Princess Njokweni known popularly as Enhle February (26) started her business in 2021 after she had lost her job.
She highlighted that her knowledge about hair comes from a variety of online resources or sources which include Social media, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
“I watch tutorials a lot and that is how I learned about hair. My business started more as an experiment that turned into a blessing, a business.
“I was just playing with my sister’s hair and it happened that I was good and I just ran with it. And never looked back,” she said.
She mentioned that when she lost her job, she struggled to make ends meet as a single mother, her business helped her survive.
“It has been a great journey, with ups and downs but it’s surely the best thing that has ever happened in my life and I will forever be grateful.
“There are disadvantages that come with working with people. People sometimes have different personalities, some try by all means to defy your prices or not keep time, others do not understand the basic policies you set for your business but I manage to deal with all of that,” she said.
Njokweni mentioned that some days can be hard, saying some advantages come with the job.
“The advantages are a lot. I get to meet wholesome ladies with good energies, and I have built strong relationships with my clientele and through those relationships, I have built friendships.
“I have made a life for myself and I can cater for all my needs and those of my daughter,” added Njokweni.
She mentioned that her job requires the following skills which she learnt along the way:
*COMMUNICATION SKILLS – learned to listen actively, ask questions for clarity, and understand client’s needs and preferences.
*CONSULTATION SKILLS – Developed the ability to provide personalised advice and guidance to my clients.
*CREATIVITY AND PROBLEM-SOLVING- Learnt how to think creatively to solve problems while achieving the desired look
*TIME MANAGEMENT AND Organisation – Learnt to manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and maintain a clean workspace.
*CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS – I understand the importance of providing exceptional service, building relationships, and ensuring client satisfaction.
*BUSINESS SKILLS – I developed basic business skills such as marketing, pricing and inventory management
*CONTINUOUS LEARNING – The hair industry is constantly evolving so as a hairdresser I must stay up to date with the latest trends, techniques, and products
Njokweni mentioned that she does not teach others about her, maintenance and plaiting but is always willing to share her basic knowledge with others.
She stated that she wishes that she had productive ways to eliminate unemployment by creating job opportunities.
“Women empowerment could be another way for women to be to provide for themselves.
“Over and above everything, I am motivated by a passion for creativity, a desire to make people feel confident and beautiful, and the satisfaction of seeing my clients happy.
“I take care of their beautiful crowns,” she added.
By Simphiwe Nkosi
