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Not only is she a beautiful face herself, but a passionate courageous entrepreneur specialising in making her fellow women look splendid, and has big dreams within the self-care and beauty industry.
Luyanda Nikelo, the Founder of Beat and Tips by Yaya based in Bergman, Bloemfontein, has a natural love for beauty and a passion to help women look good and feel confident in their own skin. Nikelo says she realised that beauty services are not only about appearance but also about self-care and empowerment.
Through her passion, the Bloemfontein beauty titan started her beauty business in 2021 as a way to turn her passion for beauty and self-care into a professional service. A service that turned heads, that made some male hearts skip a beat and addressed the needs of women who have a high sense of occasion and want to look the part.
“At the time I started my business in 2021, I was still a student working towards my Bachelor’s degree at the University of the Free State, which I later completed in 2024. While balancing my studies, I also discovered a deep passion for beauty services and began learning different techniques. What started as a personal interest slowly grew into the business I run today,” said the inspirational Luyanda Nikelo.
Nikelo told The Business Weekly that her business offers a range of beauty services including makeup artistry, nail services and skincare treatments such as facials and foot-scrubs.
Beat and Tips by Yaya is not just a beauty service provider but an inviting unforgettable experience for women, it is the kind of service that goes beyond a beautiful face, it also promises to boost the confidence of their clients.
Like many other entrepreneurs, the resilient Luyanda Nikelo had to overcome a number of challenges when starting her business. She had to find creative ways to make her passion come to life and endure a number of discouraging moments.
“Like many small business owners, one of the biggest challenges was building a client base and managing start-up costs. Starting with limited resources required a lot of dedication, patience, and learning along the way.
Some highlights include seeing my clients happy and confident after their services, growing my skills in multiple beauty treatments, and gaining recognition for my work within my community,” she said.
Nikelo says her passion for beauty and the impact it has on people keeps her going. Seeing how her work boosts someone’s confidence reminds her why she started the business.
The beauty giant is currently working alone juggling a number of responsibilities that come with running a business. She has ambitions to create employment opportunities as the business grows. Nikelo says her business is growing steadily. Like any business, there are ups and downs, but overall the support from her clients has been encouraging.
Beat and Tips by Yaya clients are mainly women who are looking for beauty services for special occasions, everyday self-care, and professional beauty treatments.
Asked what her long-term plans are, the visionary and selfless Luyanda responded, “in the long term, I see myself expanding the business into a fully established beauty studio, offering more services and possibly training others who want to enter the beauty industry.”
“I would encourage any woman who wants to start a business to believe in the vision that has been placed in her heart. You don’t have to have everything figured out or have all the resources in the beginning. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that growth will come with consistency, patience, and faith. The journey may not always be easy, but every small step forward brings you closer to the dream you once prayed for,” encouraged Luyanda Nikelo.
To book the services of Beat and Tips by Yaya, you can contact her on social media platforms (Beat And Tips by Yaya) or by contacting her directly via phone or WhatsApp on 061 451 4771.
