SOLO DIARIES

Erin Kuhn

Step into the world of The SOLO Diaries — a podcast celebrating the courage, creativity, and resilience of independent beauty and wellness professionals. Hosted by Erin Bhansali, each episode shares raw, real conversations about the journey of going solo — the highs that inspire, the challenges that shape us, and the victories that remind us why we started. This is more than a podcast. It’s a movement — a community of artists redefining success, creating freedom on their own terms, and proving that no one truly succeeds alone. Real stories. Real growth. Real people.

Episodes

  1. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 10 | HUNTER DONIA

    Mar 20

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 10 | HUNTER DONIA

    Erin sits down with Hunter Donia to talk about what actually grows a solo business — and what quietly holds it back. From building a clientele young to scaling an education company, Hunter learned that more income streams don’t always mean more income. Sometimes, they just divide your attention. The shift?Focus over fragmentation. This episode breaks down the difference between staying busy and actually growing — and why most solos are stuck in maintenance mode instead of building real momentum. Key takeaway:Do less — but do what works, better. It's all in the complete episode and if it clicked for you, the next step is putting it to work in your own business. Get the Money Solo course for $97 — 8 modules of practical, industry-specific financial education covering everything Carrie talked about and more. Tax planning, pricing strategy, savings systems, financial roadmapping. Self-paced. Lifetime access. Built for the way you actually work. Or bundle with the TikTok Shop course for $169 and add a new income stream at the same time. 👉 Get the Money Solo course — $97: [LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/uynzahtL/checkout 👉 Bundle both courses — $169: [LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/3rfLgDyB/checkout

    25 min
  2. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 9 | BRENDA HOGSETT

    Feb 27

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 9 | BRENDA HOGSETT

    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 It's all in the complete episode and if it clicked for you, the next step is putting it to work in your own business. Get the Money Solo course for $97 — 8 modules of practical, industry-specific financial education covering everything Carrie talked about and more. Tax planning, pricing strategy, savings systems, financial roadmapping. Self-paced. Lifetime access. Built for the way you actually work. Or bundle with the TikTok Shop course for $169 and add a new income stream at the same time. 👉 Get the Money Solo course — $97: [LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268514/389VFBor 👉 Bundle both courses — $169: [LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/3rfLgDyB/checkout

    27 min
  3. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 8 | JANE MILLER

    Jan 30

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 8 | JANE MILLER

    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. 👉 Get the Money Solo course — $97: [LINK]  https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268514/x3ZxeuDE 👉 Bundle both courses — $169: [LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/3rfLgDyB/checkout

    29 min
  4. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 7 |CARRIE PERKINS

    Jan 9

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 7 |CARRIE PERKINS

    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? Carrie's 3 C's in action. The simple systems behind tax set-asides, pricing, and retail that actually pays the rent. And the real-time problem-solving approach she brings to every conversation. It's all in the complete episode and if it clicked for you, the next step is putting it to work in your own business. Get the Money Solo course for $97 — 8 modules of practical, industry-specific financial education covering everything Carrie talked about and more. Tax planning, pricing strategy, savings systems, financial roadmapping. Self-paced. Lifetime access. Built for the way you actually work. Or bundle with the TikTok Shop course for $169 and add a new income stream at the same time. 👉 Get the Money Solo course — $97: [LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/uynzahtL/checkout 👉 Bundle both courses — $169: [LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/3rfLgDyB/checkout Want to work directly with Carrie on your specific numbers? SOLO Coaching is now available as flexible 1:1 sessions — no subscriptions, no long-term commitment. Sessions start at $125. 👉 Book a session with Carrie: [COACHING LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/tnZ32sFC/checkout Follow Erin for updates: @erinkuhnbhansali Learn more about Qnity and SOLO Diaries: [LINK] Continue the conversation with Carrie @carrieperkins — share what resonated or what you're trying next. Thanks for tuning in to SOLO Diaries — see you in the next episode.

    43 min
  5. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 6 | DUTCH CLAYBAUGH

    12/12/2025

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 6 | DUTCH CLAYBAUGH

    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 episode you’ll hear Career switch: corporate logistics → barbering, how he validated the leap and built demand fast Real numbers: ~$130K gross from services alone (not including booth rent), plus his $10K “baseline month” and $15–16K “push month” targets Tax reality check: first year owing $18K; why he set up an S-Corp and works with a CPA Reinvestment that matters: premium tools, experiential space, and using home-office/ops wisely The expensive lesson: two months “off,” $15–16K on credit cards—why time is money and how he dug out Mindset & community: pressure as a performance lever, and the power of vulnerability to build trust and opportunities Want Dutch's full tactical playbook? How he plans for taxes so they never catch him off guard. The exact structure he uses to consistently hit $10–16K months. What he actually tracks and why. And how he's standardizing services through training to scale his income beyond the chair. It's all in the complete episode and the best way to support Dutch is to take the next step through his link. Get the Money Solo course for $97 and build the financial foundation that makes systems like Dutch's work. 8 modules. 50+ lessons. Tax planning, pricing strategy, savings systems — all built specifically for solopreneurs in beauty and wellness. Dutch earns when you invest in yourself. Or bundle with the TikTok Shop course for $169 and add a new income stream on top of everything you just heard. 👉 Get the Money Solo course — $97: [DUTCH'S AFFILIATE LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268514/iwnWgF48 👉 Bundle both courses — $169: [BUNDLE LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268515/iwnWgF48 Want personalized support building your own version of this? SOLO Coaching sessions start at $125 — 1:1, no subscriptions, built around your specific numbers and goals. 👉 Book a coaching session: [COACHING LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268516/iwnWgF48 Follow Dutch @dutchcuts for behind-the-chair clips and business breakdowns. Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries — see you next time.

