My husband and I arrived in the UK in May 2003. I started working at Saks Hair and Beauty and realised I could offer much better service at significantly better prices, so I started doing clients at home. At that stage we lived in a one bedroom flat and as you can imagine it wasn’t the ideal situation! I also did home visits but wanted to offer a proper salon experience and eventually opened the doors to first salon in Canada Water in April 2005. Six months later I opened another salon in Wimbledon Park.
What did you study?
I studied Human Movement Sciences at the University of Pretoria, but always knew my real passion was to be a hairdresser and work in the beauty and fashion industries. After completing my studies at varsity I studied to be a hairdresser.
Do you run the business side of D&D as well?
I am very lucky – my husband and I make a great team! I am responsible for the operational issues and he is excellent with numbers and has a real head for business!
Did you run a business in SA before opening in the UK?
No. I had just finished studying to be a hairdresser when we came to the UK. I didn’t have any experience of running a business, only loads of passion and energy!
How has your SA experience helped you in UK?
I went to university and stayed in a hostel before studying to be hairdresser where I learned many things… including invaluable people skills. On the other hand, being a hairdresser’s apprentice in SA, I gained great experience by participating in all sorts of competitions and attending events such as SA Fashion Week.
What inspired you to start a hair salon?
My mom has her own business as an interior decorator and I have always wanted to be my own boss. I find it very difficult working for someone as I like doing things my way (just ask my husband!) The training that I received in SA was fantastic, so when I worked for Saks, I saw an opportunity to start a business where I knew I could offer something special.
What makes Doyer & Doyer unique?
We aim to provide great service at reasonable prices. We give a personal touch in a friendly salon environment and each and every client is important to us. The Afrikaans speaking clients can tell us in Afrikaans what they want us to do with their hair!
What percentage of your clientele is South African?
It has changed over the last few months but I would say around 75% in Bermondsey and 65% in Wimbledon Park.
Do you find that being a SA hairdresser is a draw card?
I think it helps to get South African clients into the salon for the first time, but if I don’t provide a great service or if they don’t have a good experience they won’t stay loyal just because I’m South African. Ultimately, being located in London, I compete against some of the best salons in world for business!
How is it different in the UK to run a business?
Getting started was incredibly difficult because we didn’t know anyone or the way things work in the UK. In SA you have a network of people that you can use and you will either know, or know someone that will know a good lawyer/solicitor, builder, plumber etc. In the UK it is you against the system – all on your own!
What are the benefits of running your own business?
There are no benefits! No, it is incredibly rewarding on a busy day in the salon, with the music pumping and the girls chatting to think that at some stage all of this was just a dream and now it is real! It is fantastic to get rewarded for all the hard work that you put into a small business such as this.
What advice would you give to someone else wanting to start a business?
– Get a good solicitor to check all the contracts and leases you enter into. It might cost you some money initially but could potentially save you a lot of hassle (and money) in the long term.
– Get a builder that will be willing to help with maintenance emergencies at the most impossible times.
– Employ reliable managers that can share responsibility for day-to-day issues in the business – you can’t do everything on your own!
What are your interests and passions beyond your business?
I love any social event – wine with some of the yummy mummies in Wimbledon, coffee with my church friends or a wild party night with my gay friends!
