MARY’s chic salon has found a new home located at the classical old Chengs building area at Ranadi, just opposite the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) School of Marine.
Salon owner Mary Kevare brings a wealth of experience in the hair and beauty industry and an overwhelming desire to get into running her own business was from her passion and dream.
“To become a hair dresser and to own a hair salon was my dream and I have worked hard to achieve this goal. Starting off with this business was not an easy task.
“There were challenges that I came across when starting off with this business, facing shortage with finance to begin the business, rental issues and also as years went by there were a few number of the same type of businesses in town to compete with
“Even though I experienced these challenges, I have struggled a lot to get the business up and running and also to maintain my customers,” she told Solomon Women Newspaper.
Mary’s hair salon is one of the smallest businesses in Honiara. She ventured into the business before the Solomon Islands ethnic conflict in the early 2000.
The hair salon provides various services such as haircut, hair perm, hair colouring and other traditional and modern hairstyle dressing trends with a difference. Mary also does mobile services by going over to her clients instead of them coming to her. The hair salon opens for businesses on Mondays to Sundays.
The 42 year-old from Guadalcanal said she is planning to move into a much bigger room space that will suit well her customers. It’s essential that our customers look and feel beautiful.
She said her business has benefited her and her family a lot.
“One good thing I see about my business is that it has helped my family. For example I have help to show them the talent [knowledge and skills] that I have in hairdressing. Therefore, I am looking forward to work closely with the young girls in my family especially to share with them my knowledge and skills,” Mary expressed.
She opted to remind other women in the country to possess a strong mind-set in setting up their own business to help themselves and their family.
“It is best for us women and girls to keep ourselves engaged in doing small business activities that might help us earn a form of income to help us and our family. I want to say to all women that, Business does not mean that you have to own a big company or to earn money in bigger ways.
“What we need to do is to use our talents and skills to be creative and do little things to at least earn something per day.
“All you need to do is have a strong mind and vision to focus on succeeding on what you aim for. In order to achieve your dream, you have to stand strong, whenever you face any hardships and you will overcome it,” she said.
