The lipstick effect drives the franchise beauty industry
Based on the theory that in hard times consumers will still buy luxury goods even if there is a crisis, the lipstick effect sees women, for example, instead of buying expensive treatments or clothes, settle for their favourite lipstick or luxury perfume.
Capitalising on that global theory, the Health, Beauty & Body sector in South Africa contributes 6% to the ‘franchise pie’ and with 74% of franchises owned by women, this sector continues to perform well despite the struggling economy.
Of the seventeen franchise sectors in South Africa the Health, Beauty & Body Culture segment is the one that attracts the most women – both as franchisees, employees and as customers.
Franchising holds a special attraction for women in that it provides the necessary safety net that a normal start-up business does not provide and women are particularly good at working within a system. Statistics in the United States indicate that women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and that women’s enterprises outstrip overall business performance in revenue and employment growth.
The sector also goes a long way to provide employment for women from all walks of life through the training they provide and for Imbalie Beauty it means going a step further with their innovative learnership program.
Imbalie Beauty helps young women gain skills
Over the course of 2018, 1 066 beauty therapists and nail technicians graduated from the Imbalie Beauty Training Academy, and went on to careers within the franchise network. Their training facilities are used to equip many young women in their gap year with new skills in the areas of skin care, gel and acrylic nails, waxing, massages, eye lash extensions, pedicures and manicures, by offering ad hoc training programs throughout the year.
This skills journey will be elevated to new levels in 2019 as Imbalie Beauty formally introduce their learnership program. Through the Imbalie Beauty Learnership, 10 post-Matric students are eligible to receive beauty skills training every month, at no charge. These young ladies will be selected each month through an interview process.
“It is our mission to make a positive change in the world and to improve, empower and increase the esteem of all women”, says Lisa Leibov, Principal of the Imbalie Beauty Training Academy. Our goal is to pay it forward to 100 individuals during the course of 2019.
”My life has changed for the better,” says Lina Mbhele, one of the lucky ladies to qualify to do the course. “I’d wished to become a beautician and now my dream will come true.”
Although limited places are available, if you are a female, and have completed your Matric, are well-presented and believe that you are suited to the beauty industry, contact elizma@imbalietrainingacademy.co.za or call Toll Free on 0861 11 22 22 to attend their interview process, and you may be eligible for a placement in the Imbalie Beauty Learnership during your gap year.
Visit Imbalie Beauty Training Academy if you are interested in redirecting your career to beauty. Placecol, Dream Nails, Perfect10
To protect, lobby, promote and develop ethical franchising across all sectors in South Africa with specific focus on transformation.
