Written by Dane Frost Setting the Scene: A Story Many Salon/Spa Owners Know Picture this: It is a busy Saturday morning at your establishment. The receptionist pulls you aside and quietly tells you that one of your hairdressers seems “off” today - their speech is a little slurred, their movements slightly unsteady, and there is a faint smell of alcohol. They have two clients booked back-to-back, one of whom is here for a full bleach and colour treatment. What do you do? This

Written by Melissa Eales In the hair and beauty industry, technical skill will always be essential. Precision cutting, advanced colour techniques, skin knowledge, and product expertise form the backbone of professional credibility. However, in a client-facing industry such as ours, emotional intelligence (EQ) is often the true differentiator between a one-off appointment and a long-term, loyal client relationship. Emotional intelligence is not simply a buzzword or a “soft ski

Written by Siphesihle Mthombeni In the hairdressing, cosmetology, beauty, and skincare industry, work is deeply personal. You spend long hours together, share clients, help each other when things get busy, and sometimes even become friends. That is why things can feel awkward when one day you are working side by side, and the next day, you are the one in charge. Maybe you used to laugh together in the staff room, swap shifts, or complain about difficult clients. Now you must

Written by Jana Ferreira Employers must recognise that technical excellence alone does not make effective leaders. Being the best stylist, therapist, or technician in a salon, spa, or skincare clinic does not automatically mean someone is ready to guide people, manage conflict, or grow a business. Leadership identity is a different skill set, one that requires empathy, communication, and vision. For business owners themselves, this means reflecting on their own leadership min

Written by Carina Goncalves Leadership Identity & The Business Owner Mindset Shifting from being a hands-on beauty and hairdressing practitioner to becoming a business owner is one of the most challenging and transformative experiences in a professional’s career. Many salon owners, lash artists, nail technicians, barbers, and skincare specialists begin their journey by perfecting their craft. They build loyal client bases, master service delivery, and earn reputations through

In our fast-evolving hair and beauty industry, one truth is becoming impossible to ignore: your team is your brand. From the first client consultation to the last retail add-on, every service experience is shaped by the people behind the chair. When your staff feel valued, supported and aligned with the salon/spa’s purpose, you do more than improve morale, you unlock performance, loyalty and long-term profitability. This is why many salon/spa owners are shifting from traditio

The Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Beauty industry, amidst its creative and service driven flair, has a complex framework of legislative compliance requirements that business owners and employers must expertly navigate. Recent legislative updates and the extension of the industry collective and agency shop agreements until 30 April 2026 have ensured and safeguarded compliance enforcement and industry standardisation. This article examines the latest regulatory developments, cu

In the hairdressing and beauty industry, technical skill alone no longer guarantees business success. Salon owners, spa managers, and cosmetology professionals operate in an environment built on personal relationships, close-knit teams, and client trust where emotional intelligence has become as essential as technical expertise. Emotional intelligence is our ability to identify and manage our own emotions whilst recognising others' emotions and responding effectively. In an i

In a landmark ruling that reshapes South African labour law, the Constitutional Court has declared the country’s parental leave framework unconstitutional for discriminating against fathers, adoptive parents, and commissioning parents. The judgment, handed down in Van Wyk and Others v Minister of Employment and Labour and Others, affirms the right of all parents to equal leave, regardless of gender or the nature of their parenthood. The case originated in the Gauteng High Cou