    40 min
  6. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 5 | SUSANNAH BOLICH

    12/01/2025

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 5 | SUSANNAH BOLICH

    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 from Susannah? Her exact prep and follow-up loop. The 3-number weekly tracker she actually uses. How she plans for seasonal slowdowns before they hit. And the 2026 focus that will lift her dollar-per-hour without adding a single day. It's all in the complete episode and the best way to support Susannah is to take the next step through her link. Get the Money Solo course for $97 and build the financial foundation that makes strategies like Susannah's actually stick. 8 modules. 50+ lessons. Self-paced, industry-specific, lifetime access. Susannah earns when you invest in yourself. 👉 Get the Money Solo course  $97: [SUSANNAH'S AFFILIATE LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268514/zMCF4RdY Ready for personalized support on your own numbers? SOLO Coaching sessions start at $125 — 1:1, no subscriptions, built around your specific business. 👉 Book a coaching session: [COACHING LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268516/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.

    22 min
  7. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 4 | ALICIA AUSTIN

    11/23/2025

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 4 | ALICIA AUSTIN

    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? SalonScale is a proud sponsor of SOLO Diaries  and their support makes it possible to bring you real, practical business education built specifically for beauty and wellness professionals. Get the Money Solo course  8 modules, 50+ expert video lessons, everything beauty school skipped. $97. One time. Lifetime access. Industry-specific financial education that actually changes how you run your business. 👉 Get the Money Solo course: [AFFILIATE/COURSE LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/uynzahtL/checkout Want personalized support on your specific numbers? SOLO Coaching sessions are available now  1:1, no subscriptions, starting at $125. 👉 Explore SOLO Coaching: [COACHING LINK] https://courses.qnitylearning.com/offers/TJa6Zx2o/checkout And if you're not already using SalonScale  start your 14-day free trial here: [SALONSCALE LINK] Follow Alicia on Instagram @alicia.salonscale for product tips and real talk, and @salonscale for updates. Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries — see you next time.

    27 min
  8. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 3 | JACQUELINE CIULLA

    11/22/2025

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 3 | JACQUELINE CIULLA

    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 Jacqueline's full story is in the complete episode  and it's worth every minute. Her exact pricing shifts. The content rhythm that took her from 5 hours a day down to one. How she set up referrals and reporting in Square. How UGC brand deals opened a new income stream she didn't see coming. And the mindset that holds it all together. Ready to build your own version of that story? Grab the Money Solo course through Jacqueline's link she earns when you invest in yourself, and you get lifetime access to the financial education that changes how you run your business. $97. Yours forever. 👉 Get the Money Solo course: [JACQUELINE'S AFFILIATE LINK]  https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268514/oXCP84bE 👉 Earn More Money with the TikTok Shop Course: [BUNDLE LINK]  https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268515/oXCP84bE Follow Jacqueline @jacquelinecuratedhair for real-time behind-the-chair content and ideas. Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries, see you next time.

    34 min
  9. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 2 | JENN LYLES

    11/21/2025

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 2 | JENN LYLES

    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 The complete episode is available now. Jenn holds nothing back — her exact 3-step process for starting, how she grew an audience while keeping her regular schedule, why licensed professionals have a credibility edge most influencers can't touch, how beauty brands are paying pros $5,000/month for straightforward content, and the time management strategies that made TikTok her biggest income stream. If Jenn's story sparked something for you, here's the next step. How to Make Money on TikTok Shop is Jenn's complete playbook — 11 modules, built for licensed beauty and wellness professionals, taught entirely in the short-form video format you're already watching. $97. One time. No subscriptions. Enroll through Jenn's link and she earns when you do because that's how SOLO works. We grow together. 👉 Enroll now: JENN'S AFFILIATE LINK https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268514/9qLcdpaP Not ready for TikTok Shop yet? Start with the Money Solo course  $97  and build the financial foundation your business has always needed. Or grab both for $169 and save $25. 👉 Get the How To Make Money On TikTok Shop Course  https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268515/9qLcdpaP Follow Jenn on TikTok at @JennLyles to see this in action. Thanks for listening to SOLO Diaries.

    49 min
  10. SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 1 | DREW IRMEN

    11/20/2025

    SOLO DIARIES | EPISODE 1 | DREW IRMEN

    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 Drew's episode resonated with you, here's the best way to support him  and yourself. Pick up the Money Solo course through his link. $97. Lifetime access. The financial education beauty school never taught you and Drew earns when you invest. A real win-win. 👉 Get the Money Solo course here:  Money SOLO https://courses.qnitylearning.com/a/2148268514/TMyvXbKF

    49 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Step into the world of The SOLO Diaries — a podcast celebrating the courage, creativity, and resilience of independent beauty and wellness professionals. Hosted by Erin Bhansali, each episode shares raw, real conversations about the journey of going solo — the highs that inspire, the challenges that shape us, and the victories that remind us why we started. This is more than a podcast. It’s a movement — a community of artists redefining success, creating freedom on their own terms, and proving that no one truly succeeds alone. Real stories. Real growth. Real people.

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Kuhn
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Erin Kuhn
  • Show Website
    SOLO DIARIES