“I started small, but I never lost hope”

For many entrepreneurs, success begins with a dream, determination and the courage to start small. This is the story of Mngisi Dlamini, a passionate hairstylist and founder of Liberty Salon, whose journey continues to inspire aspiring business owners across Eswatini.

Dlamini has built a name for herself in the beauty industry through hard work, consistency and a love for making people look and feel beautiful. What started as a small salon business has steadily grown into a trusted brand known for quality hair services and excellent customer care.

Speaking about her business, Dlamini said Liberty Salon was created to provide professional hairstyling services while also creating a welcoming environment where clients feel valued and confident.

Her vision is to see Liberty Salon grow into one of the leading beauty brands in the country, while empowering young people, especially women, to believe in entrepreneurship and self-employment. “Our mission is to provide quality beauty services, maintain professionalism and ensure every client leaves the salon satisfied and confident,” she said.

Like many small business owners, Dlamini’s journey was not easy. She said the business started on a very small scale with limited resources, but through patience, dedication and consistency, it has continued to grow. “I started small, but I never lost hope. Today, the business has grown and continues to attract more clients because of the quality of service we provide,” she said.Liberty Salon offers a variety of hairstyling services including braiding, hair treatment, wigs, relaxing and general hair care services. Dlamini said maintaining positive energy in the salon was important because it creates a healthy working environment for both employees and clients. “I believe in respect, teamwork and encouraging one another. Positive energy helps everyone work better and keeps clients comfortable,” she explained.

Describing her leadership style, she said she considered herself a supportive and understanding leader who values communication and teamwork. “I lead by example and always motivate my team to do their best,” she said. Customer satisfaction remains one of the salon’s top priorities. Dlamini said listening to clients, treating them with respect and delivering quality service were some of the ways she keeps customers happy and loyal.

To aspiring executive directors and entrepreneurs, Dlamini encouraged them to remain patient, focused and willing to work hard despite challenges. “Running a business is not easy. There will be challenges such as financial difficulties, competition and stress, but consistency and discipline are important,” she said.

Although she did not fully imagine herself reaching this point when she first started, she said passion and determination kept pushing her forward.“My driving factor to success is believing in myself, staying focused and wanting to build a better future,” she said. Apart from business, she also values personal growth and learning. She said she enjoys reading motivational and business-related books that help her grow as a leader and entrepreneur.

Through Liberty Salon, Dlamini continues to prove that small beginnings can lead to meaningful success when combined with passion, resilience and dedication.