New salon on the block

Belinda Franken grew up in the small town of Vryheid, on a farm, riding her horse, playing in the vegetable garden and chasing geese with her sister Caroline. But behind Belinda’s ‘small town girl’ image and beautiful smile, is a woman of talent and great ambition.

By Danielle Sheedy

Belinda has a passion for hair, which has driven her to success, and now she has her own business in Bothas Hill – Million Hair.

“My father always taught us to be independent. He suggested that I start a trade in the beauty industry and eventually open a salon where I had the opportunity of working flexible hours at my own rate.”

Hair only started to appeal to Belinda in her senior college years and apprenticeship, where she was allowed to become more creative, participate in competitions and express her ideas. And this is where it all began…

“I loved being a part of changing people’s lives and watching faces light up at the end of a restyle. It is the most rewarding feeling!”

She spent five years at Entropy Hair Salon in Hillcrest Corner, Hillcrest, where she was always in demand, but after being there for quite some time, she felt that it was time for a personal “restyle”.

“I left Entropy on a good note, I had a great time there with great people and learned so much, but I felt the need to move along, I needed a change,” so she decided to jet off to Switzerland where her sister, Caroline, also a stylist, lived with her husband.

Her plan was to take a long break, travel Europe and work with her sister at her salon to support her little adventure. When she arrived in Zurich, her sister had her December rush all lined up, and needed her help. Although Belinda was only in Switzerland for three months, she has developed her own personal clientele over there, who have requested that she styles their hair when she’s in Switzerland next, which will be just before Christmas this year.

So what drove Belinda to branch out and open her own salon?

“I was inspired by the pride I saw on Caroline’s face after a 12 or 13-hour day, no matter how late the last client was, or how many times they spoke about the weather, or how much they need your undivided attention, none of that mattered because it’s all hers.” And so Belinda returned to South Africa to start up her own salon.

It is just Belinda and her partner Leonie Van Der Watt, also a very talented hair stylist, who work in the salon but she loves it because she has developed a small, intimate business where she can have a personal relationship with her clients, which is what she’s always wanted.

“It’s still early days for me and Million Hair but I can already see the reward and growth. It’s this next step that I had the privilege of seeing before I made the move, I’m very pleased. I have reached my goals for now but in the future I hope to be able to open a salon with my sister.”

Visit Million Hair at Shop 10, Lifestyle Centre, 1 Botha Road, Botha’s Hill or call 031 765 7440