Ray Solnik knows that the power of a fresh haircut lies in more than just looking good. For unhoused people who don’t have regular access to self-care resources, a haircut can restore dignity and confidence, change the way a person is treated — and offer hope. That’s why Ray, a Great Clips franchisee who owns and operates 12 salons in California, started the Haircuts for Hope program, offering free haircuts at four of his locations to people who are currently homeless. Having recently delivered their 1,000th free cut, Ray notes that it was “a rewarding reminder of how many people we’ve impacted.”
Before embarking on his latest trajectory as a franchisee, Ray held senior executive roles, including president, chief operating officer, and chief development officer, at a number of Silicon Valley tech companies. He went “from high tech to low tech,” he says, but what has remained constant is his focus on marketing, product management, and business development. Ray has also always been involved in his community, through hands-on volunteering and offering his expertise and guidance as a board member to organizations as varied as the United Way, where he served for 12 years, and the San Jose Lawn Bowls Club.
It’s no wonder that Ray’s most recent venture, Seeds of Hope Silicon Valley — an initiative from which Haircuts for Hope stems — blends his business development and entrepreneurial skills with his passion for helping others. Co-founded by Ray in 2023, Seeds of Hope aims to provide permanent housing and community, along with on-site supportive services, to the chronically unhoused population of Silicon Valley. The nonprofit is modeled after similar tiny home communities around the country, like Community First! Village in Austin, Texas. It operates under the belief that “everyone deserves safe, dignified housing, and the opportunity to live, work, and be supported in and through a real community.” Ray, as president and CEO, is focused on fundraising, property acquisition, and partnering for the project, which is still in the planning phase. He explains, “We’re creating a place where our residents can live peacefully, comfortably, and productively.”
Whether it’s the confidence that comes from a fresh haircut or the security of a permanent home, Ray’s work proves that innovative thinking combined with genuine care can help tackle some of society’s most complex challenges.
