Q&A with Sola Salons NextGen Franchisee Peter McNeal

Name: Peter McNeal
Brands: Sola Salons
Units: 1 (Boulder, CO); 19 others in the family’s portfolio
Years in franchising: 3 years
Age: 28
Parent name(s) in franchising: Myrle and Julie McNeal
Brands: Sola Salons
Years in franchising: 14 years, currently active

What made you want to get into franchising?

Growing up in Boulder, I was around the Sola brand from its earliest days. The first Sola in Boulder was the second location ever opened. The founder, Stratton Smith, was the father of one of my closest childhood friends, and my dad was introduced to the concept by Stratton at a youth basketball game. I always wanted to run my own business, and franchising with Sola was a natural path. I helped my parents out over the years, got a lucky opportunity, and now I own a store of my own.

Are you a franchise partner with either of your parents? If so, have there been any challenges with that relationship?

Yes, I’m a direct franchise partner with both my mom and dad in the Boulder store, and I also work with them across all their other locations. The interesting part is keeping a personal relationship and a professional relationship separate. It’s easy to be at a family gathering and start talking shop. But I wouldn’t say there’s been any strain on the personal relationships. If anything, it’s made us stronger.

What are some of the primary advantages of being a second-generation franchisee?

The number one advantage is essentially getting my MBA from my parents. The knowledge I’ve gained from being around them as they run their business and from their guidance as I run my own is something people pay hundreds of thousands of dollars and go to school for two years for. I’m getting real-time, practical experience that is relevant to the salon industry and business in general, with accounting, finance, operations, and business management. It’s been invaluable.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a second-generation franchisee?

Keeping the work relationship from bleeding into the personal one, though I wouldn’t call it a major downside. Honestly, I feel very fortunate. I worked in corporate for several years before coming to work with my parents. Looking back on that, I’m incredibly grateful to be where I am. The biggest day-to-day challenges are just the challenges of running a business and making sure we give all the stylists who depend on us for a space to operate their own businesses the best chance to succeed.

How do you establish credibility with your franchisor and among employees as a second-generation owner?

Working alongside my parents and knowing how they run things has given me a lot of credibility within the business. Sola does great training, but there are small things you only pick up through experience, and I’ve been around my parents long enough to absorb those. My dad has been part of the system for so long that he’s seen the brand evolve firsthand and can give advice on what works and what doesn’t. Being part of a successful group of stores has also been a big factor. There’s real nuance to running a Sola; we’re not a typical franchise. We’re dealing with hairstylists who already operate their own businesses. All we’re trying to do is not get in the way. Knowing how to do that well takes experience.

Do you go to your parents for advice about business ownership? If so, what are some of the things they have said?

A lot of what I ask about is how to handle specific situations with people, particularly the stylists. Right now, I wear all the hats at the Boulder location by serving as the owner, operator, leasing manager, handyman, you name it. The relationship I’m focused on most is making sure the stylists are happy and feel supported. I go to my parents for guidance on that regularly.

What are some of the differences in franchising since your parents started, and how is your generation better equipped to handle those changes?

The biggest change is the marketing landscape. When my parents started, social media barely existed; they were generating leads through print mailers and Craigslist. Now there’s SEO, Google Ads, Meta Ads, and so much more. I grew up with it, so I understand it at a level they don’t always have time to dig into. They come to me for advice on marketing. Operationally, things have remained largely the same. There’s more competition in the markets, but we focus on running our business as well as we can, and that’s why we’re successful.

Has becoming a franchise owner like your parents changed the family dynamics for either generation? Why or why not?

It has, and in a very positive way. As you get older, you naturally spend less time with your parents because you’re pulled in so many different directions that occupy your time. Being in business together has brought us back into close contact. It’s a different relationship than when I was growing up, but in some ways it’s the same. They’re still advising me, and I’m still looking to them for guidance. I was genuinely excited to start working with them, and that feeling hasn’t gone away.