Q1: What is Sole T Mates?

A: Sole T Mates is New Zealand's first community-powered eco system, designed exclusively for independent sole trade hair and beauty professionals. We combine peer support; focus start up information and expert business guidance to help sole traders work through trouble spots and thrive together. Whether you're working from home, renting a chair at a salon, or operating a freelance service, we're here to connect you with other professionals and provide access to the tools, products and information you need to operate a successful business.  We have the belief that the more we join as a team, we can all benefit with a larger voice in our community.

Q2: Who can join Sole T Mates?

A: Our platform is designed for independent Hair and Beauty professionals including:

· Hairdressers

· Beauty therapists and aestheticians

· Nail technicians and artists

· Makeup artists

· Lash and brow technicians

· Spray tan artists

You must be 18+ years old

Q3: How do I sign up?

A: Joining is simple:

1.        Visit our website and click "Join Now"

2.        Complete your professional profile (name, services, qualifications)

3.        Verify your professional status (business registration, qualifications, or portfolio)

4.        Choose your subscription plan ($29/month)

5.        Start connecting with the community to build your team! and accessing businesses that want to support our businesses immediately!

Q4: Is there a free trial?

A: Yes! We offer a 14-day free trial so you can experience the full platform before committing. During your trial, you'll have access to the community and basic features. No credit card required to start your trial.

Membership & Pricing

Q5: How much does membership cost?

A: Sole T Mates membership is $29 per month (billed monthly). This gives you unlimited access to:

· Community forums and peer support network

· Discounted opportunities from our business supporters

· Links to Expert product curation and business guidance

· Local meetups and networking events

· Links to Educational resources and training materials

· Exclusive partner deals and discounts

· Competitions exclusive to the needs and benefits of the Sole T Mates

Q6: Can I cancel my membership anytime?

A: Absolutely! You can cancel your membership at any time with no cancellation fees. Simply go to your account settings and select "Cancel Membership." Your access will continue until the end of your current billing period. 

Q7: What if I'm just starting out and don't have much business yet?

A: Perfect! Sole T Mates is ideal for new professionals. You'll typically save enough on your first Sole T Mates supporter discounts and free advice to cover your membership fee. Plus, the community support and business guidance are invaluable when you're starting out. Many new members find the peer mentorship alone worth the membership cost.

Community Features

Q8: How does the community work?

A: Our community is built around the idea of building your team in business, while being independent!

· Discussion Forums: Ask questions, share experiences, get advice by topic (products, business tips, marketing, etc.)

· Local Groups: Connect with members in your city or region, this is encouraged through social media and competition base incentives.

· Mentorship Program: Get linked with experienced professionals in your field

· Event Calendar: Workshops, and networking events.

· Resource Library: Business templates, pricing guides, marketing materials

· Success Stories: Learn from other members' experiences and achievements

Q9: Is the community private and secure?

A: Yes, the community is private and only accessible to verified members. We have strict community guidelines and moderation to ensure a supportive, professional environment. You control your privacy settings and can choose what information to share.

Q10: Can I promote my services in the community?

A: We have specific areas for professional promotion:

· Member Directory: Create a detailed profile showcasing your services

· Local Connections: Connect with nearby members for referrals and collaboration

· Success Showcase: Share your work and achievements

· Collaboration Board: Find partners for events or joint ventures

However, general discussion forums are for peer support, not advertising. We maintain clear guidelines to keep the community helpful and spam-free.

Q11: Are there local meetups and events?

A: Yes!

 · Pop-up Events: Product launches, supplier showcases, seasonal celebrations

· Member-Led Events: Community members can organize their own local Sole T Mates

·

Privacy & Security

Q12: Is my personal information safe?

A: Absolutely. We take privacy and security very seriously:

· Data encryption: All personal and payment data is encrypted and secure

· Limited access: Only authorised staff can access member information

· Privacy controls: You control what information you share with other members

· Secure payments: We use bank-level security for all transactions

· Regular audits: We regularly review and update our security practices

· Compliance: We comply with New Zealand Privacy Act 2020

See our detailed Privacy Policy for complete information about data handling.

