I opened my business while still studying at university, says john whose saloon business is flourishing in Suk Libya

By Arich Deng Anyar

Several people find it extremely difficult to balance business with studies but for 34-year-old Frida John, she has had to do exactly that due to the responsibility on her shoulders to build her flourishing business.

John, who is married with two children, was able to open her hair saloon in 2019 while at the same time attending her studies at Christian University in Juba. This was no mean feat for her as she had to take care of her young family and at same time balance her nascent business with studies.

Armed with a diploma in procurement and logistics, John prior to establishing her saloon was first employed at someone’s saloon.

John said she would have not managed to finish her studies without the support of her immediate family.

 “Working for someone is that you work daily to get paid. If there are no customers you don’t get paid,” she told The Dawn last week during a visit to her saloon.

Despite all the challenges she went through, she remained determined to start her own business.

John who is currently enjoying the fruits of her struggle said she is earning enough money to take care of her family and also grow her business. She said she invested her earnings at her former job into her current business.

“I used the money I earned at my former job to buy equipment and products in my saloon, and the money I am earning now is enough to feed and pay school fess for my two children,” she said

“When I opened my saloon I had only chairs, blow-dryers but without electricity and other needs,” she said.

John said that her saloon has since attracted customers enabling her to furnish it with more equipment and products.

“When starting a saloon one needs to be patient because sometimes you will not get customers and you might sit the entire day without money for food and water,” she said.

 John said that dedication to work bears fruits, adding that it’s this that attracts more customers.

She said that the humility is the secret to success in business, adding that without humility and customer care many struggle in business.

John has since grown her business and currently she is planning to start providing manicure services to her customers.