In this episode of Solo Diaries, Erin sits down with solo aesthetician Brenda Hogsett, founder of Skintastic, to unpack a journey built on perseverance, crisis pivots, smart marketing, and unapologetic financial clarity.

Brenda’s path wasn’t linear. She failed her state board exam three times. Took years off. Came back. Passed. Built a business from the bonus room of her home after her son’s health crisis required her to stay close. What started behind PVC pipe curtains became a 40‑year established salon — and then, intentionally, became solo again.

This conversation is about knowing your strengths. And knowing when to scale back.

Because bigger isn’t always better. Profitable and sustainable is.

In this episode, Brenda shares:

• How a family health crisis sparked her first solo business

• Why managing a large team wasn’t aligned with her strengths

• The decision to return to true solo entrepreneurship

• How Groupon built her entire client base (yes, really)

• Why discounting can be strategic — if you treat it as an audition

• The power of retention (she maintains a 95% pre‑book rate)

• How she uses Square as a full CRM and growth engine

• Her $220K revenue year as a solo aesthetician

• The financial habit she wishes she started sooner

Affiliate Links -

SOLO by Qnity Monthly Affiliate Link https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173487/389VFBor

SOLO by Qnity Annual Affiliate Link https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173486/389VFBor

How to Make Money on Tik Tok Affiliate. https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148239833/389VFBor

In this episode of Solo Diaries, Erin talks with Jane Miller, a longtime massage professional, about the realities of building a hands-on solo career when your body is the primary asset.

Jane shares a perspective that runs counter to the hustle narrative: doing only one thing can actually shorten your career. She explains why having a second, complementary income stream helped her stay in the industry longer—physically, mentally, and financially.

This conversation goes beyond self-care clichés. It is about capacity, limits, and designing a solo career that accounts for wear and tear, not just revenue goals. Jane speaks candidly about burnout, body mechanics, and the hard ceiling that exists when time and physical energy are finite.

For solos whose work depends on their bodies—coaches, practitioners, creatives—this episode is a reminder that sustainability is a strategy, not a compromise.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why many massage professionals leave the field within five years

• The value of having multiple income streams in a solo career

• How physical limits directly affect business growth

• What it means to protect your body and your income

• Why “more clients” is not always the answer

Key takeaway:
A sustainable solo career is designed with limits in mind. Longevity comes from balance, not maxing out your capacity.

If your work relies on your body, this episode offers an honest look at how to build a career that lasts.

Affiliate Links

• Monthly: https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173487/x3ZxeuDE
• Annual: https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173486/x3ZxeuDE

Welcome back to SOLO Diaries!

If you’re a beauty/wellness solopreneur (or seriously considering the leap), this conversation with Carrie Perkins is a must-listen. Carrie is the new Solo by Qnity Lead Coach—a 28-year practitioner, former owner-operator of a 4-location salon/spa group (220 employees), longtime Qnity for Business coach/educator, and recent school leader—now a full-time solo esthetician bringing all of that experience to you.

Why this matters: Solo success isn’t vibes—it’s structure. Carrie shows how accountability, light weekly tracking, and clear decisions turn “I hope it works” into steady income, calmer weeks, and staying power.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Carrie’s path: practitioner → owner-operator → Qnity lead coach → school leader → full-time solo (and what each season taught her).
  

• A tough truth: not everyone is cut out for solo—why resilience, drive, and show-up habits matter (especially on empty-book days).
  

• Carrie’s 3 C’s coaching framework you can use this week: Closure (what happened), Clarity (what you want/what to do), Confidence (how it will feel—then do it again).
  

• Money & operations, simplified: open a separate tax account and auto-move 25–30% of every deposit; track money in/money out; avoid emotion-driven spending at launch; simplify services and add tools gradually; start simple now, grow into a basic P&L later.
  

• Mindset that keeps you in the game: choose facts and plans over feelings; turn pressure into a repeatable plan (small, weekly actions that compound); remember that ego is expensive.
  

• Proof it works: a coached solo added ~$1,000/week in sales and built $5,000 in savings—just by tracking and following through.
  

• Start here (today):
  

• Open that tax account and set the auto-transfer.
  

• Write a one-page service standard (consult → service → finish → photo).
  

• Pick one reinvestment clients will feel next week (tool, lighting, chair-side experience).

Want the full playbook?

Join MONEY SOLO Premium for Carrie’s live weekly coaching—3 C’s in action, a simple digital tracker, practical money systems (tax set-asides, pricing, retail that “pays the rent”), and real-time problem-solving with peers. [Monthly | Annual]

Follow Erin for updates: @erinkuhnbhansali · Learn more about Qnity + SOLO Diaries here.

Continue the conversation with @carrieperkins—share what resonated or what you’re trying next.

Thanks for tuning in to SOLO Diaries—see you in the next episode!

Welcome back to SOLO Diaries!

