Tony Mintos, after spending much of his youthful time experimenting with a number of odd jobs, saw his passion for beauty push him to take after his mother's skills back in the days.
"I was raised by a single parent (mother) with two siblings. My mom was a salonist. Now I have a wife and a daughter," said Tony.
"I did a broker job. I was a gambler at some point too. Branded clothes, (mostly T-shirts), operated as a tuk tuk driver and a teacher at a beauty school. This is when I realised I had passion in salon and beauty. I'm glad that it pays my bills and caters for all my expenses," said Tony, smiling with content.
I'm crossing the road towards Minto's beauty hub adjacent to National Library, Mombasa county. Promptly, I manouver through the multiple stalls, mainly dealing with phone accessories on the ground floor. I take the purple-coated steel stairs to the top, to meet the owner of Minto's salon and beauty hub. Blow driers and shampoo jericans are scattered all over as Tony directs his employees who attend to dreadlock clients on a busy Monday morning. We choose a quiet corner and take seats to commence the interview.
Mintos beauty hub offers a wide array of services with most of their clients appreciating the passion Tony puts into his work. They are experts dealing with dreadlocks, artificial locks, braiding, nails, facials, make up and many more. The venture was put up in 2018 but Tony had first came up with the idea two years back, in 2016. The enterprise has now survived the market for one year and few months. And Tony is keeping abreast of technology to reach more clients in 2020.
"I ventured in 2016 February. But officially opened my own salon in 2018. My business has survived the market one year and some months and I thank God for this," said a humble Tony.
The young entrepreneur delved into the beauty industry after extensive research and consultation from his circle of entrepreneur friends. He used passion and his love for the art to endure much of his clients' needs, of which majority are satisfied with services they offer at Minto's beauty hub, if positive social media feedback is anything to go by. His biological mother owned a small salon back in the yesteryears. Tony learnt most of what he required to thrive in a profession that is largely dominated by female entrepreneurs. He highlighted also how men should be appreciative towards their partners, affirming that many women understand their men's hustles regardless of the nature and type of the businesses.
"My mom was and has been my greatest supporter. My wife who is with me through my highs and lows. She is one understanding person. And she tries so much to understand me when it comes to the nature of my job. Equally, I had a mentor who enabled me learn most skills for instance, dreadlock crocheting, dreadlock styling, artificial dreadlocks for beginners and few other beauty skills. Moreover, I could not have reached as far without God. And I thank Him for giving me the talent, passion and everything else," said Tony, as he went to check a client on hair dryer.
At Mintos beauty hub, the services offered cost an arm and a leg. But are definitely worth all that. Artificial dreadlocks could cost at minimum KES. 6,000 and dreadlocks could cost up to KES. 8,000 depending on the hair type. Bulky hair and damaged hair could even cost up to KES. 10,000 depending on the extent of wear and damage.
In a bid to diversify the services at his venture, Tony mintos prioritizes professionalism. Employees prudently employ passion whilst dealing with clients and this guarantees customer satisfaction, while at the same time beating off competition from other enterprises offering the same services.
"We are professional and passionate. We try to understand the needs of each client in order to offer the best in the industry," said Tony.
The business is well located in a busy street, few metres off No Maneno Bazaar at Digo Road, Mombasa. Its establishment faces the busy road, in the second largest city, a few blocks off KFA Mombasa. Most client's will be at lunch break from hefty office work. A time when many hustle into the salon for a quick grooming, styling or dreadlock straightening. This gives Tony quite a good number of customers on a good day. At least 15 customers. This is overwhelming yet neutralized by the heavy staffers base. So he uses all the monies to pay his employees. Furthermore, he gets a little something for himself and his family.
" When the business is good, I get a good number of clients when you judge against the small space I have for now. 15 customers at least, when the business is good," said Tony.
"I do not check my profits on a daily basis but the venture enables me foot my bills and meet my expenses," said a confident Tony.
Like any other business, the daily outcomes might be capable of throwing you off your rocker. Leaving you frustrated and in loss. Challenges are not as much but however little, they are vital in a business dealing with service delivery. Present day customers want an astute end product. This trend pushes internal customers to give more than their best.
Tony explains how meeting clients' demands, might be a headache at times. Also,delays in beauty products render the business' operations stagnant. And with time unaccounted for comes losses. The hair products including cosmetics, shampoo, hair relaxers, hair gel and other hair accessories. They are sourced from Kenya's capital Nairobi and sometimes the merchandise arrives late, inhibiting effecient service provision.
"It is not easy meeting each and every client's expectations. Delays on product supply sometimes pulls as back. We majorly depend on the Nairobian market for all products we use at Minto's Beauty Hub.
He intimated also, that most of his clients are ladies. With few men who often check into his salon for dreadlock straightening, waxing, retouch, extension, dye, thickening and other services per customer desire.
" With artificial locks, you walk out with long "locks". Artificial dreadlocks can be installed on either relaxed or natural hair. The client can undo and return to their natural hair" explained Tony.
On the other hand, it will take about 6 months to lock, and about two years to achieve the length of artificial locks. It can be done on natural hair only, which has very big growth. The only disadvantage with permanent locks is that it is not easy to get back your hair after installation.
Tony used his equities, in starting up the venture which proved worthy a risk. His savings from past jobs also gave him a bonus. At first he realised that he had high demand in form of willing clients but was understaffed. This saw him record low profits.
" In setting up the beauty hub, I merged my savings from previous jobs andq11 some cash I had. I had a lot of clients but would record low profits when I started out. Because I was understaffed," said Tony.
In the near future, he sees Minto's beauty hub and salon expanding its establishment. He looks forward to offering direction to many employees. With him are also plans to get into other beauty related ventures.
Currently, the salon has offered employment opportunities to 15 persons who work at Minto's salon and beauty hub.
Tony opines that remaining relevant despite competition, through creativity is his strategy moving forward. He thinks that currently, more men are taking to such enterprises. And the few have experienced wins and losses associated with salon and beauty investments.
To connect with Tony for any of services offered at Minto's salon and beauty hub, clients directly call the business line +254713768676 or the landline: 0101768676. He capitalised on the digital media as a procedure to reach many customers, through his Facebook page "Minto's Salon and Beauty Hub"
"Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their targets with their eyes closed-Paulo Coelho so said," explained Tony with a giggle, I released him to attend to a client after we had exchanged contacts.
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