Meet Liz: The Hairdresser Behind Archer & Solace Hair Sanctuary

Liz Kaszynski has clients who have been coming to her for 15 or 20 years.

For Liz, that says more about her business than almost anything else.

She runs Archer & Solace Hair Sanctuary, where she works independently and looks after every client herself. For her, hairdressing has always been about much more than the service someone has booked in for.

“It’s not a transaction. It’s a personal, human experience,” Liz says. “You remember people, their history, what they hated, what their lifestyle is like. I remember conversations from five years ago.”

It’s the little things that matter to her: taking the time to talk, giving a great head massage, making sure someone feels comfortable and, most importantly, not making them feel rushed.

Going out on her own

Before opening Archer & Solace, Liz spent five or six years working alongside her mum in a beauty day spa.

She had her own section and worked one-on-one with her clients from the beginning of their appointment to the end.

“We always provided a 1:1 service from start to finish with one person,” she says. “It was a 5-star experience. It was all about the experience.”

When the salon closed, Liz moved into a much busier salon environment. She liked the colour system, but the way appointments were structured wasn’t for her.

“I felt like I was in a production line,” she says. “I didn’t have the luxury of scheduling appointments how I wanted to. It felt too money hungry.”

Eventually, she decided she wanted to do things her own way.

The freedom to work differently

Ask Liz what she enjoys most about being independent and the answer is simple: freedom.

“There is no one-step service for everyone,” she says. “I love not being controlled by my timing or movements. I have the flexibility to work around being a mother. I like the autonomy of it.”

Being independent means she can decide how much time a client needs, how she structures her day and what kind of experience she wants to create.

But running your own business also means handling everything that happens outside the salon chair.

That was one of the reasons Liz started using HUSL.

Making the business side easier

Liz’s clients can now book their own appointments online, as well as reschedule or cancel them without having to message her.

Deposits are collected through the booking process, while appointment reminders are automatically sent by SMS and email.

“My clients are loving the ability to book an appointment anytime of day or night,” she says.

She also has an online store where clients can purchase the products she recommends.

“My clients find my booking system and my online shop powered by HUSL so easy to use.”

For Liz, one of the biggest advantages of the store is that she doesn’t have to keep shelves full of stock.

Through HUSL’s dropshipping service, a client can order through Liz’s eStore and have the product delivered directly to them.

“It’s so exciting that I don’t have to have inventory,” she says. “I can simply say, ‘Hang on, here’s the link,’ and they can tap on it whenever they like. It’s amazing.”

Shipping is $9.95, or free when the order is over $90.

What keeps clients coming back

Technology might make running the business easier, but Liz knows that isn’t why someone stays with the same hairdresser for 15 years.

“I’m Liz, and I provide a unique service. It’s the Liz service,” she says. “I can give my clients the service they like, the service they come to me for.”

She’s particularly proud of the relationships she’s built with her clients.

“When I talk to people, I go into a different world. We have deep conversations and the relationship grows over the years. There are lots of laughs.”

For Liz, that connection is one of the best parts of the job.

Helping other hairdressers take the leap

Liz is now thinking about how she can use what she’s learned to help other hairdressers who want to work independently.

“I want to help other hairdressers set up their businesses, other independents who have worked in salons but want to become independent,” she says.

And her advice for someone considering doing it themselves?

“You can do it. It’s okay. You’ve got this.”

Check out Liz's HUSL Beauty Profile to book with her.

Follow Liz on Instagram @archerandsolacehairsanctuary.