Learn from the expert

Considering going into the beauty world? Take tips from Noli Mini, operations and business development manager of Relax Spas.

How I got my job

I’ve always loved the beauty world, so after matric I studied somatology at the Valerie Teubes Beauty Academy in East London. After completing my diploma in 2002, I joined Camelot as a junior spa therapist. Over the next five years, I focused on specialised spa treatments and completed the Spa Management Diploma at Camelot International Health and Skincare.

What I do

After completing my diploma, in 2006, I worked at Camelot Spa at the Table Bay Hotel, and then as a supervisor at the Arabella Spa at The Westin. There I learnt the ins and outs of spa management and how the spa fits within the hotel.

The prospect of thousands of tourists coming to SA for the Fifa World Cup in 2010 inspired me to start my

own mobile spa brand, Relax Spas.

The business quickly evolved from a mobile spa to spa suites at various hotels. We offer basic essentials in beauty and spa treatments, including my product range Noli Mini Spa Products. Non-hotel guests can make appointments directly with the spas.

The difficult part of my job

Working in the beauty world means interacting with people from all walks of life, and the therapist can become a kind of counsellor because clients often share their life stories with you. Handling these conversations the right way requires diplomacy and impeccable professionalism.

Why I became an entrepreneur

With time, I became frustrated because I didn’t have the platform or influence to implement my ideas. I began doing research and identified a gap in the mobile spa market: It seemed very informal and I went on a quest to build a credible recognised mobile spa brand. I also realised that clients came from other hotels because there were no spa facilities where they were staying.

I resigned and went from hotel to hotel, leaving brochures and networking. My first personal client was a referral from a friend and my first hotel client was the Sun Grandwest Hotel.

I attended a lot of networking events and met the marketing manager of

“The therapist can become a kind of counsellor, because clients often share their life stories with you.”

Protea Hotel by Marriott North Wharf, who introduced me to the general manager who was interested in my services since they didn’t have any spa facilities.

It took three years, but now we’re at other branches of Protea Hotels by Marriott and at The President Hotel in Cape Town.

Tips for getting into the beauty industry

It’s an amazing industry with lots of opportunities for people with a real love for it. It’s growing at a fast pace and there are constantly new innovations. Interested in becoming a beauty therapist? Check out these schools for more info. The International Academy of Health and Skincare internationalacademy.co.za Sorbet Beauty Therapy Institute beautytherapyinstitute.co.za Placecol/dream Nails Imbalie Training Academy imbaliebeauty.co.za Camelot International Health and Skincare Education camelotint.co.za Valerie Teubes Beauty Academy 083 416 9842