Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Candice is an inspiration to other stylists, a living example that what you believe, you can achieve.
As a child, Candice struggled in school, especially during a time when schools didn’t know how to accommodate children with ADHD. Each time she faced difficulties, she was transferred to a different school. Eventually, she left school at the age of 13. To support herself, she took a job as a teller at SPAR during the day.
But Candice had a plan. She dreamt of studying hairdressing and becoming a hairstylist, but there was no money to pay the deposit for college. Determined, she took on three jobs to save up: during the day, she worked in the canteen of the very college she wanted to attend, washing floors and prepping food. At night, she worked as a runner and cleaned tables at Milano’s restaurant, and on weekends, she cared for children at Kidz Kazoo.
Three months after saving enough for the deposit, Candice enrolled in college. Shortly after, she was invited for an interview at Headgames in Comaro Crossing and began working there just 20 days before her 15th birthday. This opportunity allowed her to focus on her apprenticeship and trade test, and she remained with Headgames for 10 years.
Throughout it all, Candice never gave up on her dream of becoming a successful hairstylist. “I was so obsessed with hair from a very young age,” she recalls. Scissors seemed to fit perfectly in her hands, even as a child.
Candice’s rock and biggest supporter throughout her journey has been Gareth, whom she’s known since Grade 1. They married when she was 21, and she fondly says, “He’s my best friend.” The couple has now been together for 22 years.
Candice has always had a nurturing nature. From the age of 9, she helped care for her younger brothers, cleaning and cooking to support her mother, who was a single parent and the sole breadwinner. At 14, she became a part of her stepdaughter Hope’s life, and Dré, her 16-year-old son, was later diagnosed with autism and sensory processing disorder. Dré has been a joy and a blessing in their lives, and they were also blessed to adopt Jenna when she was an infant.
Now, with 26 years of experience in the industry, Candice is the proud owner of A Cut Above in Glenanda. Her salon currently has four stylists and two operators. They offer a range of services, including a treatment room, nail bar, and lash bar, to provide clients with a holistic experience.
“Running a business isn’t for everyone,” Candice says. “There’s so much more to running a salon than just doing hair. It can be very stressful. You need to understand the administration side of things. I believe stylists should take a course in business administration before opening a salon, or hire qualified people to handle it for you.”
For Candice, the biggest reward of owning a salon is living her passion every day. “We get to make people beautiful. What could be better than that? It’s emotional, spiritual, and physical.”
She also enjoys having the decision-making power. “I get to choose which color lines we use and which products we stock,” she says, allowing her to maintain control over the quality of services provided.
Candice points out that one of the biggest challenges in the industry is price wars. “Stylists compromise quality for quantity, using inferior products to offer cheaper services, which can compromise the integrity of the hair.”
Candice first heard about Nebeau from one of her clients and met them at the Hair & Beauty Expo at Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg, in 2014. Since then, she has been a loyal customer. “The first time I tried the Inebrya color, I was amazed. It was brilliant!” She uses all three Inebrya color ranges, depending on the client’s needs, but admits, “Inebrya is my favorite! It gives the best coverage.”
She also stocks a variety of bleaches. “The bleach we use depends on the specific needs of the client in the chair.”
In addition, the salon uses the Onlys smoothing system. “We made the decision to go non-toxic, so since introducing Onlys, we no longer use any products containing formaldehyde. We love Onlys because it allows clients to embrace their curls without frizz, or go smooth with added heat.”
Candice’s favorite retail range is the Keratin range, and her favorite styling product is the Style-IN Thermo Spray. “I use it on all my clients. I apply it before styling and post-styling as an anti-frizz and illuminating spray.”
