SOLO DIARIES

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 a...

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 h...

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 th...

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 esthetici...

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 cli...

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 matte...

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 am...

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 alway...

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 jo...

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...