Q13: Can other members see my personal details?

 A: You control your privacy settings completely:

· Public Profile: Business name, services, general location (suburb/city level)

· Private Information: Phone, email, full address are never shared without permission

· Directory Listing: You can choose to be visible or hidden in member searches

· Communication: Direct messages are private and secure

· Opt-out Options: You can hide from directory or limit contact methods anytime

Q14: How do you verify members are legitimate professionals?

A: We have a thorough verification process:

· Professional Documentation: Business registration

· Social Media Check: Professional social media presence verification

· Ongoing Monitoring: We monitor for fake accounts and remove any non-professional members

· Community Reporting: Members can report suspicious accounts for investigation

This ensures our community remains professional and trustworthy.

Support & Technical

Q15: What if I need help using the platform?

A: We provide support:

· Email Support: hello@soletmates.co.nz (response within 24 hours)

Q15: What devices can I use to access Sole T Mates?

A: Sole T Mates works on all modern devices:

· Desktop/Laptop: Full-featured web application works on all browsers

· Mobile Phones: Responsive web app optimized for mobile browsing

· Tablets: Great experience on both iOS and Android tablets

· Mobile App: Native iOS and Android apps coming in 2025

All your data syncs across devices, so you can browse, order, and connect from anywhere.

Q16: What if I have technical problems?

A: Our technical support team is here to help

· Email Support: Send details to hello@soletmates.co.nz

We're committed to ensuring every member can successfully use all platform features.

Geographic Coverage

Q17: Which areas do you serve?

A: Currently, we serve:

· New Zealand: Nationwide coverage (launched 2025)

· Australia: Rolling out in 2026, starting with NSW and Victoria

· Coming Soon: Other Australian states throughout 2027

Q18: Can I access the platform while traveling?

A: Yes! Your Sole T Mates account works anywhere you have internet access. You can

· Connect with the community and participate in discussions

· Access resources and educational materials

· Manage your profile and business information

Suppliers & Partners

Q19: How do you choose your supplier partners?

A: We carefully select suppliers based on:

· Product Quality: Only professional-grade products that meet industry standards

· Reliability: Consistent stock, reliable delivery, good customer service

· Pricing: Competitive rates, incentives and discounts, that provide real member savings

· Innovation: Leading brands and cutting-edge products

· Member Feedback: We listen to what products our members want and need

· Ethics: Sustainable and cruelty-free options where possible

Q20: Can I suggest new products or suppliers?

A20: Absolutely! We love member suggestions:

· Supplier Recommendations: Tell us about suppliers you'd like us to partner with

· Member Voting: We regularly survey members about new product categories

Member input directly influences our marketplace development.

Success Stories & Results

Q21: What kind of results do members see?

A: Our members report significant benefits:

Financial Savings:

· Annual savings though Sole T Mates discounted supporters

Business Growth:

· Increased referrals: word-of-mouth business from networking

· Professional development: Enhanced skills through training and mentorship

· Confidence boost: Peer support leads to better client interactions and higher prices

Business enjoyment:

· Reduced isolation: feeling more connected to their pears in their industry

· Problem-solving: Quick access to peer advice saves time and stress

· Career satisfaction: Enhanced sense of professional community and support

Troubleshooting

Q22: I'm having trouble logging in. What should I do?

A: Try these steps:

1.        Check your email and password - ensure caps lock is off

2.        Reset your password - click "Forgot Password" on the login page

3.        Clear your browser cache - old data might be causing conflicts

4.        Try a different browser - sometimes browser-specific issues occur

5.        Check your internet connection - ensure you have stable connectivity

6.        Contact support - if nothing works, we can try and help. 

Q23: What new features are Sole T Mates planning?

 A: We're constantly improving!

· Mobile Apps: Native iOS and Android apps (2026)

· Advanced Analytics: Business performance tracking and insights

· Client Management: CRM features for member convenience

· Expanded Education: Professional certification programs

· Group Buying Events: Coordinated bulk purchases for maximum savings