About us

Welcome to Soja Studios

A Hair, Beauty & Wellness collective founded by co-owners Jordana Southwell and James Joblin.

Established in East Brisbane in 2020, Soja Studios has grown from a boutique hair space into a sought-after destination for modern self-care. What began as a small studio has quickly evolved, driven by an ever-growing community and a reputation for quality, creativity, and connection.

Through years of industry experience and countless conversations with clients, Jordana and James identified a gap in the market — a place where highly skilled, trusted professionals could offer elevated hair and beauty services in one seamless, luxurious environment.

At the heart of Soja Studios is our relaxed yet fashion-forward hair salon, home to a team of expert colourists and stylists. Beyond the salon floor, six beautifully designed treatment suites host a collective of independent beauty and wellness professionals, delivering bespoke services that prioritise both results and experience.

Soja Studios is more than a studio… it’s a destination where expertise, individuality, and self-care come together under one roof.

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Meet the Team behind Soja Studios

  • Jordana Southwell

    FOUNDER & SENIOR HAIRSTYLIST

    With over 12 years in the industry, Jordana is known for her calm, considered approach to hair and her love of natural, lived-in colour. Her signature work focuses on beautifully blended results, with a particular passion for sparkling brunettes and soft, dimensional blondes — always prioritising hair health and longevity.

    Soja Studios was created from a desire to do things differently. Alongside working with clients, Jordana is deeply passionate about mentoring and shaping the next generation of Soja stylists, fostering a supportive, elevated environment built on skill, confidence, and integrity.

    She proudly works with Kérastase, choosing high-performance products that align with her commitment to long-term hair health and refined, effortless results.

    Book directly with Jordana here.

    See more of Jordana’s work here.

  • James Joblin

    FOUNDER & SENIOR HAIRSTYLIST

    With over 8 years in the industry, James brings a thoughtful, intuitive approach to hair, shaped by his roots in Northern NSW and a love for natural, beach-worn texture. His work follows a less-is-more philosophy, using intricate colour placement to create effortless, personalised results.

    James is deeply invested in building genuine connections with his clients, taking the time to truly understand their lifestyle, preferences, and vision.

    Alongside his work behind the chair, he is a crucial part of the Soja Studios culture — mentoring and paving the way for the next generation of hairdressers with confidence, creativity, and care.

    Book directly with James here.

    See more of James’s work here.

  • Georgia

    MANAGER & SENIOR HAIR STYLIST

    If you’re looking for a blonde specialist, Georgia is your girl. With over 9 years in the industry, she has a passion for creating bright, clean, and creamy blondes with seamless, confidence-boosting results but is no stranger to also creating a beautiful brunette.

    As Salon Manager at Soja Studios, Georgia plays a vital role in guiding our team and shaping the growth of our ever-evolving studio. Known for her bubbly personality and love of conversation, she’s a true social butterfly — always ready to chat, laugh, and make every appointment feel effortless and enjoyable.

    When she’s not behind the chair, Georgia is a beach baby at heart, happiest soaking up the sun and spending time by the ocean.

    Book directly with Georgia here.

    See more of Georgia’s work here.

  • Taya

    SENIOR HAIR STYLIST

    Taya hails from coastal Tasmania and has spent the last few years settling into her Brisbane home. She has been a part of our ever-growing Soja family from almost day one, making her one of our longest-standing stylists and a trusted presence in the studio.

    Taya specialises in sun-kissed brunettes and effortless, beachy blondes. She has a natural talent for haircuts and styling, with a focus on her iconic 70’s face-framing bangs and butterfly cuts. A true perfectionist, everything leaving her chair looks flawless, earning her a loyal, long-standing clientele who return time and time again.

    Off the chair, Taya can be found enjoying a coconut margarita by the beach or brunching with her partner — always soaking up the sun and good vibes.


    Book directly with Taya here.

    See more of Taya’s work here.

  • Ben

    SENIOR HAIR STYLIST

    Ben has been hairdressing for over 9 years and is now happily settled in Brisbane as part of the Soja family. Ben has worked alongside some of the industry’s best and brings incredible talent to Soja.

    Ben is a master of big transformations, creating dimensional blondes and brunettes with precision and care. Known for being an attentive listener, he always puts his clients’ wants and needs first. A gentle soul, Ben treats every head of hair with respect — and pairs it with a seriously relaxing head massage.

    Outside the salon, Ben enjoys wholesome weekends at home with his partner, visiting family on the Gold Coast, or unwinding at the beach.

    Book directly with Ben here.

    See more of Ben’s work here.

  • Larissa

    SENIOR HAIR STYLIST

    Say hello to our bright & bubbly Larissa! With just over 4 years of industry experience and has worked alongside some of Australia’s best.

    Larissa is a natural born talent for her bright & beachy blondes but also a master at delivering the perfect balance of depth and pops for those natural haired girlies. She takes so much care in every step of the hair journey, and is our tik-tok insta loving babe who will nail a before & after shot if you’re into that & is an absolute perfectionist when it comes to her work.

