Parkview’s own world first
Parkview – More than four decades and still counting, salon holds the world record for the longest running salon.
Good leadership skills and great customer service have kept this business’s doors open for more than 45 years, the longest running beauty clinic in the world.
These are the sentiments shared by the women employed by Helene Bramwell, who owns The Mask Skin and Beauty Clinic in Parkview.
Amanda Mons, who has been employed by Bramwell for 28 years, shared, “She is an inspiration and a good person to work with as she is always keen to pass on the information she has.”
Another employee, Chanel Visser, said she has been working with Bramwell for 11 years and she also had only good things to share about her boss. “She keeps up with developments in the industry and that’s why we never stagnate,” said Visser.
On the other hand, Thokozile Msibi said she was grateful when Bramwell opened doors for her and allowed her to be able to work as a beauty therapist. “It was hard to break into the industry as a beauty therapist. I struggled to get a job after completing my studies but Helene looked beyond my skin colour and focused on my capabilities,” explained Msibi.
Bramwell started the business with fellow therapist Mary-Ann Smith but Smith is no longer part of the business.
In the 45 years of existence of this business, it has operated on the same street, Tyrone Avenue in Parkview.
Walking along the street with Bramwell, you can see that she has a deep-rooted relationship with everyone, from car guards, waitresses from restaurants nearby and just about everyone who makes a stop in Parkview’s high street.
When this business first opened its doors in 1971, it was just Bramwell and Smith but to date, the salon has created employment for more than 10 people who work as somatologists and therapists.
With her dedication to beauty and skin care for women, Bramwell served as a public relations board member for a Swiss-based beauty theraphy association, Comité International d’ Esthétique (Cidesco). She served in that position for six years and also served as the president of the same association for eight years. She is also a recipient of Medaille d’ Or award for her commitment to the profession and, at the end of her term, was presented with an honorary presidency.
As she tries to remain modest about her success, Bramwell said her achievement and this remarkable milestone were possible because of the love and support from her customers and staff.
