One-stop glamour shop idea looking good
‘Soso’ hopes to take legwork out of being beautiful for busy Bay women
LAST WEEK saw the launch of a one-stop glamour shop in busy Richmond Hill’s Westbourne Road. Sosofab Lifestyle, owned by Walmer township-born Nangamso “Soso” Tobela, welcomes clients with courtesy water and as they wait for their appointment, they can peruse the latest fashions.
“[The] plan was to create a one-stop facility where a client will walk in to have her nails done, but also have an opportunity to buy quality hair extensions, have them professionally done, and on her way out grab a stylish, imported handbag or dress,” Tobela said.
She started her mobile nail tech business in 2008, which later grew to a handbag business, and she sold everything from clothes to hair extensions, shoes and accessories from the boot of a car. “As a woman I am acutely aware of the challenge of having yourself beautified.
“It would take the full day and some driving to go to a salon to have your nails and hair done, and then have to go shopping for that dress or handbag you have been eyeing. Before you know it your Saturday or Sunday is over,” the former Gqebera High School pupil said.
“As mothers, wives and daughters we generally are running short of hours in any given day. My business concept is inspired by all these inconveniences and I was driven to ensure that beautification is not a burdensome experience.”
Although not the first, Sosofab hopes to be the leader in the up-market hair salons, with “only qualified hair stylists and beauty technicians. We do all kinds of hair, there’s a little bit for everyone; extensions and ethnic hair.”
Tobela’s long-term vision is to make a success of Sosofab and replicate the concept elsewhere in South Africa.
“Sosofab already supplies its products to customers in Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Mbombela and Johannesburg. I intended to create a brand that is known for the quality of the goods that we supply.”
Sosofab Lifestyle also offers a mobile hair installation and nail technology service. Johannesburg- or Pretoria-based people can call for stylists to go to a hotel or home with their gadgets and gizmos to do hair and nails.
Future plans for the boutique include broadening their scope to cater for fuller-figured women. “Our customers have recently indicated to us that we should work on stocking more plus-size exclusive style items.
“We are currently working with our suppliers and partners to ensure that our plus-sized customers enjoy the same benefits that are enjoyed by the rest of our customers.
“We are in discussion with local PE designers and want to expand our sizes.”