If you’re a barber or beauty/wellness solopreneur considering the jump (or already in it), this preview with Savannah-based solo barber Dutch Claybaugh is a must-listen. Dutch left a corporate job (~$50–60K/yr) and now grosses ~$130K a year behind the chair (services only)—then gets real about taxes, cash flow, reinvestment, and the mindset it takes to sustain the climb.

Why this matters: A bigger top line won’t help if taxes, debt, and random purchases eat your profits. Dutch shows how to think like an owner—plan for taxes (~30%), invest where clients feel it, and avoid “time off that costs a year.”

In this free preview, you’ll hear:

1. Career switch: corporate logistics → barbering, how he validated the leap and built demand fast

   
   

2. Real numbers: ~$130K gross from services alone (not including booth rent), plus his $10K “baseline month” and $15–16K “push month” targets

   
   

3. Tax reality check: first year owing $18K; why he set up an S-Corp and works with a CPA

   
   

4. Reinvestment that matters: premium tools, experiential space, and using home-office/ops wisely

   
   

5. The expensive lesson: two months “off,” $15–16K on credit cards—why time is money and how he dug out

   
   

6. Mindset & community: pressure as a performance lever, and the power of vulnerability to build trust and opportunities

   
   

Want the full, tactical playbook?

Upgrade to MONEY SOLO Premium for Dutch’s exact systems: how he plans taxes, structures months to hit $10–16K, what he tracks, and how he’s standardizing services through training to scale beyond the chair.

Sign up using Dutch’s link: Monthly | Annual

Follow Dutch @dutchcuts for behind-the-chair clips and business breakdowns.

Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries—see you next time!

Welcome back to SOLO Diaries!

If you’re a beauty/wellness solopreneur who wants fewer fires, clearer numbers, and calmer weeks (without earning less), this preview with Susannah Bolich is for you. An OG Qnity alum, former intrapreneur/leader, and now solo ~4 years, Susannah rebuilt around simple prep-and-follow-up systems and light-touch tracking—so her time actually pays her back.

Why this matters: A full calendar can still mean thin margins and burnout. Susannah shows how preparing before the visit, following up after, and tracking a few key numbers turns “I feel” into “I know”—and compounds into real wins (including buying her first home at 27).

In this free preview, you’ll hear:

• How Qnity’s “Missing Link” (prepare & follow-up) boosted rebook/retention and confidence

• Why tracking just a few numbers weekly beats living in spreadsheets you’ll never open

• The shift from “hope & vibes” to facts on paper—and how it calmed money stress

• The ripple effect: first quarter of tracking → ~$1,000/week sales lift → $5,000 saved → a first home (later sold after a ~75% value increase)

• What actually changes when you go solo (cash-flow “feel,” ownership of mistakes, seasons hitting harder)

Want the full, tactical playbook?

Upgrade to MONEY SOLO Premium to get Susannah’s exact prep/follow-up loop, the 3-number weekly tracker she uses, how she plans for seasonal slowdowns, and the 2026 focus that will lift her $/hour without adding days.

Sign up using Susannah’s links:

• Monthly: https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173487/zMCF4RdY
• Annual: https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173486/zMCF4RdY

Follow Susannah ⁠@hairbysusannahjolyn⁠ for real-time behind-the-chair tips and solo business ideas.

Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries—see you next time!

It's not about what you make—it's about what you keep. If you're a beauty or wellness solopreneur who wants clear profits, this episode with Alicia Austin, CEO of SalonScale, is for you.

Alicia went from solo stylist to salon owner to tech founder. Despite appearing successful, she was frustrated and struggling to make ends meet. That's when she discovered the culprit: a massive amount of money was walking out the door in wasted product.

Why this matters: Most solos chase top-line revenue and ignore bottom-line costs—especially product costs. Alicia explains how using SalonScale software helps solos add $800–$1,200/month by charging accurately for products and reducing waste, so every service actually turns a profit.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• The SalonScale origin story—and why beauty needs variable pricing, not flat rates

• The shift from revenue obsession to profit clarity

• How separating product (parts) from time and skill (labor) transforms your margins overnight

• A 4-week rollout that pays for itself in 2–3 days for many solos

• How to talk to clients about pricing without debating your worth

Ready for MORE financial education from SalonScale?

SalonScale is a proud sponsor of MONEY SOLO by Qnity, enabling ANYONE to access tons of free financial education at no cost. When you upgrade to MONEY SOLO Premium, you'll unlock even more benefits: LIVE weekly coaching, our digital tracker integrated with ⁠Square⁠, and ongoing tools to build a calm, profitable solo business.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR FREE TO ACCESS 50+ FREE FINANCIAL VIDEOS: ⁠Join Freemium⁠

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR PREMIUM: ⁠Monthly⁠ | ⁠Annual⁠

Explore SalonScale: Start a 14-day free trial ⁠here⁠.

You can follow Alicia on Instagram at ⁠@alicia.salonscale⁠ — and get product tips and updates ⁠@salonscale⁠

Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries—see you next time!

Welcome back to SOLO Diaries!

