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How this Beauty Entrepreneur is Helping to Boost Confidence in People Experiencing Hair Loss
- Sonja Bezuidenhout
- Jan 6, 2022
- 2 min read
Owner of the Cape Town-based salon owner, Angie de Wet, started to expand the day-to-day salon concept with free hairpiece development consultations with trained professionals in a safe and private space. The idea sprouted from Angie’s relationships with clients and friends who have undergone chemotherapy and found it challenging to keep the physical symptoms of their diminishing health private.
In South Africa, educational entities and CANSA rely on the National Cancer Registry’s (NCR) statistics. According to the latest report, breast cancer ranked in the top five cancers detected in women with cervical, colorectal, uterine, and lung cancers following suit.
For many cancer patients, chemotherapy can sometimes be more testing for its visible side effects than its systematic impact. After starting treatment, hair loss can result in two to four weeks. Alopecia (medical term for 'hair loss') may be sooner for radiation and targeted therapy patients. Hair loss may be temporary and grow back three to six months after treatment. In most cases, the hair remains thin.
Tosca is the first South African hair and beauty salon group to offer free hairpiece development consultations to anyone experiencing hair loss. Hair loss can be an unmissable factor of a deteriorating immune system. “I realised I had the opportunity to do something beyond my day-to-day career and provide a safe and inviting space for cancer patients who sought support specific to their profiles and hair loss,” says Angie. “Whether patients were undergoing treatment, in remission or didn’t even have cancer, extending our usual offering to free private hairpiece development consultations is a drop in the bucket towards creating hope and igniting happiness for anyone experiencing hair loss.”
“I have not had cancer, and it is difficult to relate with friends who have and continue to endure tough times I cannot even begin to imagine,” says Angie. “I cannot speak for them, but if I can show them how strong they are and provide them with the choice to develop a custom hairpiece that can help them feel good about themselves, positively emphasise their assets and boost their confidence, I wouldn't think twice about it.”
After acquiring Tosca, Angie had to think on her feet to shape a viable and long-lasting business model. She started with two salons in 2012 and created numerous permanent jobs, extending the portfolio to six locations across the Western Cape.
“During challenging times, like the CV-19 pandemic or something more specific, it has been a priority to remain transparent with our staff and the people around us,” adds Angie. “It enabled us to grow beyond our means, and see things we were not able to note before. I wanted to do more than just what the industry sets out to do.”
Celebrating the eve of its 50th anniversary, the group is looking to expand its Western Cape portfolio, especially salons kitted with private hairpiece development consultation rooms. Angie will aptly benchmark her ten-year ownership in 2022.
Currently, hairpiece development consultations are offered at the Table Bay Mall location (Shop G352).
Book with one of Tosca Hair and Beauty Salon’s trained professionals.
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