Linda-Mari’s journey from Bloemfontein to Jeffreys Bay has been a story of growth, change, and reinvention. She moved to Jeffreys Bay four years ago after living in Jan Kempdorp, and during this transition, she found her passion in the beauty industry. “I was in a different job industry where we lived in Jan Kempdorp, and when I moved to Jeffreys, I eventually got into the beauty industry,” she recalls.
From Hotel Management to Photography
Before diving into beauty, Linda studied hotel management. “Well, I studied hotel management, and then things just happened after I got married, and I moved into the photography industry.” She has been a photographer for 14 years, and her love for capturing moments only grew as she added makeup and hairstyling skills to her repertoire. “During my journey of being a photographer, I did a makeup course so I can do makeup for the photos. I did a hair upstyle workshop so I can play around with people’s hair during photoshoots.”
Her creativity didn’t stop there. “I just got the feeling I wanted to do nails, and I did a nail course,” she explains. That step led her to pursue further beauty courses and treatments, eventually becoming her Jeffreys Bay business. “Over the past three years, I did more online courses and expanded my beauty business, knowledge, and treatments.”
The Spark Behind Her Entrepreneurial Spirit
When asked what drives her entrepreneurial spirit, Linda laughs, “I don’t know! One day I wake up and decide, oh, I want to do that; it sounds like fun, and then I do it.” This playful yet determined attitude has been key to her success. She follows her intuition and embraces new opportunities with excitement. This mindset has allowed her to thrive as a business owner.
Inspiration Behind the Name: Pretty Pamper
Choosing a name for her business was a unique journey. “I always like to have a unique name. I don’t want to use my personal name for a brand name,” she says. Her first choice for a name was already taken, so she did what many entrepreneurs do, she turned to the internet. “I just got to ‘pretty’ because I want to pamper people and make them pretty. So I guess that’s how I got the name Pretty Pamper.”
An Adventurous Business Journey
Reflecting on her business journey, Linda calls it “adventurous.” In just three years, she has seen tremendous growth. “If I look back over the three years, I quickly grew. I’m still growing because my business still needs more clients.” Despite the ups and downs, Linda’s business has steadily expanded, and she is already thinking about what’s next. “I’m busy thinking of how to up my game a bit. But I say it has been good. Everything just fell into place. Everything happened at the right moment.”
From working out of a rented table in a beauty salon to eventually securing her own space in town, Linda’s story is a testament to perseverance. “After a month of being settled in my first shop, the lady notified me she was closing down. I had to quickly find another place to rent,” she shares. Now, after moving into a different space, Linda is once again looking for a larger space to accommodate her growing list of treatments and equipment.
Marketing and Growth Strategies
Linda’s marketing approach has been mostly digital. “I advertise a lot on Facebook.. I post on Instagram, and it automatically goes to Facebook.” She has found that sharing her posts in local groups helps spread the word, but she is also working on a more structured social media marketing plan. “I’m working on creating more content, not just specials, but also about me, my business, and my treatments.” Linda emphasizes the importance of visual content in her industry. “With my industry, seeing is believing. You want to see the results, whether it’s nails or facials, before you commit to a treatment.”
Balancing Business and Life
Linda’s life is not just about business; she’s also a wife and a pet mom. “I try to stick to my hours. Sometimes I work overtime, but my husband understands,” she says. Linda has learned to prioritize balance in her life. “With my photography business, I used to work until 10 or 11 in the evenings, and then I just decided it couldn’t go on like that. My husband and I never got time together.” Now, she is more intentional about spending quality time with her husband and enjoys all that Jeffreys Bay has to offer.
Faith: A Guiding Light
When asked about the values that have carried her through life and business, Linda speaks with conviction. “Definitely my faith. I believe everything comes from my Heavenly Father. Nothing happened because of myself. I gave my business into His hands, and He’s guiding it. I’m just following.” Linda’s faith keeps her grounded and focused. “I’m not rich, but I survive. I’m having fun while surviving, and I’m enjoying it.” Her gratitude for the journey so far is clear, and she’s excited to see where it will take her. “A lot of people say it takes five years to build a business. My business is paying its own expenses. I know there’s still room for improvement and growth, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Personal Branding as an Entrepreneur
Linda sees herself and her business as intertwined. “Without me, Pretty Pamper wouldn’t be there,” she says. That’s why she’s working on overcoming her discomfort with being on video to create more personal content. “I’d like people to see me and my brand together. If they see me, they see my brand. If they see my brand, they see me.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Linda offers simple but profound advice to those looking to enter the beauty industry: “Go for it. Start small and work yourself up. Don’t expect to begin big.” She believes every journey step is essential for learning and growth. “You can’t start at the top of the ladder and expect to go up. Start from the bottom, learn all the curves, and enjoy the climb.” Linda’s enthusiasm for her future is infectious. “I’m excited to see what the rest of the year holds. Is it going to hold or fold? If it folds, what’s next?” Her curiosity and love for new experiences keep her moving forward, ready for whatever comes her way.
A Journey to Keep an Eye On
Linda-Mari’s story is of faith, perseverance, and excitement for the future. She has embraced every step of her journey from photography to beauty treatments with open arms. Through her entrepreneurial spirit, creative thinking, and unshakable belief in the power of starting small, Linda has built a business she loves that is only continuing to grow.
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