Meet the 2024 Faces of Sola

The Faces of Sola program began in 2015 with the vision to bring together independent salon owners from across the country to share their personal stories and wisdom as beauty professionals, entrepreneurs, go-getters, givers, working parents, philanthropists, artists, educators, and people on a mission to change the world.  

Since we launched the program, we have welcomed so many wonderful independent Solapreneuers to the Faces of Sola fam – each hand-selected to represent our brand’s 20,000+ community of salon owners and serve as ambassadors by sharing their stories, wisdom and experiences with our Sola community & beyond. They are a testament to our mission of empowering beauty professionals to achieve their dreams of owning a salon.  

It is with great excitement that we introduce you to the 8 NEW Faces of Sola for 2024! We have a feeling you’re gonna love ‘em as much as we do... 🤩 

Amanda Brown – New Hudson, MI 

Amanda Brown, a seasoned beauty pro based in Michigan has been a part of the Sola family since 2020. Amanda practically spent her childhood in a salon, which became her haven. It comes as no surprise that Amanda later excelled in beauty school, achieving her cosmetology degree at the remarkable age of 15. 

With an impressive 23 years of experience, Amanda specializes in french haircutting, balayage, and extensions. She's collaborated with renowned institutions such as Dassage International, Jamison Shaw Academy, and GreatLengthsUSA. In 2019, Amanda joined the SunlightsPro Artisan Team, earning certification to teach hand painted balayage. In 2023, she achieved the prestigious "Best Salon" award in Brighton, Michigan. 

Amanda's journey is not just about honing her craft; it's a story of personal triumph. Beyond the salon chair, she's on a mission to support others, putting a spotlight on mental health and helping fellow beauty pros set boundaries. 

If Amanda looks familiar to you, you might have seen her Instagram Reels reposted by @beautylaunchpad, @shearcraft, @knowbeautysecrets, @beautychangeslives, @sunlightspro and more! Adding a touch of humor to her professional life, Amanda enjoys sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her hairstylist and business owner experiences on Instagram. We can’t wait to follow Amanda’s journey (and to keep watching her hilarious Reels on social)! ✨ 

Tiffani Beste – Renton, WA 

Tiffani Beste is a curl expert and educator, located in Renton, Washington; and her journey has been nothing short of dedication and a relentless pursuit of passion. After beauty school, she completed a year and a half apprenticeship program and later was an assistant to Carissa Mott. Education, both receiving and mentoring, remains a top priority for Tiffani, with certifications in Level 1 Rëzo cut and highlights and Forever Curls Cut Bootcamp. 

Over the past decade with SEVEN Haircare, Tiffani has risen to the role of platform educator and a member of the product development team. She's received multiple award nominations, including One Shot Top 100 in 2022 and three Top 100 nominations in 2023. She was also nominated in the transformation category for the inaugural Sola Pro Awards. Recognition from the Sola Pro Awards and the Indie Pro Awards increased her visibility, leading to opportunities like being featured in a People Magazine segment on brushes for curly hair and collaborating with Dyson. 

In 2023, Tiffani launched her solo independent education tour, "Texture On Tour," showcasing signature curly cutting and styling techniques. She was also approached to be a guest educator on Blonde Chronicles University — coming 2024. We can’t wait to see what this year has in store for you, Tiffani 

Kimberly Marina – Milwaukee, WI 

Kimberly Marina, a talented cosmetologist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, kicked off her beauty journey back in 2014 at The Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness. Over the past ten years, she's fine-tuned her skills, learning from the best in the industry during her beauty school days. 

She worked as an Aveda Advisor at Neroli Salon & Spa while simultaneously completing continuous education. Post-pandemic, Kimberly transitioned to "Elle & Co.," a small-town salon, where she enhanced her skills in dimensional color, bridal work, and completed SKW Hand-Tied Extensions training. 

You might remember Kimberly as the winner in the Transformations category at the inaugural Sola Pro Awards, but her Sola story started back in 2021. That's when she stumbled upon a new nearby location and became the very first pro to sign up! Initially, she shared a studio with two others before each of them moved into their own individual spaces. Fast forward to May 2023, Kimberly's new studio, Wildbloom Salon, blossomed into reality! 

