Having been in the hairdressing industry since her teens, Candice Naidoo loved the craft enough to never give up.
Naidoo, the owner of Best Hair in Westbourne Road, Richmond Hill, said the journey was not always smooth sailing, but after eight years her salon was still thriving.
Aside from running her own business, the vivacious stylist loves travelling and being with her almost 12-year-old son, Jared.
Give us some background on yourself and the business.
I started at Hairdressing College when I was 14 years old. I was probably the youngest student there, ever.
The funny part is that they didn’t realise I was too young until I was almost finished with the course – and I think they thought if they sent me home I wouldn’t come back.
I eventually qualified when I was 19.
After staying in Port Elizabeth for a few years, I spent four years working as a stylist on cruise ships for two years. I then spent another two years in London.
I was born in Durban and raised in Cape Town, but PE will always be home.
I arrived at this salon in October 2010, and it was owned by someone else. He was going overseas and I came to look after the salon for him. I took over the business in November 2011.
Where was the business idea born?
Truthfully, it was born because of my son. I never had any aspirations to own my own business. My mother is a hairdresser and has always worked for herself.
And being in the industry from such a very young age, I have watched all my bosses and knew it was absolutely hard work.
I was quite happy to be an employee and walking away at the end of every day.
But being a single mom, there isn’t always a lot of support.
You have hopes and dreams for your child.
I wanted my son to grow up and be proud.
Having my own business meant that I could provide him with better opportunities and it allows me to be an example to him.
What do you think makes your business unique?
What I wanted to create in this salon was a casual environment.
I want my clients to feel that they were at their friends’ home, having their hair done in the living room, but without sacrificing any quality.
They should still be getting top quality and top skill.
I keep the salon small on purpose because that’s what suits me and my clients.
I don’t have a couch, I have a day bed because many of my clients have kids.
The kids are in and out of here in their school uniforms and the moms, or dads, can get their hair done feeling relaxed.
If someone wanted to take one key lesson from your business model, what would it be?
You have got to love it, because it’s hard.
You cannot give up, no matter what gets thrown your way.
At one point I broke my ankle and I got very ill and things were really difficult for a while – but a client and a family member called me and said: “just get up every day, go to work, don’t panic, just persevere and it will get better”.
You are stronger than you believe and you can handle more than you think you can – but it isn’t always going to be pretty.
What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before even getting off the ground?
I had a lot of job offers when I came back to PE and someone said to me, “when your business fails, my doors are always open”. Not if – when.
And that stuck with me but actually became one of my biggest motivators.
Because I had come here and taken over, I wasn’t employed so the banks had no interest in me.
I had nothing to start up my business.
Added to that, having not been in PE for 12 years, I had no clients.
I walked up and down these streets. I walked from here to Greenacres [Shopping Centre], going into every shop with business cards and introduced myself.
I offered discounts.
Once you had funding, what was the first step in launching the business?
One of my suppliers ended up giving me their whole showroom.
They are still one of the main reasons I am still standing.
One of my landlords’ wives helped me design and set up the salon.
She gave her time and talent and even paid for some stuff herself.
Another landlord’s wife was also very loyal and has sent many clients my way.
It was such a community effort that one of my clients actually named the salon.
What are some of your biggest challenges in day-to-day business operations and your particular industry?
There is tons of competition.
Just in Westbourne Road alone there are at least seven hair salons.
But I believe there is more than enough to go around.
And then there’s load-shedding.
We have definitely felt the economic dip in the last three years.
Just looking at this time of the year, in the past there would be a lot more people getting their hair done for year-end functions.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you about success?
Wake up every day, put your head down and get the job done. One of my clients told me that.
There have been people over the years who wanted to partner with me and my clients would always say “don’t”.
Don’t think that because things are not great now, that they won’t get better.
People who want to partner with you can see your potential – you should see it too.
How do you measure or define success in your business?
If the phone is ringing and there is a client in the chair and I see familiar faces, then I am doing something right.
What kind of advertising do you do?
I have tried lots of advertising over the years but at the moment, it’s just word of mouth.
What are some of your highlights in running your business?
This interview, definitely.
I have been involved in a couple of shows so being able to work with the artists in PE is a highlight.
Over the years, when I was working in a salon, the products that were on display was what you got.
Having my own business meant that I could try every single product out there and no one can tell me that I can’t.
The world is really open to me.
This means I can offer my clients whatever they want.
How many people do you employ?
I have one stylist. But at the moment we also have a few students that are doing their hours and training here.
What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in a city like PE?
People in PE are very loyal and that’s why this salon is filled with everybody who knows everybody.
I also believe that PE has some of the best hairdressers in the country.
Essentially, the challenges and advantages go hand in hand.
People in Port Elizabeth have been with me for a lot of my struggles.
What do you think are the key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
Tenacity. Passion. Believing in your skill.
Because I am an artist, the business stuff just kills me.
So if you are not capable of doing both, having a good support system is important.