Startup Story
Every woman wants to look good and feel confident, and there is nothing quite like getting a great beauty therapy experience to help achieve that goal. Yet for many women in South Africa, getting access to high quality beauty treatments that are affordable can be a challenge. But in Johannesburg and Soweto, entrepreneur and beauty therapy specialist, Lebogang Ndhlovu, founder of Amare Beauty and Consulting, has the solution.
LoA learned more about this talented beauty therapy business builder this month and how she is bringing beauty feel-good to her clients.
What does your company do?
We help our clients attain their image goals through our beauty therapy services (nails, lashes, facials, waxing etc) and through our consulting services where we offer bespoke packages that assist their them with taking their confidence levels from 1-10 through image consulting. We also aim to bring inclusivity in terms of pricing as far as our beauty therapy services are concerned, because most women cannot afford the often high priced beauty treatments on offer in salons because they are way too pricey, so we offer them at an affordable rate - this means that any and every woman can feel confident.
“What makes my business and our services special is that fact that we are helping women reclaim their power through assisting them with their image goals.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Growing up as a little girl in the township of Soweto, I struggled with my self-image because I was always picked on due to my physical features. I had such a difficult time loving myself that I would hide behind baggy clothes or avoid smiling. It even got to a point where my mother had to take me in for child counselling. Another reason for starting my business was that I know how frustratingly pricey beauty therapy services are, and I also know the importance of having those services boost your confidence and assist you with a positive self-image. So, I wanted to offer them at a price where every woman is able to afford them.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
What makes my business and our services special is that fact that we are helping women reclaim their power through assisting them with their image goals. We also aim to help redefine the beauty industry, because as Beauty Entrepreneurs we are always labeled as "beauties with no brains”. We are changing that narrative and a host of other stereotypes, such as the one that suggests beauty therapy services are used to change how people look because they hate themselves. No, if we can help you feel better about yourself through beauty therapy, then our job is done because your confidence is everything to you.
“We also aim to help redefine the beauty industry, because as Beauty Entrepreneurs we are always labeled as "beauties with no brains”. We are changing that narrative!”
Tell us a little about your team
Currently I am a one-woman team, a solopreneur. I was in a partnership, but it ended this year.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I fell in love with entrepreneurship in my matric year. During my June exams, I knew that I wanted to go into business after my final exams. I had no previous entrepreneurial background, I just fell in love with the possibility of working with freedom and authenticity. No boundaries. I was 19 when I started and today I'm 23, so I have been in business for four years.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I plan and aspire to have branches of my business all over Soweto and Johannesburg. I would also like to venture into the corporate space and assist businesses and people with their image and grow my brand within that space. I also plan to start my speaking career, sharing my insights on the importance of image.
“If we can help you feel better about yourself through beauty therapy, then our job is done because your confidence is everything to you.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Freedom. I love the fact I'm not bound by any rules and I can stretch myself to my optimum best because I'm not bound. I can dream big; and I can do big without having to ask for permission.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start. You don't need a lot of things, really. You just need to start with what you have. There is no excuse why anyone shouldn't realize their dreams. They just need to start. You know within you what you want, where you want to be so just start. lol!
Contact or follow Amare Beauty and Consulting
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL amarebeauty1@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
They often say that the best reason to start a business is to find a pain-point and then provide a solution. Lebogang Ndhlovu has done just that, providing affordable, high quality beauty therapy treatments and consulting services to help her clients build their confidence by looking and feeling good. As a result, she is finding her niche, building her reputation for great service, and expanding her client base. That is what being a successful entrepreneur is all about! — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa