THULI HLONGWANE (PRIMU INFO TECH)

Thuli Hlongwane from Primu Infotech (originally from Durban but currently Cape Town-based) has launched two mobile Apps that are set to take off in the beauty therapy industry: Prim-U App for end-customers and Primlancer App for the freelancers.

“I believe that Thuli has a very unique and interesting story, and would make for a great interview or profile about her exciting new app she has launched in SA. I feel this could also work as a great entrepreneurial profile or interview – so that the focus is more directed to her journey, rather than giving more advertising space to the app itself.”

 

Who Are They?
An on-demand technology platform for beauty therapy services that optimises booking capacity, usage and eliminates waste for hair, nails, massage and makeup professionals thereby speeding convenience for consumers.

What Do They Do?
This technology platform, Prim-U connects salon/spa owners with capacity to entrepreneurs/freelancer providers in massage beauty nails (referred to as primlancers) to offer their services to customers looking for;

  • Good quality services at competitive prices.
  • Excellent customer service that will promote customer loyalty.
  • A location that will assure convenience to freelancers and their customers.

Where Are They Based?
Nationwide

Who Benefits?
This platform will benefit the already established businesses as well as freelancers (prim-lancers) to maximise their profits by exposing them to new and returning customers. The allocated space for salons and spas will also be better utilised by making space available to prim-lancers during the periods that they are not busy or providing a service to their own customers or after hours. The prim-lancers can also work flexible hours and take appointments at a convenient time for their customers.

ABOUT PRIM-U (mobile app)

  • An on-demand technology platform for beauty and wellness services that optimises booking capacity, usage and eliminates waste for businesses thereby speeding convenience for consumers.
  • An on-demand technology platform for beauty and wellness services that matches and optimises booking capacity for professionals thereby maximising usage and eliminating waste by speeding convenience for consumers.
  • This technology platform, Prim-U connects salon/spa owners with capacity to entrepreneurs/freelancer providers in massage beauty nails (referred to as primlancers) to offer their services to customers looking for: 
a) Good quality services at competitive prices.
b) Excellent customer service that will promote customer loyalty.
c) A location that will assure convenience to freelancers and their customers.

How Prim-U works:

  • The mobile app matches experienced prim-lancers who are looking for space to offer their services from salons and spas with under-utilised space or looking at beefing up capacity for a short period of time.
  • Service offerings for Hair, Nails, Massages and beauty makeup services.
  • Matching based on location.
  • People looking for services will have an option of choosing a location from the list or keying in a location of their choice. Aggregator platform will list available salons/spas within a specified geographic location.
  • Secure Credit Card payments online will be instant using a payment gateway.
  • The platform will allow customers and salon/spas owners to rate their prim-lancers online and customers and prim-lancers will also be able to rate salons/spas online.
  • Appointments will be booked based on a match for capacity defined by available slots that are within a certain geographic radius and matched to specified time slots in a preferred location.
  • Booking platform for freelancers based on a match for capacity within a geographic radius, matched to time slots in a preferred location.

With all this been said I had to interview the amazing women behind these apps and share her journey with us.

RUAN: As a female entrepreneur who has previously worked in the IT in the corporate sector, and has decided to become a business owner, can you tell us more about this unique mobile app service to the local hospitality industry?

THULI: This technology platform, Prim-U connects salon/spa owners with capacity to entrepreneurs/freelance providers in the beauty industry to offer their services to customers looking for good quality services at competitive prices, at a location that will assure convenience to freelancers and their customers.

RUAN: What are some of the challenges of being an entrepreneur in SA (focusing on mobile apps in SA)?

THULI: Finding the right technology partners to work with in translating my business idea into a working MVP with a limited budget. The second challenge is being taken seriously and attracting the right investors when working on a product that combines a male-dominated technology industry with the female-dominated beauty industry.

RUAN: The challenges and journey of designing/building/maintaining/growing a successful mobile app can’t be all that easy. What has the process been like and what it all really entails?

THULI: The challenge of having the responsibility on every single aspect of the business is difficult but also the most exciting part of operating a small business. It gave me an opportunity to learn new things. My previous experience in corporate environments came in handy. I had the pleasure of knowing what to expect and articulate it clearly where pieces of work were outsourced to other partners. Long working hours are a reality but also enjoyable.

RUAN: Who would you stay has been your inspiration leading you to your current success?

THULI: Coming from a corporate environment I understand the need for convenience when booking beauty therapy appointments and the general need for employee wellness for large companies. Entrepreneurs do not have the flexibility to offer their services and some do not have available space to work from. They also need support in managing appointments, marketing their services and managing invoices as small businesses. Corporates can work with entrepreneurs to build businesses. I have been inspired by the thought of connecting companies to small businesses providing services to happy customers.

RUAN: How do you plan to add value to the beauty therapy industry through the use of the Prim-U mobile apps in SA?

THULI: This is a perfect time to introduce on-demand beauty services in South Africa. The recent increase in the service market place is unavoidable. It brings about exponential growth rather than taking away customers from traditional beauty treatment locations. We are re-inventing the way people consume services, which is transforming the way we buy and how companies work.

RUAN: With so many young struggling entrepreneurs in our country, what advice do you have for them if they have a dream like yours and how to go about it?

THULI: Many gifted entrepreneurs lack the flexibility to take their services to their customers, and some need to extend their reach. It is possible to set up and run your business using a cell phone with Internet access. They must look out for opportunities to grow businesses in unique ways and diversify thinking. This platform will benefit the start-up beauty companies as well as freelancers to maximise their profits by exposing them to new and returning customers. Prim-U is emerging as a trusted platform to provide a place where freelancers, businesses, and customers meet easily and effectively.

RUAN: Looking back at your current journey if you could sum up your life using a hashtag (#) what would it be and why?

THULI: #MissionPossible #GoForIt #Ididnotsignupforthis #VeryExciting #ItCanBeDone #challenging #success

RUAN: On which social media platforms can we continue to support your journey on and how can we get our hands on these apps?

THULI: Telephone: 0600703045
Email: info@prim-u.com
Instagram: Primu_info
Twitter: Primu_infotech
Facebook: Primu_infotech
LinkedIn: Prim-U

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