The Treat was founded in 2002. At the time, it was a small salon, so I was working by myself – waxing people’s eyebrows, and selling my mum’s waxing products. I made friends with so many clients, who then brought in more customers. The Treat gradually became more like the Red Table Talk, than an actual business, and started getting so busy that I could no longer work alone. Clients loved the beauty salon so much and encouraged me to operate as a one-stop shop, catering for all beauty needs.
My husband invested his own capital to get it off the ground. I’m thankful to him for making it possible for me to start my business. Also, the support of my brother, Elie Gharzo, has kept me going through the good and bad times. He’s been reliable, supportive and has always believed in me more than I believed in myself.
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It’s the clients’ love and support, and why they keep coming back, that has encouraged me to keep the business afloat. The Treat was never about the money, but about providing quality service that is in demand in the best possible.
What makes The Treat stand out is the first-come first-serve basis. No bookings or appointments are required, unlike most beauty salons. This makes it convenient for a customer to pop in whenever they need to, even if it’s just to fix that one nail that broke in the morning. In addition, the aura and the vibe are totally unmatched. Our work and customer service speaks for itself.
One of my biggest highlights is the loyal client base we have. This one morning, I was greeted by a queue of people as I arrived to open up the salon. I went from opening in the morning and waiting the whole day for just one client, to having several people waiting for the salon to open.
I’m not very good with finances, which is one of my major challenges. I have always struggled with budgeting. Ali, my husband, works well with money. He took over the finances of the business and since then, the business has grown 10 times more.
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I also have my own cosmetics line, Dany Cosmetics, which I’d love stock in big retail stores such as Dis-Chem and Clicks. The aim and focus now, is to grow my cosmetic line.
Any aspiring beauty entrepreneur should have endurance, love, and an understanding of what they are doing, and who they are doing it for. Always put yourself in someone else’s shoes, which will put you in an easier position to understand. We all have to start somewhere – believe in yourself and put in the hard work. In due time, you will see it all paying off. Don’t sit and wait for someone to make things happen – do it yourself. Most importantly, never give up!
