Name: Fika Dondolo
Company: Fika Beauty & Hair
Website: na
Contact: 0634226115
Email: na
Social Media: Instagram @beauty_hair_by_fika
Two years ago, Fika Dondolo used her self-taught beauty skills to start her business, Fika Beauty & Hair.
With over 19,000 followers on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram, her brand has become popular in the metro.
Using patience, art and passion, the 29-year-old glams up her clients for all occasions.
"I started my business because it is something I am passionate about. I grew up around my older sister, who had a salon, and I always helped out after school."
While job scarcity may have forced her to go on her own, she is proud to have progressed from waitress to business owner doing something she loves.
"My business started as a side hustle when I worked as a waitress. I used to save tips and incorporate these with my monthly salary to buy what I needed to start selling hair products."
She now offers weave installations, hair treatments and products, as well as a range of other beauty products.
She also offers a nail bar and makeup, including eyelash extensions.
"Growing up and working closely with my sister taught me the skills to master hair care. I only went to beauty school to do a short course for nails."
Dondolo said her business was growing steadily and continued to attract clientele.
"It is exciting to see where I am now. The growth has been tremendous, from someone who used to sell hair, using the dining room as a salon, to actually establishing my own space for my business," she said.
She said during load-shedding her business stayed open.
"Load-shedding was a challenge, but by the grace of God, I managed to afford a backup generator that keeps me powered up."
With her business thriving, she has four employees who work alongside her.
"What keeps me going and thriving is the positive reviews from my clients on how happy they are and how they love my work. I always aim to make sure that I do my best and consistently improve.
"That makes me feel good and is what keeps me going," she said.
The use of digital media tools such as Tiktok, Facebook, and Instagram has helped her brand grow and attract more clients.
"These platforms have helped market my business, especially by word of mouth. Social media engagement has been the best. People started noticing me and have played a role in building my brand ' s reputation."
