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#StartupStory: Thuli Hlongwane shifts from corporate IT to beauty
27 Jun 2019
For years, Thuli Hlongwane was a versatile and highly experienced IT management professional with an impressive background in the IT industry. After working for companies with the likes of Old Mutual, Woolworths and Pearson, Hlongwane ventured out into the entrepreneurial market and launched two apps, PRIM-U and Primlancer which connects people to the beauty industry.
We chat to Thuli Hlongwane, managing director of technology platform, Prim-U, to find out about her journey from the corporate work of IT to creating a hair, beauty and wellness booking platform.
Thuli Hlongwane, managing director of Prim-U
Could you tell us a bit about Prim-U Infotech?
We are one of the first on-demand hair, beauty and wellness platforms in South Africa. We enable time-constrained individuals the flexibility to schedule treatments when they want where they want. We do this by providing them with a simple world class website and apps that connects consumers and beauticians.
What is your role in the company?
I am the founder and managing director.
When, how and why did you start Prim-U Infotech?
It started as an idea based on my personal experience and frustrations when I needed to book appointments for doing my hair or nails. I had initially tried buying a franchise salon but I could not raise funds in time to complete the deal. With the introduction of apps to improve customer experience, I saw a gap in this industry and started Prim-U.
How does Prim-U Infotech work?
The platform provides opportunities for SMEs, who are therapists or hairstylists or nail technicians, to run their small businesses with support from the Prim-U platform. This is done by doing the marketing on their behalf, collecting payments upfront - using a reliable payment gateway and giving them the flexibility to decide on services, prices and schedules.
Prim-U Infotech recently launched two mobile apps. Can you tell us about this?
The platform is on-demand and available to cellphone and internet users anywhere and any time by downloading from the Apple Store and Google App store. Prim-U is the only platform that enables the connection for service providers to offer their services to customers as a win-win situation.
What are some of the challenges you've had in the development of Prim-U App and Primlancer App?
The biggest challenge was developing an app based on an idea with nothing else to compare it to. It was also difficult to test the application with no historical data available while trying to keep the user requirements in mind and getting feedback from some of the experts in the industry. I started the MVP product with no similar products in the beauty industry.
What has been your biggest highlight since starting out?
Some of the highlights has been the participation in working with some international organisations on a strategic level. We are also involved in a competition where we have an opportunity to showcase some of the future technological capabilities.
As a female entrepreneur who previously worked in IT in the corporate sector, what has the journey been like for you in becoming a business owner?
Very exciting! It is by no means easy and requires more working hours in a day, but it is fulfilling when I think of the reasons why I started. You realise that you are now responsible for everything, from giving specifications to testing to marketing as well as financial responsibilities.
What have been some of the challenges of being an entrepreneur in South Africa, especially in the mobile app industry in South Africa?
The cost of development, as well as changing the mindsets of people from replacing things from a traditional way of doing things to incorporating the use of technology.
What advice do you have in overcoming these challenges?
I am always on the lookout for opportunities that come in at a lower cost, but with substantial positive outcomes. Also, advancing the usage of digital channels where possible to send messages and encourage engagements.
There's been a shift in customer behaviour and market trends have altered the traditional business model as we know. Could you tell us some of the changes that you have seen over the years?
Online shopping is getting more and more popular, hence the growth in the marketplace. Africa is also advancing in coming up with payment options that are suitable for our markets. This will open up more and more doors for local entrepreneurs to run their businesses.
Could you share some of your plans to add value to the beauty therapy industry through the use of mobile apps?
Better delivery of services and treatments is essential. We have just launched a new updated version of our platform. Going forward, we are looking at ways of introducing the use of Artificial Intelligence to give more assistance to our partners.
Thuli Hlongwane, managing director of Prim-UWhere would you like to see Prim-U Infotech in the next five years?
Given the funds that we need, I see Prim-U leading as the platform of choice for most entrepreneurs in this industry. The opportunities created as a result of advancement in the use of technology will also be our strength in future.
Lastly, as we celebrate Youth Month, do you have any advice for young entrepreneurs?
Starting as an entrepreneur with no previous work experience can be an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time. It is an advantage in the sense that you can create your own space to operate in and an obstacle if you are not wise with the decisions you make. Keep your eyes open all the time. Anything is possible, and you can do it!
