Madina, a beautician based in Dubai and a former employee of Betty Kyallo’s Flair salon, has shed light on some of the reasons behind the establishment’s failure.
Betty Kyallo, the media personality behind Flair spa and hair salon, faced a setback when her upscale establishment was put up for public auction by Keysian Auctioneers. The move came after the auctioneers were instructed by the landlord to sell the salon’s equipment to cover rent arrears.
Madina, also known as the Eyebrows Guru, shared his insights during his visit to Kenya, revealing the challenges faced by Betty’s Flair salon.
He expressed concern that the services provided at the salon did not justify the fees charged, creating a discrepancy that impacted the business’s performance.
“The fees were high, and the services did not match. Flair by Betty was great when it started,” said Madina.
“People like us who worked there foresaw its demise because there were times when you go somewhere and you see that the rent, the fees, and the services being offered are not in line. When I was there, sales depended on me and another girl doing hair. The rest of the staff would be idle without customers,” he explained.
Madina attributed the decline of Flair by Betty to a decline in service quality and pricing, which negatively affected its reputation and customer flow.
“The customer flow was good, and she used to make millions from the place. I don’t know what happened along the way because when I arrived, they had already tarnished her name, and the service was poor, and the charges were very high.”
Despite leaving Betty’s salon years ago to establish his own business in Dubai, Madina shared advice for Betty based on his experience.
He pointed out that in Kenya, businessmen often invest more in equipment and environment than in service and technicians, forgetting that the technician is the one who generates more revenue in that business, not the fancy items.
Undeterred by the challenges, Betty addressed the situation on Instagram, attributing her business struggles to the harsh economic climate in Kenya.
“Obviously, it has become so difficult to run a business in Kenya,” she said. “Landlords don’t want to reduce the rent, and it’s becoming a huge burden on businesses that are struggling because of the economic slowdown. I let it go.”
Betty emphasized her newfound peace and happiness after letting go of Flair By Betty, highlighting the importance of prioritizing peace of mind over material possessions.
“I’m happier. I sleep better. My peace of mind is more important than a name. I’m fine,” she concluded.