Startup Story
Ask any beauty or hair salon owner or freelance stylist about the biggest challenges facing the successful running of their businesses and they will tell you that interacting with potential customers in the digital environment is one of them. In Angola, Wilma Cavaleiro, founder of app management company KUJINGA, has the solution.
LoA met with founder Wilma Cavaleiro recently in Angola to find out more.
What does your company do?
We are KUJINGA, an application management company, which serves for the intermediation of beauty services with beauty salons, barber shops, makeup artists, beauticians and freelancers. Where users check prices, opening hours, schedule home services and evaluate the services they have contracted, making prices competitive and raising quality among providers.
“I found that in the market customers do not have an effective channel that allows them to check out beauty services, as well as low prices.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I created the Hair Studio, which is a barber shop specializing in natural hair and dreadlocks. Created in 2017, I found that in the market customers do not have an effective channel that allows them to check out beauty services, as well as low prices. I talked to other beauty experts and entrepreneurs who agreed with my view. I mapped salons, barber shops and freelance professionals in my city to know the size of the network and found a large market with growth potential.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The fact that we can work with the most diverse areas of beauty, and provide the client with a range of options, providing the interactive experience.
Tell us a little about your team
It is a multifunctional team where we have web programmers (Alberto Gonga and Grine Costa), Designer (Elias Faria), Communication and Image (Armindo Pereira), Manager (Vivaldo Mendes), Administrator (Wilma Cavaleiro).
“… don't wait for the right time because the journey is long and quite challenging, the sooner you start, the stronger you become.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My entrepreneurial journey started early, since elementary school I already produced colorful and adorned handmade candles in a project that I developed together with Junior Achievement. Subsequently, I was a sales delegate representing Cristian Lay Angola and developed sales for over 40 people, generating income. In 2017 I chose to create the Hair Studio, aimed at the male audience, providing specialist care for African and curly hair. I have participated in various entrepreneur forums such as Junior Achievement, Women Entrepreneurs, FAJE - Angolan Young Entrepreneurs Forum, Femtech, and currently the Orange Corners.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To grow at regional level and reach the 18 provinces of the country, so they can have the same experience and ease of access to beauty services.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Managing and solving problems daily makes the journey progressive and interesting.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Identify the problem you want to solve, and start with the resources you have, don't wait for the right time because the journey is long and quite challenging, the sooner you start, the stronger you become.
Contact or follow KUJINGA
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL wilmacavaleiro@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
More and more businesses are realizing that creating great customer experiences and providing access to quality services, advice and expertise both digitally and in person, is key to success. Wilma Cavaleiro is one entrepreneur that really understands the importance of solving this challenge and has created a digital solution that is having a great impact. This is definitely one exciting business to watch in 2020. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa