New app to assist hair salons
ALEXANDRA - A new app which could revolutionise the hair beauty industry through mobile salons is on the cards.
The hair beauty sector is a profitable industry, including in townships like Alexandra where every street has several salons.
The initiator Charmagne Mavudzi who operates a business in the sector started the app 360 Mobile Salon which was recently commended by venture capitalists on Dragons’ Den SA. She wants other small and emerging businesses in the industry to benefit and grow their ventures using the app.
Mavudzi said her initiative was inspired by the successful app business model employed by metered taxi company Uber.
Capitalising on her hair extensions business, Mavudzi said she noticed clients were increasingly pressed for time, resulting in rushed treatments and stressed clientele. “I realised if I took clients’ travel time out of the equation, we’d be a long way towards improving the overall customer experience,” she said.
She stated the initiative required innovative thinking. It starts with a fully mobile appointment management technology as the central hub for all transactions. The transactions include clients’ bookings for services ranging from manicure and pedicure, make-up, hair, massage, and ordering products which arrive at specified times.
Vinny Lingham, initiative investor, said Mavudzi’s concept was an impressive and intuitive realisation of a gap in this market. “Her business model is simple, innovative and addressed critical operational issues clearly and pragmatically. The application is key to the success of the start-up which I will provide skills and experience for,” he said.
Mavudzi said the technology will be a differentiator in her business. “Clients can choose their preferred technician through the app, and rate the technician’s service. All travel costs are included in the fees, which are highly competitive. The model is geared around complete client convenience and measurable service levels. We have sought to put the client in control of the experience.”
She added the initiative will also prioritise customer retention through their rating and feedback on hair technicians and, frequent training of the technicians in order to maintain appropriate levels of quality.
“In addition to building strong businesses, the model will empower technicians to be real entrepreneurs through business skills, opportunities for stronger and stable income and the building and growing of brands.
The app will launch on 1 November in the Sandton area first and expand country-wide within a year.
Details: www.360mobilesalon.co.za.
