By Mzukona Mantshontsho
PHUMUDZO HAIR SALON is on 7638 Central Republic Drive, in extension 6, Cosmo City.
I spoke to Founder Phumudzo Nematahalelwe about her personal and entrepreneurial journey to where she is today.
Tell us about your early life to your role today
I am a third born in a family of six siblings. I was born and raised in a rural village called Phadzima Mazuwa. I was raised by my mother and grandmother. The family survived on grant money from my grandmother, so yes, we struggled a great deal. I guess that is where I learnt at an early age, the value of hard work. I saw my doing informal trading to survive, I guess that is where the entrepreneurial seed was planted, I didn’t know then. I could plait people at a tender age of 12 years using wool, hence my first instinct to start a salon business.
After matric, I studied at Libhu’s Salon and Academy, through those studies, I could work on my own at Libhu branch in Pietersburg in 2010.
What does your role mean to you?
I have always thought of myself as an entrepreneur and never an employee, always had the ambition of creating employment for others as I am a breadwinner at home TODAY.
What are the most critical resources for your successful leadership?
We now have 7 employees, so working as a team is important for my successful leadership. I have a transport business to supplement my salon work, so I give my employees the freedom to do the work, I am never micro-managing, that is empowering, I believe.
What can we expect from you going forward?
I would like to see Phumudzo Hair Salon franchised at different malls in Gauteng and back home in Limpopo.
What are your words of advice for young people, particularly women to start small businesses?
Start early, start small, start with whatever you have at your disposal. Let our young girls do away with the dependency on so called ‘blessers’ for survival, it never ends well.
What are your thoughts on Covid-19 in terms of small businesses?
Covid-19 was an eye opener for ALL. Luckily for me I have a transport business which I used to supplement my income. We did house calls during the hard lockdown days, our clientele appreciated that.
If you had all the powers in the World?
All children below the age of five years, should not apply hair chemicals to their hair!
What is the legacy that you would want to leave when you retire?
I would love to have Phumudzo Hair Salon in every province.
What have been your highs and lows of your working career?
My personal high would be starting my own business, my lows are used as my lessons to do better next time!
When you not at work, what do you get up to?
I love SHOPPING and love listening to good gospel music.
Where can people follow you or your business online?
On Facebook, we are Phumudzo Hair Salon, I am a firm believer in word-of-mouth, that has worked for me greatly.
