Orland Park Stylist Stays Independent in Creative Salon

Nancy Hudson likes running her own business. But she also enjoys a degree of flexibility and freedom, which is not always so easy when sustaining a full brick-and-mortar enterprise.

“I’m very versatile with my hours,” Hudson said, while at her studio within Sola Salons in Orland Park. “I can work here 24/7 if I so choose.  If people want more privacy I can close these curtains. I have an iPod with any kind of music you can think of. It’s all about making a comfortable atmosphere.”

The atmosphere Hudson created has led to a client base of people who travel lengthy distances just to have their hair done by her. People come to her from all throughout Illinois, but also from Indiana, Michigan, and even Florida.

She spent a decade in Los Angeles working in influential studios, and found time to consult for Estee Lauder. For the last 15 years, she has been based in salons around the south suburbs, adding new clients while still keeping in touch with people from around the country.

But it’s not just her skills honed through 25 years of work.

“You get really close with the clients,” Hudson said. “You learn about their different needs and their personalities. Some people are scared of trying new hairstyles, but it really can be liberating.”

Hudson found a degree of liberation herself at Sola Salons. Between the freedom of choosing her hours and building her own client base, working in a single studio space within the salon has kept maintenance needs down.

Strength in Numbers

Owned by Guy Pisani, Sola Salons at 15752 LaGrange Road has 22 single-room studios, where each tenant rents the space and builds his or her own business. Each proprietor makes their own appointments, brings in their own specialty equipment and operates as a stand-alone business with individual licensing.

“This is like opening a salon on a smaller scale,” Pisani said. “Many are former salon owners, and people who worked in a commission-based salon. Their clientele has followed, because they are going for that individual person. And here it’s that much more intimate with the client.”

As of now, 21 of the 22 suites available at Sola Salons are filled. Though Pisani opened the space in July 2008, right before the economic downturn hit, the building has stayed mostly occupied throughout most of the last two-and-a-half years.

Professionals working out of Sola run the gamut of salon services. Hudson specializes in hair color, precisions cuts and makeup, but also performs waxing and eyebrow work. Others in the building specialize in skin care and facials, manicures, pedicures, hair treatments and more.

Aside from the hair and makeup work, Hudson also designs her own jewelry, which she sells in her studio.

“Everything in the studio is mine except the cabinetry and the chair,” Hudson said.

Family Affair

Pisani, as the landlord, is responsible for maintaining the studios, such as repairing items that were a part of the space when rented, but he doesn’t see himself as just a landowner.

“I don’t view myself as a landlord,” Pisani said. “I don’t view my folks as tenants. These people are my customers. I like to be an offshoot in their business. A business partner. They can contact me if they need anything.”

A testament to that is Pisani’s kids regularly visit Hudson’s studio, and hang out near her candy jar she keeps.

“We have really remarkably talented people that are able to run their businesses well,” Pisani said. “Their clients talk and spread the word, and we have people increase their business 30-40 percent just by client referral. For me, I haven’t had to do anything that different other than keep them happy and provide service, which I’m happy to do.”

Want the news delivered? Sign up for our daily email newsletter.

Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.