Times Are Tough, but Women Leaders like Melany Viljoen Are Tougher

It takes a strong woman to start a nationwide franchise business with little more than a dream and a plan. It takes an even stronger woman to lead this business through the tough times that the world is currently experiencing on a previously unimagined scale.

The unprecedented and rapid escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen many businesses fail, but in a reflection of the resilience of the human spirit, it has also seen the rise of true leaders, many in the most unexpected of places.

“These are incredibly difficult times for all of us in the beauty industry,” says Melany. “With major uncertainty around when salons will be able to reopen, and people concerned about their livelihoods, I knew I had to take a strong stance as a leader in both my company and the industry at large.”

Melany secured the sole distribution rights for the Tammy Taylor brand in Africa after visiting Tammy herself in the USA in 2013. “Her leadership in the industry in the US, and the values that she stood for, resonated with me,” she says. “I found her on YouTube while searching for nail tutorials, and I knew I had found someone I respected and admired.”

Melany quickly set about upskilling herself in the Tammy Taylor way, learning about the products and techniques from Tammy herself, as well as Tammy’s global head of training, Mary Stokus. “I came back to South Africa empowered with not only a successful business model, but the tools to train and empower others,” she says.

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These tools have stood her in good stead, establishing a strong brand through a network of exclusive premium salons that offer only the best in products and service. “Through our commitment to excellence, we’ve built a loyal customer base over the years, and this has never been more evident than right now, in the global crisis we are facing,” she says. “Our customers have stood by their salons, loyal to a fault, and supporting them wherever possible.”

Melany has also shown her commitment to her franchisees, leading by example. “During the lockdown currently underway in South Africa, we have waived all royalties that would normally be due, which helps to alleviate some of the financial pressure our salon owners are experiencing,” she says. “In addition, we’ve established various incentive and commission structures, which provide our salons with an alternate form of income during this time.”

Melany says that strong leadership is key during this time, and she is committed to demonstrating such leadership to her team. “One of the hallmarks of a strong leader is problem solving and critical thinking,” says Melany. “As soon as social distancing was announced, and shortly thereafter the national lockdown, we started thinking of ways we could support our people. Effective communication is also critical during times such as these, and we have ensured that our franchisees and clients have been kept in the loop through each stage of the lockdown.”

Innovation and creativity are also hallmarks of a great leader, and Melany has continued to be at the forefront of trends in the industry, even through the pandemic. “I never stop learning, training myself to constantly think of fresh new ideas that can benefit our salons,” she says. “Every day, we’ve been committed to developing new techniques, finding new solutions to challenges, and thinking of ways to stay connected with our salon owners and their clients. Confidence is a big part of leadership, and I hope to inspire this in others through my actions as a leader.”

Ultimately, it is those leaders who demonstrate strategic vision who will become and remain successful, something which Melany is passionately focused on. “Without vision, a business is doomed to fail, but vision without strategy is simply chaos,” she concludes. “Instilling in my people a sense of purpose is critical, but so is equipping them with the tools and strategies they will need to succeed. With vision and strategy working hand in hand, we can conquer any challenge the world throws at us. I am proud of team, and I know we’ll come out of this stronger and tougher, ready to face anything that comes our way.”

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