In the heart of King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, two young women are redefining what it means to be beautypreneurs in South Africa. Through determination, grit, and community collaboration, Kay and Hloni, co-founders of Bureau Still A Salon, have built a luxury beauty business that’s inspiring a generation of female entrepreneurs.
Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own business or want to know how others are doing it with limited resources, this is a story worth reading.
🌱 Humble Beginnings: Beauty with Purpose
Both founders come from small towns in the Eastern Cape — places with limited opportunities and no high-end beauty services. Despite family pressure and societal expectations, Kay pursued her dream of working in the beauty industry by freelancing during varsity, doing makeup for fellow students.
Her hustle began with a small box of makeup and a big dream.
Similarly, Hloni started by selling weaves from her bedroom. With just R2,000 capital, she began her hair business and moved into her own flat to accommodate her growing clientele. Over time, her commitment to customer service and quality turned her hustle into a sustainable salon space.
👯♀️ A Partnership Built on Trust and Shared Vision
In June of the previous year, Kay approached Hloni to rent a chair in her established space. What began as a rental relationship evolved into a full-blown partnership. The two women clicked instantly, sharing a vision for what their salon could become — a one-stop luxury beauty experience for women in King William’s Town.
With no external funding, they renovated the space themselves. Weekends became renovation days. Every rand was saved and reinvested into their dream. Today, their salon is known as a safe, elegant space where women can relax, get pampered, and feel empowered.
💄 Services Fit for a Queen
Their salon offers:
Professional makeup services
Nail artistry and lash extensions
Weave installations, colouring, and treatments
Full facials, waxing, body massages, and even foot scrubs
Welcoming amenities like wine, cappuccinos, and signature cocktails
Clients can spend the entire day indulging in their services — and many do.
“We wanted to create a luxurious environment where women could unwind, feel valued, and walk out feeling brand new,” says Kay.
📈 Challenges and Lessons from the Beauty Business
While the salon is thriving, it hasn’t been without its challenges.
From late clients and price-haggling to being undervalued as young female professionals, both Kay and Hloni have faced their share of frustrations. But they’ve learned how to navigate these obstacles by staying professional, creating boundaries, and building strong client relationships.
They’ve also learned that in the beauty industry, you are the product. Your energy, your skill, your professionalism — they all matter.
💬 Advice for South African Entrepreneurs
Hloni and Kay’s journey is a blueprint for building a business from the ground up. Here’s what aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from them:
Start small, but start. Whether it’s R2,000 or a box of makeup — begin where you are.
Invest in learning. Kay took business courses to better understand entrepreneurship.
Build partnerships. A great partner can take your vision further than working solo.
Create a space your clients love. Comfort, service, and ambiance are everything.
Stay consistent. Show up, every day, and keep building — even when it’s tough.
🏡 The Role of Property in Their Future
Both entrepreneurs agree: owning property is part of their long-term business strategy. Renting has its place, but they envision expanding into business-owned premises — giving them the freedom to renovate, grow, and diversify into other businesses.
Property, for them, is the next chapter in building true wealth and stability.
💖 What Success Really Looks Like
For Hloni, success is financial freedom — the ability to provide for her child without stress. For Kay, it’s about giving back — mentoring and empowering other young women to enter the beauty industry.
They believe true success is about building something bigger than yourself — a business that changes lives and uplifts communities.
🌍 Final Thoughts
Kay and Hloni’s story is proof that you don’t need perfect conditions to start a business in South Africa. What you need is vision, work ethic, collaboration, and a belief in your worth.
Their journey from garage setups and varsity dorm rooms to a full-fledged luxury salon is a testament to the power of women in business.
📍Based in King William’s Town? Treat yourself at Bureau Still A Salon — where beauty, luxury, and empowerment meet.