In Harare’s Avenues area, a growing beauty studio is demonstrating how small businesses can evolve from informal beginnings into structured enterprises that create employment and skills opportunities in Zimbabwe’s expanding beauty industry.

Founded in September 2019 by entrepreneur Sharon Tapera, Ghettofab Beauty Bar began as a small informal operation in Glenview 1 before developing into a professional beauty studio that now serves clients in Harare and distributes beauty products to technicians across Zimbabwe.

Tapera said the business was born during her time working pamusika, where she began offering beauty services while gradually building experience and a loyal customer base.

“Starting pamusika and growing into a beauty brand has shown me that women can build businesses from small beginnings and create opportunities for others,” she said.

The entrepreneur explained that operating informally allowed her to better understand the beauty market while building trust with clients.

“During that stage, I was providing beauty services while gradually building a loyal client base,” she said.

As demand for her services increased, the business transitioned from informal work into a physical studio and later relocated to the Avenues area, where operations continue to expand.

Tapera said the brand name reflects the journey behind the business.

“‘Ghetto’ represents my roots and the communities where the journey began, while ‘fab’ represents beauty, confidence and professionalism,” she said.

“The brand was created to show that a beauty business can grow from humble beginnings and still deliver high-quality services.”

Today the studio offers a wide range of beauty services, including lash and brow treatments, semi-permanent makeup procedures such as lip blush and ombre brows, facials, waxing and piercings.

Tapera said expanding beyond services was an important step in strengthening the business.

“The business now distributes beauty supplies to technicians across Harare and other cities and towns in Zimbabwe,” she said.

In addition to providing services and product distribution, the studio also offers training and mentorship for upcoming technicians entering the beauty industry.

“Beyond providing services, the business supports the growth of other women in the beauty industry through skills development and access to professional beauty supplies,” Tapera said.

Many of the trainees are women seeking to establish their own beauty ventures or expand their professional skills.

Tapera acknowledged that the journey has not been without challenges, particularly during the early stages of the business.

“One of the main barriers was limited startup capital, which made it difficult to purchase equipment and maintain inventory in the early stages,” she said.

She added that building trust and visibility in a competitive beauty market also required persistence and consistency.

“Another challenge was building trust and visibility in a competitive beauty industry,” she said.

According to Tapera, the business gradually overcame these obstacles through service quality, referrals and reinvestment.

“We focused on consistency in service quality, building a loyal client base through referrals and social media, and reinvesting profits into equipment and stock,” she said.

“Expanding into beauty supply distribution and training also helped transform the business from a small startup into a growing beauty brand.”

Operationally, the studio runs with a lean team led by Tapera, who personally performs most beauty procedures while also managing product sourcing, training technicians and overseeing daily operations.

The business also employs a front-desk staff member responsible for welcoming clients, managing appointments and assisting customers purchasing beauty products.

“My role is to receive clients and assist customers buying products,” the staff member said.

“It’s rewarding to be part of a growing beauty business and to interact with clients every day.”

Since its establishment in 2019, the enterprise has grown into a small to mid-scale beauty business supporting both direct and indirect livelihoods within the sector.

From an informal start in Glenview to a recognised beauty brand in Harare, Tapera said the journey demonstrates that persistence and community support can transform small ideas into sustainable businesses.

“Starting pamusika and growing into a beauty brand has shown me that women can build businesses from small beginnings and create opportunities for others,” she said.