Page 15 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

You always need to reinvent yourself and you always need to

keep up with the trends, techniques, and the times.

She opened pages on social media sites to showcase led to her being chosen as the first ambassador for
Owner of Cerése Hair Design
her work, which she said was challenging but also fun Goldwell, which is a German company, in South Africa in
because she got recognition and became busier and the KAO Salon division. In 2021, Cerése was invited to be
erése Bouwer, the ‘Blonde Doctor’ as she is busier, having to work long hours.
known, is the proud owner of Cerése Hair a guest artist for Goldwell’s education team, presenting
C Design in Hillcrest. She has had a challenging A dissatisfied client prompted Cerése to open her own the 2021 collection on stage to fellow salon owners.
journey to success in the hairdressing industry. salon, Cerése Hair Design in 2019. Starting with a small Another noteworthy achievement in 2021, was that
studio space of just 28 square metres, Cerése and her Cerése was given the Gold Award in the hairdressing
Cerése’s interest in styling was initiated by her late industry for the Best Salon Relocation and Renovation.
stepfather, who she said, “Recognised and saw the assistant opened their doors. The initial weeks were
potential in me, obviously in my personality and in my extremely difficult, with many obstacles. Her contributions to the industry now extend to her
creativity.” Straight out of matric, in 2009, Cerése was Three days after opening her business, Cerése was role as part of the creative team at Espavo Hair Design,
sent to study hairdressing in Johannesburg under the summoned to High Court by her previous employers which sponsors the styling for Mrs South Africa. She
mentorship of Terence Jansen Van Vuuren, the owner of in an attempt to prevent her from starting her own has the privilege of participating in the grand finale at
Terenzo International Hairdressing. business. Amidst all of this, she also suffered a home Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, where she will style
invasion and was involved in a car accident. hair backstage for the event.
Terence, in Cerése’s eyes, is her ‘ultimate hair hero’. “I
never knew I wanted to become a hairdresser until that Thankfully, with help from her friendly landlord and Find your passion
first moment when I walked into his salon in Melville, the assistance of a lawyer, the case was thrown out by
Johannesburg. I saw the creative hair stylists, everyone with the judge who ruled that you can’t stop anyone from Cerése’s advice to young women is clear: never give
the funky hair, pumping music and the vibe – everything earning a living. up, regardless of your background or the challenges
was just so incredible, I really just felt it,” recalls Cerése. you face. “See everything in life as an opportunity to
Six months after opening her salon, Cerése was forced
She added, “I’m such a science junkie, so once I did the to close her business again due to Covid’s lockdown learn and to grow and things are going to happen. As
theory and worked with colours, formulas and science, I regulations. “That was quite a challenge, as we couldn’t in my story it’s not going to always be easy, nothing
really fell in love with the industry well.” work for three months, but nevertheless my business was an inheritance.”

Under Terence’s tutoring Cerése learnt that hairdressing pulled through and we survived.” Just five years ago, Cerése lived in a little bachelor pad,
and the beauty industry is one of the fastest growing borrowing beds from an estate agent. Now exactly five
industries in the world. She commented, “You always Took the initiative years later, she is a homeowner, a business owner and
need to reinvent yourself and you always need to keep However, Cerése didn’t let the pandemic stop her. During responsible for staff and their livelihoods.
up with the trends, techniques, and the times.” “It’s just incredible where I am today,” she reflected. “I
lockdown, she took the initiative to create educational
Cerése qualified at Jeauval Hair Salon in Johannesburg videos about haircare, explaining how to use home always say, if you don’t know your purpose, find your
in 2010. After living and working in Johannesburg for a haircare products correctly. She added, “My following passion. Your passion will lead you to your purpose. And
while, the death of her step dad saw Cerése moving back just grew bigger and bigger. Today I’ve got over 9000 I believe hairstylists touch more hearts than hair. My
to KZN to be with her mom. followers on my Facebook platform. I am also on TikTok mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and
and Instagram and my customers just love it.” to do so with passion, compassion, humour, and style.”
Desire for growth
In 2021, Cerése growing business also meant that For time out, Cerése enjoys the tranquility of the ocean and
Cerése worked at a small salon but soon noticed a gap she needed bigger premises. This was not without relaxes surfing. She also plays the ukulele and the guitar.
in the hairdressing industry’s development between challenges as her dad unexpectedly passed away while Being nominated for KZN Top Business Women reinforces
Johannesburg and KZN. Despite her love for her town, she was signing the lease. She had to very quickly learn Cerése’s belief that no matter what challenges you face,
the difference in professionalism, innovation and how to deal with contractors on her own. Cerése now just keep pushing towards your goal. She feels that in the
opportunity for advancement was apparent. has two stylists working for her and two assistants. hairdressing industry you always hear male names in the

Fuelled by a desire for growth, and on the prompting of Cerése passion for hair dressing has received much industry. You don’t often hear of a woman owning a hair
a friend, Cerése ventured into the world of social media. recognition. Her substantial following on social media, salon, so to me it’s a very big achievement.”

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