Securing her future one hairdo at a time

Ndahafa Shapaka grew up in Windhoek, where she went to primary school, high school and university. She holds an honours degree in marketing from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and is currently completing a master's degree in management strategy at the University of Namibia (Unam).



The journey

“From as early as I could remember, I found joy in making people look good. In primary school, I was known as the neighbourhood hairdresser,” Shapaka said. Neighbours would bring their children to her to have their hair braided. In 2014, she began teaching hairdressing and wig manufacturing seminars to young women who wanted to improve their abilities and start their own businesses. She ran these classes for five years, until Covid-19 hit the world.

Shapaka is the CEO of Splash Beauty Salon and said it is a really rewarding and profound feeling to know that all the hours she has put into her business have been and continue to be worthwhile. Her job also comes with a lot of responsibility, she said.

“As CEO, you are accountable for the success of the firm, which means that every move I make must be carefully considered because it is not just about me, but the lives of my employees.”

Shapaka explained that she has been an employee since she graduated from university, and the change from being an employee to being a full-time business owner was difficult.

“I felt a lot of uncertainty at the beginning and I was anxious most of the time. Fortunately for me, I have a very supportive partner who encouraged me at every hurdle,” she said.

A typical day at work begins with a brief morning meeting with the manager to discuss the day's appointments. They then do stocktaking to ensure that they have all of the necessary equipment and merchandise on hand.

“The rest of my day is spent on spreadsheets and phone calls with artists and suppliers.”



Achievements and difficulties

Since its inception, the business has grown significantly, and Shapaka said she has invested in developing a distinctive brand that is focused on professionalism and client satisfaction. However, there were certain difficulties, such as acquiring and integrating the correct personnel into the organisation, delegating some responsibility to management, and stock control.

“I am extremely proud of my team and their commitment towards the business. Without them, there is no Splash Beauty Salon,” she said.

Looking to the future

Splash Beauty Salon aspires to be a household name in Namibia's beauty business, with a few branches throughout the country. Shapaka emphasised that they intend to make salon services more accessible by recruiting new industry suppliers to reduce product costs.

Her advice to young individuals who wish to enter the entrepreneurial field is that having a business plan is essential since failing to plan is planning to fail. “Investigate the industry you intend to enter and consider how you will differentiate yourself.”

She said if she wasn’t in the beauty business, she would own an advertising firm focusing on the marketing of small and medium-sized enterprises.

She added that her dreams are big, and that she’s working on commercialising her own brand of nail and hair products as well as offering franchise options.



Facts about Ndahafa Shapaka:

I am a wife and a mother of two.

I am fluent in English, Oshiwambo and Afrikaans.

I worked at Sanlam, an advertising agency and MultiChoice.

I went to Ella Du Plessis High School.

I am the second-born of six kids.

I have only been to three other countries.

I have a very small circle of friends.

I love the colours red and emerald green.

I am slow to anger.

I am an introverted extrovert.

My interests include Marvel movies, romantic novels and going to the gym. I am motivated by strong black women who have overcome adversity. If I could give my younger self any advice, I would tell her that the people you surround yourself with have an impact on the path your life takes.

My favourite childhood memory is the camaraderie and fun I had during the eight- to nine-hour family trips to the north every holiday.



Shapaka emphasised that when establishing a business, never underestimate the importance of patience because not every day will be a wonderful day. “Anything great takes time, so don't be too fast to remove funds from your fledgling firm.”