Shops / Cheltenham Road
Bristol entrepreneur switches from maths to makeovers
A sixth form side hustle has turned into a dream job after lockdown “totally changed” the life of a young entrepreneur.
Zandile Dube has worked in the beauty industry since she was 16 and had considered opening a salon in her retirement.
In the meantime, Zandile, who lives in Fishponds, was set on becoming an actuary, studying maths at degree level at UWE.
is needed now More than ever
Fast forward to today and, having taken what she described as a “huge risk”, 23-year-old Zandile now owns and runs a thriving beauty business built on six years of eyelash expertise.
Listen to Zandile on the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Allure Lash Lounge on Cheltenham Road specialises in eyelash extensions and lifts, facials and brow treatments and is also a training academy that provides courses for those wanting to get into the beauty industry.
The salon has quickly made a name for itself in the industry, having been named one of the top three eyelash salons in the UK by the Hair & Beauty Awards 2021 despite only opening in 2020.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUNkPcFtT44/
The business is decked out with a blue-lit bar which offers tea and coffee at the moment, with cocktails in the pipeline).
Allure Lash Lounge’s Instagrammable interior design, which includes marble flooring and gold furniture, is that of Zandile’s “dream salon” that she hoped for during sixth form.
‘May your coffee be strong and your lashes be long’ – photo by Betty Woolerton
On why she realigned her goals so radically, Zandile told Bristol24/7 it was down to “a combination of lockdown totally changing my life and also seeing the massive growth of the beauty industry”.
Her moment of realisation came when she spotted that her dream premises, and now salon, was empty on Cheltenham Road last year.
“I knew it would be a perfect location for a salon. But I also knew it wouldn’t be available when I want it in ten years time.”
Despite working and insurance and always telling her daughter not to take any risks, it was Zandile’s mum who encouraged her to grab the opportunity with both hands. “My mum was actually the one who told me to do it!”
The move from maths to makeovers took plenty of courage. “I went for it but I was so scared in the beginning. But there’s never a good time. You always feel like you could wait longer and be more prepared.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read more: Make-up artist speaks out about the dangers of trying to conform to certain image of beauty
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