If you’re a beauty or wellness solopreneur who wants a brand that feels elevated and financially solid, this preview with Jacqueline Ciulla is for you. After years of grinding (15 weddings in a month at one point), Jacqueline rebuilt around a clear “why,” simple systems, and content that actually drives clients.

Why this matters: Awards and a busy calendar don’t always mean profit. Jacquelina shows how pricing confidence, intentional marketing, and basic number tracking can flip burnout into sustainable growth—so your time, attention, and money (your “ATM”) pay you back.

In this free preview, you’ll hear:

• How a hard life season shifted Jacqueline’s purpose—and shaped Curated Hair & Company

• The reality behind “busy but broke” wedding work (and what she’d price differently now)

• The content strategy that moved her to the top of local searches (IG/TikTok)

• The simple Square reports she checks to track new clients, average ticket, and seasonality

• Why carving out two “backend” days weekly made the rest of her week easier

Ready to hear the full, raw conversation with Jacqueline?

Upgrade to MONEY SOLO Premium for her complete playbook: pricing shifts that stick, her content rhythm (from 5 hours/day to ~1 hour), referral + reporting setup in Square, and how UGC brand deals add a new revenue stream—plus the mindset that keeps her consistent.

Premium members also get weekly coaching, financial trackers, and ongoing tools to grow a calm, profitable solo business.

Sign up using Jacqueline’s links: [Monthly] | [Annual]

• Monthly: https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173487/oXCP84bE
• Annual: https://money.solobyqnity.com/a/2148173486/oXCP84bE

Follow Jacqueline ⁠@jacquelinecuratedhair⁠ for behind-the-chair tips and content ideas in real time.

Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries—see you next time!

Welcome back to SOLO Diaries!

If you're a beauty or wellness solopreneur looking to add another revenue stream, this episode is for you. I'm sitting down with Jenn Lyles, who built her business as a solopreneur as a side hustle - by selling products on TikTok Shop. 

Jenn is the perfect example of a modern solopreneur: she runs her own business as a TikToker while maintaining a full-time job as an Executive Director for a Marketing company in beauty. What started as research for beauty school students turned into her discovering that TikTok Shop could be a game-changing revenue stream for anyone in the beauty industry—and she tested it herself first. She is making REAL money, with her highest month as a TikTok shop creator at $80,000.

The message is clear: as a beauty or wellness solopreneur, there’s additional ways to monetize your talent, skill, and expertise. 

In this free preview, you'll hear:

• How Jenn balances solopreneurship with a full-time job 

• How she made $2,000 in her first week simply by talking about a hair serum

• The power of personal brand and why it's driven every major opportunity in her career

• Why beauty professionals are "crazy to be sleeping on TikTok" as a revenue stream

Ready to hear the full, raw conversation with Jenn? Upgrade to MONEY SOLO Premium to get Jenn's complete playbook: her 3-step process for starting, how to build followers while working your regular schedule, why your professional expertise gives you massive credibility advantages, how beauty brands are paying pros $5,000/month for simple content, and the exact time management strategies that let her earn more from TikTok than her day job.

Plus, when you become a Premium member, you'll get access to weekly coaching sessions, ongoing financial trackers, and so many more tools to elevate your solopreneur business. And here's the best part—you'll be supporting Jenn on her financial goals too, as she receives compensation when you join using her links. It's a total win-win!

Sign up for PREMIUM TODAY:

[Click ⁠here⁠ to pay MONTHLY] and

[Click ⁠here ⁠pay ANNUALLY ]

Want to follow Jenn's journey? Check out her TikTok at @JennLyles and see exactly how she's building this revenue stream in real-time.

Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries—hope to see you in PREMIUM!

Drew Irmen is an 18-year industry veteran and solo stylist who rebuilt his business around intentional simplicity and client experience. He’s known for a low-volume, high-intent model, a clean tech stack (Square online booking), and a clutter-free retail approach using texted, pre-filled carts. His north star: sustainable pricing, protected energy, and consistent service.

After nearly two decades in the industry, Drew rebuilt his business around intentional simplicity: fewer clients, cleaner systems, and clear standards. He routes everything to online booking, keeps a lean service menu, and protects white space so each appointment gets full attention. For retail, he texts pre-filled product carts so clients buy exactly what they need, no shelves, no cash-flow drag. The result is a calm, sustainable solo model anyone can adapt.

Key Takeaways:

• Simplicity scales quality. “Everything goes online for me.”

• Protect your energy. “Non-volume scheduling improves service and consistency.”

• Price with intention. “Find your price point to make it make sense.”

• Retail without clutter. Text a pre-filled cart; “they just press the pay button and it ships to them.”

• Keep tools simple. “Square is the simplest.”

Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries! If you liked this episode with Drew, support him!

1. Become a SOLO by Qnity premium member⁠ USING THIS LINK.⁠ When you do, you’ll help Drew on his financial goals as he will receive compensation, while you elevate your business. A win-win!

2. Check Drew out at ⁠@drew.irmen⁠

Want products? Purchase Drew’s favorite products⁠ here