Every entrepreneur’s dream is to achieve business longevity, which is exactly what Chique Beauty founder, Masego Kunupi has managed to do.
The Kagiso-born businesswoman who holds a BCom Degree in economics from Unisa has expanded her 10-year-old beauty empire by recently launching 12 Chique Beauty franchises across South Africa, creating a number of jobs for people who are passionate about the beauty industry.
READ MORE | Success blossoms for this local beauty brand
Speaking to TRUELOVE, Kunupi says that she is passionate about the service part of the beauty industry.
“The word ‘Chique’ is a synonym for elegance. I wanted to tackle the service part of the beauty industry. I wanted to offer people service at its highest. The name Chique Beauty came about, with our slogan being 'elegance at its peak’,” she says.
She tells us more about her journey in the beauty industry, franchising and more.
Please tell us about your journey creating Chique Beauty?
My journey began in 2011. I used to do house calls mostly doing sew-in weaves for clients. I was very good with hair and by then social media wasn’t what it is today. So, I got my clients through word of mouth.
In 2012 I made a decision to take the business seriously and registered it. I continued to do house calls, and the biggest challenge then was that some clients wouldn’t want me to come to their houses. This forced me to create my own working space. I subsequently opened up a hair salon, which failed within a year.
I’m not one to give up, so I opened another one in a different location and it failed too! I diversified and entered into nails and make up, and I’ve never looked back. As a make-up artist, I’ve worked on some of the biggest productions in the country. I’ve also had great opportunities to work with big brands (local and international brands). I now run one of the most sought after beauty training academies in South Africa. I’m using my experience to impart the skills that I’ve acquired in the last 10 years.
How difficult was it to break into the beauty industry?
It was very tough to break into the industry 10 years ago. This was purely because in the beauty industry, clients buy into you, before they buy into what you are offering and no one knew me at the time. I had to work twice as hard to get noticed and to get my work known. I mostly relied on my clients and would offer “friends specials” where they would need to bring a friend.
Seeing that you hold an economics Degree, did you study beauty at any point in your career?
At the beginning of my career, I was pretty much “self-taught”. I believe it was talent but I also believe one can never stop empowering themselves and growing, so I did take a course in beauty. Developing one's self is key.
I now also have a certificate from an internationally accredited beauty firm, Face to Face Beauty and Make-Up Design School.
READ MORE | Mabel Ledwaba | From a bedroom salon to a successful beauty empire
Please tell us more about franchising and how can one get into it?
It’s of paramount importance to me to open up the industry. There is enough room for everyone hence the beauty training academy. While training my students about 3 years ago, they would often say: “Masego, we are now done with training and we would like to start our own salons, but we are afraid.”
The idea of the franchise was born then. I went into research mode. Even though I have a decade of experience in the beauty industry, I still had much to learn about a franchising model. As it stands today, we are franchising beauty bars, offering beauty services like microblading, threading, eyelash extensions, manicure and pedicure services, facials and IV drips as well.
Where are your 12 franchises located?
We are doing 12 store openings during the month of May and June, nationwide. We'll be opening stores in East Rand, West Rand, Centurion, Soweto, Sandton, Pretoria, Midrand, Vaal, Potchefstroom, Northwest, Protea Glen, and Fourways.
What inspired your NPO and the work you do to empower the young women in your community?
The word empowerment, to me, means to shift the mind of someone who is stuck. I work with young girls who head households, girls whose parents can’t afford to buy them school shoes, uniforms and so on. Over and above raising funds for their material needs. I spend time trying to shift and win their minds from a poverty mentality because I believe we are all wealthy. If you have the right state of mind, then you are wealthy.
I also host quite a number of empowerment events for women who are trying to get into business and for those who are in business. The talks would be based around finances, spiritual growth and vision and mission teachings. In my very recent event, we had Nicolette Mashile, known as the financial bunny, who empowered us with financial literacy.
8. What is the vision for Chique Beauty in the next 5 years?
The vision for Chique Beauty in the next 5 years is for the academy to be internationally accredited and to be planted in every province nationwide, empowering more women and to create more sustainable employment and partnerships through more franchises. We also want to give opportunities for women to own their own products.
