“It is important for hairdressers to think entrepreneurially when building and maintaining a clientele so as to maximise their earnings potential,” Sean says. “The cost of the technical courses is as follows: R2 917 per month for twelve months for the full-time course, R1 000 for the trade test course, R750 for the dreadlock styling course and R1 000 for the bonding course. Our prices are well below the industry average as we are cognisant of the fact that our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is also the reason our campus is in the CBD as it is accessible given that most of them use public transport.” After completing course work, students are required to work under a certified stylist for twelve to eighteen months in order to receive their full qualifications. Thereafter they will take the SETA trade test to be officially certified as a hairdresser. Royal Hairstyles has built relationships with a number of reputed salons to facilitate these internships as well as jobs once the candidates are certified. “We see tons of potential in the local ethnic hairdressing industry,” Ken reveals, “and we think that the key to unlocking that potential is
ensuring that hairdressers are welltrained.” The partnership is coming to the end of a very successful first year partly because of the varied combination of skills the founders bring to the business; Sean heads operations, marketing and finance while Ken handles the crucial technical training element. There are three other lecturers at the academy, each with significant hairdressing experience – Lucky Lepe, Kay Kalkapersad and Sisa Ntsadu.
“African American finance expat teams up with South African hair expert to revolutionalise the local hair industry through high level training...” Royal Hairstyles has partnered with Africa’s second largest hair care company, Organic Root Stimulator (ORS) in its training initiative. ORS provides hair care products, assists with marketing and also provides bursaries for some students. Once finished, students are also eligible to access up to R350 000 in grant funding from the Department of Trade and Industry to start their own businesses.
Ken
Royal Hairstyles is planning to broaden its offering to include cosmetology and their vision encompasses expanding the brand to other parts of the country and the rest of the continent. New students from South Africa and the rest of Africa are invited to register for the forthcoming class; find below the relevant contact details. Space is quite limited and demand is high, so the team encourages interested parties to apply soon. Physical Address: 3rd Floor, Works @ Main 195 Main Street, Johannesburg 2001 Website: www.royalhairstyles.com Twitter: @royalhairstyles Email and Phone: Sean Walker - Co-Founder sean.walker@royalhairstyles.com +27 84 228 4318 Kenneth Mokgosi - Co-Founder kenneth.mokgosi@royalhairstyles.com
+27 83 436 8102 Office Telephone: 011 079 6702
Sean WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA
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