Shalini Sivlal, co-director of Shanique Beauty Beautique opened the salon in a two-bedroom house in Brooklyn last month.
How did your business start?
My business partner, Sonika van der Walt, and I have a love for fashion, beauty and wellness, so we opened Shanique Beauty Beautique to bring this experience to people with a love for beauty who want to enjoy international products. We want to rejuvenate customers with treatments such as body massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and want men to enjoy our male grooming range.
Why did you choose this area to set up shop?
Brooklyn is the hub of Pretoria East, with corporate companies, embassies, the Brooklyn Mall – one of the best shopping malls in Gauteng – and is close to the University of Pretoria, so many students visit the area daily.
How did you find your premises?
We found the salon on PrivateProperty.co.za in mid-August and contacted the agent the following week for a viewing. We immediately fell in love with the house when we saw it and next day paid our deposit and got ready to move in.
Why are the premises ideally suited to your business?
The property is spacious, airy and fairly modern with a large reception area. There’s a lovely garden in front with a water feature and an inviting entrance lined with fresh lavender plants. The rooms have downlighting, there’s a kitchen with walk-in pantry and bathroom with a shower for clients. The property includes a deck, ideal for massages, and a neat garden where coffee and sparkling wine is served. Behind the property is a car park we share with neighbours, which is great for privacy.
What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area?
Rental is R6,500/month excluding lights and water.
Do you have any expansion plans?
We won’t be expanding in this house as our future plan is to move to larger premises.
Do you operate online as well?
We do via our website with pick-up and delivery of products. Customers can reserve products and pick them up at the salon or products are delivered to the customer’s door within three days.
What’s your most popular service?
Favourite services include nails, massages, facials and our On the Go package, Halfway to Shalini’s Heaven package, Sonika’s Pamper package and Six Signature Men’s Facial package.
012 751 5848 / 081 810 9051
Words & images: Lisa Dewberry
