This archive report was first published on 16 July 2021.
On the surface, Joyce Wairimu's story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. The 31-year-old hairstylist has been in the industry for over a decade, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that forced her to think outside the box and adapt to a new reality.
With her salon closed and clients scarce, Joyce turned to social media to market her services. She launched a YouTube blog, where she shares tutorials on exotic hair styles, and began offering in-home services to clients who were willing to take a chance on her.
It was a risk that paid off. Joyce's YouTube followers began to seek her out for services, and she was able to regain some of her lost clients. 'It has been quite challenging since the pandemic struck,' she said in an interview. 'I could not pay rent for my salon as no clients were coming. I had to close shop, it really took toll on me.'
Despite the challenges, Joyce remains optimistic about the future. She plans to set up a new salon later in the year and is confident that her strategic plan will help her business thrive. 'I would advise young stylists out there to push on and think beyond the pandemic,' she said. 'It's not ending soon. So we just have to push on.'
For now, Joyce continues to work hard to build her business and serve her clients. And with her passion for hair styling and her determination to succeed, it's clear that she will emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever.
