Entrepreneur Mbali Ntuli marks seven years of empowering women through hair care

_{In the spirit of Women’s Month, entrepreneur Mbali Ntuli is celebrating a major milestone, seven years in business, marking a journey defined by resilience and a passion for empowering women through beauty.}

_{Ntuli, who left a stable corporate career in search of something more fulfilling, founded Milani Hair Studio, a luxury salon specialising in African hair care.}

_{Over the years, her brand has become a trusted favourite among professional women, offering a space that blends comfort, quality, and a modern lifestyle.}

_{“I wanted to create a space for women like me,” Ntuli told Saturday Star.}

_{“In corporate, I couldn’t just drive to town or sit under a tree doing my hair. I didn’t have the luxury of being away from my laptop during the week. I wanted to serve that young, modern working woman who values comfort and quality service.”}

_{While she had no formal experience in the hair industry, Ntuli says she leaned on her insight as a customer and immersed herself in learning the trade, from hiring the right staff to understanding the nuances of ethnic hair design.}

_{“Firstly, I was starting something that I was not an expert in, but I knew that I was a customer. I started something that is a need, so I had to learn a lot about the hair industry. I had to learn a lot about hiring the right staff. And fortunately, I got the best. We had ups and downs with other people that did not last because they happened. But the staff that I have been so blessed with has helped me.”}

_{She also shares that her journey was not without challenges. Just two years after opening, COVID-19 forced salons to close. Ntuli admits she was ready to shut down permanently until a family member convinced her to give it one more try.}

_{"Remember Covid came, and I thought to myself, 'Well, I need to close because why would I stay open? It's never going to get better. But I think COVID was a turning point for our business. Our business was only 2 years old. We had to close during that time. And I remember when the president said the salons could open, I had already made up my mind that I would not be opening, but an aunt of mine said, 'Let's give it one more shot.' And I promise you that was a turning point because we started being fully booked all the time. After all, now people were working from home.”}

_{In 2025, Ntuli expanded her vision with the launch of the Milani Training Academy for Ethnic Hair Design, aimed at equipping unemployed young women with practical, income-generating skills.}

_{“I’ve seen how working here has transformed my staff’s lives,” she said. “Not everyone can afford a three-year degree. But with the right training, you can change your life and your family’s.”}

_{For Ntuli, women’s empowerment is more than a business value; it’s a societal necessity.}

_{“When you empower a girl child, you empower a family. Women make a way, no matter the circumstances. They stretch money, feed households, and send children to school. It’s vital to give them opportunities to thrive.”}

_{anita.nkonki@inl.co.za}

_{Saturday Star}