    Book directly with Larissa here.
    See more of Larissa’s work here.

  • Issey

    SENIOR HAIR STYLIST

    Issey joined the Soja team in 2025 and is settling in beautifully. A Brisbane-born talent, she’s a true master of all trades, with a particular flair for blonde balayage and a growing expertise in extensions. Known for her quiet but friendly & approachable personality, Issey loves connecting with her clients and creating hair that feels effortless.

    Outside of the salon, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, staying up-to-date with hair trends, and embracing all the little joys Brisbane has to offer. Her energy, creativity, and passion for hair make her a welcome addition to the Soja family, and she’s quickly becoming a favourite among our clients.

    Book directly with Issey here.

    See more of Issey’s work here.

  • Anastasia

    EMERGING SENIOR STYLIST

    Anastasia, also known as Anna— is our newest member, joining the Soja team in early 2026 as a Senior Emerging Hairstylist.

    A lover of all hair, she has a special passion for blondes and bronde tones, bringing a confident and skilled approach to every colour and cut.

    Anna is also known for her killer bouncy butterfly blow-dries, leaving every client feeling polished, effortless, and radiant. With her friendly, hardworking nature and confidence, she’s already such a newly valued addition to the Soja family — always ready to support the team and create hair you’ll love.

    FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2026—we’re offering a special 20% OFF promo for all appointments with Anastasia. To claim this discount, please use “SOJA20” in the online booking notes, or mention it upon booking.

    Book directly with Anastasia here.

    See more of Anastasia’s work here.

  • Sydney

    SENIOR EMERGING STYLIST

    Sydney is also joining the Soja team in early 2026 as a Senior Emerging Hairstylist. Hailing from Utah in the US, she’s bringing her new fresh feel to Soja- and we’re so excited to have her!

    A true lover of all hair, she has a particular passion for creating rich, dimensional colour, seamless balayages and glossy brunettes. Sydney is a social-media superstar and will often be seen working magic behind the camera for our herself and other stylists.

    With her friendly, approachable nature and dedication to her craft, Sydney is already a valued addition to the Soja family.

    When she’s not behind the chair, she’s spending time with her husband, family or soaking up the beautiful unique Australian sights.

    FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY & FEBUARY 2026—we’re offering a special 20% OFF promo for all appointments with Sydney. To claim this discount, please use “SOJA20” in the online booking notes, or mention it upon booking.

    Book directly with Sydney here.

    See more of Sydney’s work here.

  • Shelby McDonald

    FREELANCE HAIR STYLIST

    Shelby is your absolute go girl for bright & creamy blondes, however has a natural talent for those lived-in & natural colours. Shelby is bursting with passion and creativity & with 10 years of experience in the industry, trust assured you are in the best seat for creating the perfect blonde to suit your lifestyle!

    Book directly with Shelby here.

    See more of Shelby’s work here.

  • Gemma Morales

    FREELANCE HAIR STYLIST

    If you’re after a beachy blonde balayage or a multi-tonal brunette- Gemma is the hairdresser for you! With an epic 17 years in hairdressing, and a precision haircutter you’re in the best hands when it comes to hair.

    When Gemma isn’t behind the hair chair, you can find her spending time with her family relaxing at the beach.

    Book directly with Gemma here.

    See more of Gemma’s work here.

  • Jessie McGorlick

    FREELANCE HAIR STYLIST

    Jessie is our in-house extension & colour specialist. She has a passion for all things blonde, balayage & creating big transformations!

    Jessie is such a down to earth & beautiful soul and for all those who are lucky enough to get your hair done by Jessie knows she truly cares about getting the best result for you & your hair.

    Book directly with Jessie here.

    See more of Jessie’s work here.

Brands we use & love

  • Kérastase

    Kérastase is the world's leading luxury professional haircare brand. For over 55 years, it has built its reputation on delivering exceptional performance on scalp and hair through exquisite & luxurious products and bespoke in-salon treatments.

  • Wella

    For over 135 years, Wella has been delivering professional hair color innovation that enable hairdressers’ reach their full creative potential. Our portfolio of hair color products are vegan, sustainable & create healthy, luminous & rich colour.

  • K18

    Soja cares about your hair health, which is why we have partnered with the innovative brand that is K18. We use K18 in all colour services performed at Soja Studios.

    Until now, haircare products covered up damage with conditioning treatments that coat hair in oils, bringing superficial hydration and sheen, while repair treatments patch damage like internal glue – strong but brittle—and provide temporary results. K18 is the first product that actually heals your hair from the inside out.

  • Hair Candy Australia

    After years of working across several hair extensions brands, we have searched high & low to find the best quality hair, best techniques and best product to ensure you get premium service.

    Hair Candy Australia has always impressed us and we have found it to be the longest lasting & best quality out there.