Sola Salons has finalized a new franchise agreement in Rocky River, Ohio, marking an exciting expansion for the salon suite brand. The new location will be owned and operated by Kristin and Greg Kranias, who bring both resilience and entrepreneurship to the opportunity.
Kristin’s journey into franchise ownership followed a period of burnout in her corporate career. Encouraged by Greg—who connected with the Sola team through his investment firm—the couple decided to explore the brand during a time of uncertainty in the broader economy. Their first venture opened in Tucson, Arizona, in September 2020, amidst the global pandemic. Despite the challenging timing, the initiative grew into a thriving business.
Reflecting on the experience, Kristin emphasized the supportive nature of the Sola network. “I really do love the brand. It has been a supportive corporate team at this franchisor, which has been essential for me, being new to this business. It’s a smart and collaborative group of people. You might think there would be competition or stepping on toes, but this has been incredibly collaborative. I always find people who are happy to share their experience.”
This upcoming Rocky River salon suite will expand Sola’s footprint into Ohio while allowing the Kranias to bring a culture of collaboration to local beauty professionals. The brand’s salon suite model, known for empowering independent professionals with autonomy and community, aligns strongly with Kristin’s vision for inclusive, professional growth.
With the agreement signed, development and build-out are now in progress. As Kristin and Greg bring this vision to life, the local market looks to benefit from the enhanced flexibility and business support that Sola Salons brings via its innovative franchise model.