I had never met Frank until my best friend Linda invited me to try his salon.
“You’ll believe me, Linda. He is the best beauty and hairdresser in Nairobi. You’ll love the experience,” she insisted.
I had reservations about male hairdressers. The massages at a beauty salon help me to relax.
Sometimes I go to the pub to relax or to a club to dance, but I prefer beauty treatments as part of socialising and maintaining positive mental health.
I thus was quite judgemental. Would he illuminate my nails in bright and sunny hues?
Would the facials leave my hair glowing? But the major question was why he was succeeding in a sector dominated by women.
His referrals were impressive, but what was the heart of his story?
We walked into the beauty salon along Moi Avenue and its aroma of flowers, with the pink and feminine touches, feels akin to a hug from a loved one as soon as you enter.
Wow. It was quite packed. It was a hive of activities, from manicures to pedicures and hair treatments.
You’d stand at the door and stare, amazed by how neatly organised the beauty centre was.
“Jessy, right,” this tall, dark guy with some well-kept dreadlocks says as he shakes my hand.
I could feel his cologne from afar.
“I was expecting you. We usually have bookings, but Linda is one of my favourites, and I reserved a session for you on her request,” he stated as he and Linda smiled at each other.
“Kindly follow me for an introduction,” he stated as he led the way. I pulled Linda aside.
“How long have you been coming here? Why didn’t you introduce me early on?” I whispered.
“Come on, Jessy. You’ll miss the show,” she explained.
“We offer numerous services for its clients, from haircuts, styling to colour and other hair treatments, and spa services.
“But above all, we celebrate women with authentic brilliance and beauty, ready to step into the look they love,” Frank added. This guy knew how to get into a client’s heart.
He ushered me to sit and added that he would, personally, attend to my nails, after learning that I had treated my hair a day before.
“Don’t expect less from my employees and me, and after, we aid you to relax and revel in being both feminine and strong, you can enjoy a drink or two at my restaurant across the floor. I recommend a chased Black and White Whisky,” Frank said. What an entrepreneur.
“So what do you do,” he asked as he cleaned my feet with warm water.
“I am a journalist ,” I answered briefly.
“Okay. So this is some sort of an interview?” he asked, pausing momentarily to stare at me. I nodded as we laughed, and then he got into storytelling, recalling how he started his business and the secret to his success.
Frank was a hotel manager in Nakuru, earning a six-figure salary.
“I studied hospitality and practised for six years. I loved the job, travelling around the country and managing various resorts. But I used to sit with my sisters during the holidays and learn one or two things about beauty and hairdressing.
“Sometimes, they would laugh at me. But during my free time, I used to practise with my girlfriend. I would apply makeup on her face, retouch her hair, undo it and style it,” he laughed.
The girlfriend would then refer her friends during his off days and leaves, and he would start charging them later.
“Then, one day, at my workplace in Nakuru, a client heading to dinner spoiled her make-up and hair. The stylist was quite held up, and I volunteered to aid her.
“They, at first, laughed and couldn’t believe it. Until I applied the finishing touches, they were like, ‘Why don’t you open your own Spa and beauty shop,” Frank recalled, adding that his girlfriend had also advised him about the same.
The two sat down and came up with a business plan, topped their savings with a loan and voila… their plan came to fruition.
“Just like your nails here,” he pointed at them, sparkling beautifully in white and red polka dots.
I marvelled at the beauty. I was more drawn to his stories and didn’t concentrate on admiring his skills.
Linda came around just in time, smiled, admired my nails, and waited for me as I visited the spa for a massage.
“Do you mind a drink? I am also closing the day, and we can pass some time and enjoy the day,” Frank stated, leading us to the restaurant.
“Hmm,” I agreed with him on relaxing and wrapping the day with a glass of Black and White.
And it was the perfect drink to celebrate such a successful entrepreneur.
“Some people initially did not believe in me, but nowadays, anyone can work in any sector. You just have to believe in yourself and give it your all in everything you do,” he advised. We toasted to success.