UCT students create app for appointments
As personal care services, including hair and nail salons, are starting to pick up after the easing of the Covid-19 lockdown, four University of Cape Town students have developed an app to assist with the taking of bookings and the reduction of queues.
Fleeker allows users to schedule appointments with hairstylists, barbers, make-up artists and nail technicians, and manage long in-salon queues to meet physical distancing regulations.
Co-founder Asonele Gevenga said the app was created in 2018 and had been refined since March to ensure stylists and beauty therapists were able to generate an income once lockdown restrictions were eased and the sector reopened.
“I spent a lot of time in queues at my barber shop and it made me think of ways to improve and streamline this system, just to make it more convenient for customers,” Gevenga said.
He said the app was just what the personal care industry needed, particularly in coronavirus hotspots such as the Western Cape and Gauteng.
Social distancing, limited customer numbers and strict hygiene protocols mean trips to the barber, hair salon and beauty spa are very different under “advanced” level 3 of the lockdown.
Fleeker requires stylists to register online by completing a registration form.
“While there’s no upfront cost involved, 10% of every successful booking goes to Fleeker,” Gevenga said.
“Once stylists have signed up, the platform’s locationsharing functionality ensures that potential clients can select a therapist close to them.”
Gevenga said the system’s improvements would benefit stylists and their clients, including an option for a stylist to go to a client’s home, eliminating the risks of being infected in a crowded salon.
“This means the stylist will have more control over the health and safety measures they have in place, like sanitising, because it’s a one-on-one service,” he said.
“As part of our mission to improve, while adhering to strict health guidelines during this pandemic, and still accommodating our customers [stylists] and their customers, we had to make some changes.”
The app lists a range of businesses and offers a cashless payment system.
A built-in feature also enables stylists to track their monthly income, making financial planning a lot easier.
“We’ve received great feedback from our clients, as well their clients, especially during this time.
“This has reinforced our commitment to ensure that all stylists, big and small, have a fighting chance in the market and are able to connect with customers in an efficient way,” Gevenga said.