillset are key to success.” 

Thank you, Rasheligh, for sharing your Sola story with us, and for showing us what happens when a pivot and passion leads to purpose. Considering going independent at Sola? Take it from Rashleigh, “There's so much you can take away from being in a salon suite. A sense of community and the people around you are going to inspire you to be better.”  

Stay tuned for the next few weeks for more 20th anniversary spotlights, and in case you missed it, check out Kimi Bennett’s story about 20 years of trailblazing.