Veronica Pontes – Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada 

Veronica Pones, our Canadian Face of Sola, is the visionary behind Hair by Vero! In 2016, she attend hair school at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute; and following graduation, she worked as an apprentice, honing her skills and managing salon operations for seven years. 

She stumbled across an ad for Sola online and was instantly intrigued by the concept. After a year of contemplation, and motivation to channel her expertise into her own venture, she decided to open her salon at Sola — and Hair by Vero was born! 

Despite initial apprehensions about launching her own salon without a substantial clientele, Veronica's commitment to her craft and commitment to her business led her to land on her feet. After a year with Sola, she happily shares that both her client base and income have doubled. With eight years of hard-earned experience and knowledge, Veronica sees 2024 as her time to shine. We agree! 🌟 

Brea Retic – Atlanta, GA 

Brea Retic’s barbering journey began in 2010, after she realized the need for more control over her life and a change for herself and her son. A conversation with a friend sparked her decision to delve into barbering, leading her to relocate from Indiana to Georgia in 2009. She officially embarked on her barbering career in 2010, and the rest is history. 

In 2011, Brea assumed the role of manager at Barbers 4 Days in Kennesaw, GA, where she worked until making a pivotal move to Sola in 2021 — a decision she considers “one of the best she has ever made”. Simultaneously, Brea collaborates with Salon Centric ITTakesAProteam since 2020 and holds the position of a global educator for Andis Clipper Company since January 2023. 

We are thrilled to have Brea the barber boss in our Sola and Faces of Sola Fam 💙💈 

Samuel (Gino) Rodney – Lancaster, CA 

Samuel Rodney, aka Gino, is a hairstylist and part owner of Main Guys in Lancaster, California with over 15 years of experience. His journey also includes a detour into the dental field, where he worked as a manager before rediscovering his passion for hairstyling; but for the past 6 years, he’s been a full-time stylist and Sola has become his long-term home. 

His favorite part about owning a salon suite is the personalized yet communal atmosphere, allowing him to connect with clients privately while enjoying the sense of community. 

Gino is passionate about education and recognizes the importance of continuous learning in the industry and is a true believer in community over competition. Gino’s accolades include being named as a Top 100 One Shot Hair Award (over 10 times!) and a Top 25 Finalist for the One Shot Hair Awards. You go, Gino! 👏👏👏 

Jeannette Serino – Boston, MA 

Jeannette Serino, known as ‘Netty Fades’, began her journey in 2013 during her junior year of high school. She was initially exploring cosmetology and specializing in special effects makeup; however, once she explored the art of barbering, she knew she’d found her true passion. 

After graduating from cosmetology and high school, Jeannette immediately enrolled in barber school, earning her barber license in 2016. She gained diverse experience working at Cosmo Prof and a commission salon, eventually joining Boston Barber and Tattoo Company in 2017. 

In early 2022, Jeannette decided to venture out on her own and discovered Sola, an opportunity that allowed her to express her artistic vision and services. Joining the Sola community, she found support, friendship, and valuable knowledge from her Sola neighbors. 

Jeannette’s advice to beauty pros on the fence about going independent? "Just do it." We can’t wait to see what you do next, Jeannette! 🤩 

Courtney Warda – Modesto, CA 

Courtney Warda is a licensed barber and the proud owner of Haus of Hndsm (pronounced House of Handsome), who radiates passion, perseverance, and comedic flair behind the salon chair. She enrolled in the barbering program at Paul Mitchell in 2017, where she achieved numerous milestones, including leading clubs, assisting Paul Mitchell icon Mike Helm, and gaining national recognition. Graduating with honors in 2018, she obtained her barber license two days later. 

Post-licensing, Courtney dove into booth renting at both a barbershop and salon, refining her craft and business acumen. Two years later, she officially opened her very own business with Sola. Opening Haus of Hndsm amidst the 2020 pandemic stands as her proudest accomplishment. 

Courtney sees each day as an opportunity to inspire, bring smiles and laughter, and help others look and feel their best. She's living her dream and heading in the right direction to make her biggest goals a reality! Courtney, the best is yet to come 🙌 

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To the 2024 Faces of Sola, congratulations! We can’t wait to continue sharing your stories with our community this year and beyond 🎉  

Got questions about the Faces of Sola program? Learn more here. 

Interested in salon suites for rent? We’d love to welcome you into the Sola family!