Nothando MaDlamini, the owner of NM Beauty Bar at the Sunninghill Square shopping hub, recently shared her inspirational journey, highlighting her deep-rooted passion for beauty, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to exceptional customer care.
Originally from Durban, where she spent the first half of her life, Nothando grew up in a close-knit family of five, as the firstborn child. Her natural talent for beauty services emerged early on: She recalls braiding her friends’ hair during her high school weekends, and perfecting nail designs without any formal training. This innate gift, which she believes may run in the family, has even sparked an interest in her seven-year-old daughter, who’s already showing similar skills.
After building experience as an ambassador for various beauty brands and salons in Durban, Nothando recognised her ability to attract and retain clients. “I saw the money I was making for them by bringing in clients,” she explained. “I was already known as ‘the beauty expert’. So I thought, ‘Why not do my own thing? There’s nothing to lose.’” It was this realisation that led her to relocate to Johannesburg in 2019, to pursue her dream of business ownership. She opened NM Beauty Bar, a welcoming nail and hair salon specialising in services such as manicures, pedicures, braiding, wig installations, and more.
At the heart of NM Beauty Bar’s success is its philosophy: Make every client feel at home. “We want our clients to feel as though they’re visiting family members in the beauty business,” Nothando shared. This warm approach has proven highly effective, encouraging repeat visits and fostering a fierce loyalty. The team remains flexible and open to learning, often accommodating special requests even if they aren’t on the standard price list. That way, the team delivers personalised experiences that exceed expectations.
But the path to building a thriving business wasn’t without hurdles. Early challenges centered on staffing. Finding team members who truly understood and respected her vision, proved difficult. “If they aren’t aligned with my thinking, everyone just does their own thing, and we clash,” she noted. After trial and error, Nothando assembled what she describes as “one of the best teams ever”. Part of her strategy was to prioritise hiring staff members who are in their mid-30s and beyond, as she believes they bring stability and professionalism, borne of their family responsibilities.
What Nothando finds most rewarding is the organic growth of her business through word-of-mouth. “The referrals; people recommending us to others; talking about our brand. People I don’t even know are posting on social media about us,” she enthused. These genuine endorsements affirm the salon’s impact, and fuel her ongoing dedication.
Located on the 3rd Floor of The Square Shopping Centre in Sunninghill (contact: 073 392 7331), NM Beauty Bar welcomes walk-ins and bookings during their operating hours of 9am to 5pm. Under Nothando’s leadership, it continues to thrive as a go-to destination for beauty services delivered with genuine warmth and expertise.
