The 3 companies selected in L’Oreal x She Leads Africa’s latest cohort are some of the most brilliant companies operating out of the continent today. With a chance for mentorship, knowledge and networking opportunities for these start-ups, we can’t wait to see how far they go. BN Style had a quick chat with all three winners. Read our interview with Daisy Adul , founder of Uneeq Salon Software.
BNS: Tell us about your brand
We are Kenya’s first software company helping entrepreneurs within the beauty and wellness industry manage and grow their businesses with convenience through our cloud based business
solutions.
BNS: What’s your best selling product?
Uneeq salon software for salon owners and technicians
BNS: What’s your educational background?
I am a graduate with a degree in Business Administration and Communications.
BNS: What’s been your biggest challenge so far?
Learning how to value my business.
BNS: What has been the biggest highlight of your career?
I have worked in the logistics industry for over a decade and transitioning from that industry to beauty in Tech has by far been the biggest highlight of my career. Simply because it proves not only to myself but people around me as well that you do not have to have a tech background in order to startup a business in tech. All you need to do it learn everything you need to about the innovation your introducing. What problems will it be solving and how to be the best at
solving this. And obviously winning the 2018 Dark and Lovely/She Leads Africa Beauty Accelerator.
BNS: Any plans to diversify into other categories or other regions on the continent ?
Being the first cloud based salon software in the Kenyan market isn’t enough, our vision is to grow into other markets across Africa starting with countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa and rest of Africa .We are also working on introducing Uneeq App into the market in the months to come.
BNS: What’s the earliest accomplishment you had in business that inspired you to keep
going?
This would be a roadblock that turned out to be not only a great opportunity but also created strategic partnership for Uneeq. When we started off we did not consider some salons/spas/barber shops would not be having computers and Uneeq is not a mobile based application. So obviously we were unable to reach as many customers as we intended to. With this challenge came a great opportunity where we partnered with a Tech company that supplies us with tablets that we later provide to our customers at a higher premium.This definitely gave me confidence in what I was doing and assurance that with all challenges ahead there is always a way.
BNS: Who is your favourite African style icon?
Lupita Nyong’o for sure. Not only because of her astonishing sense of style, career wins, or being named by People’s magazine (2014) as most beautiful person in the world but because she brings a lot more to the table.
BNS: What advice would you give a new business owner/entrepreneur?
Start!!! We have all heard this enough times but i can attest to it. Once you get started, doesn’t matter how small, things will somehow start falling into place. Keep learning, about your industry, competitors and most importantly who do you need to get you to the nest level. Strategic partnerships, mentorships are very essential for not just growth of the business but also self development.