Sello wants to groom himself into an industry-leading barber

POLOKWANE – Sello Tshula is a professional barber from Seshego who adds a personal element to his grooming.

Sello risked it all to fulfil his dream of getting into the grooming industry. Unlike many who share a story of cutting hair being an ability they are born with, Sello is honest that it is something that he had to learn and practice hard to perfect.

“I remember I was 17-years-old at the time and I had my younger brother’s head to practice on. After many attempts, I felt confident enough to do it for money but only two people showed up,” he shared.

With that, he decided to take his business to the streets. The 25- year-old saw a post from a company in Pretoria that was looking for a barber to join their team and he applied. Sello took a risk by going for the interview without a plan for accommodation, should he not succeed.

“I went for that interview dressed all formally as one would for any interview, only to find out it was a more casual setting. Fortunately, I was successful because I was prepared to sleep at a garage should I not have been successful,” he said.

His getting the job resulted in him provided with accommodation while he found his feet. At the end of last year, he decided that it was time for him to officially do his own thing but it was the lockdown that set his business in motion. As soon as regulations were eased, he started doing house calls and business has been booming as a result.

“What won my clients over is the convenience of having a full house of on trend treatment in the comfort of their own homes. We have removed the travelling to a salon and that period of standing in a queue to have your hair done,” he explained.

His plans for the future include getting operating space to also reach the clients that prefer to go to the salon rather than the salon coming to them. “I want to grow in the business and that means having the courage and audacity to chase those dreams,” he said.

reporter04@nmgroup.co.za