Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

"Transforming locks into art. Embrace the freedom of shaved styles or the beauty of dreadlocks. Your journey to unique hair starts here."

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Shey's Dreadlocks and Barbery emerges as a sanctuary for those who seek to embrace their unique styles and cultivate their personal grooming rituals. Our Vision: To inspire a world where dreadlocks and barbering are celebrated as transformative art forms, empowering individuals to boldly express their identities and cultivate a profound sense of self-worth. Our Mission: To provide exceptional dreadlock styling and precision grooming services that ignite confidence, foster individuality, and promote personal well-being. Our Mission: To provide exceptional dreadlock styling and precision grooming services that ignite confidence, foster individuality, and promote personal well-being.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Shey's Dreadlocks and Barbery is more than just a business; it's a catalyst for personal transformation. Through our exceptional services, we empower our clients to embrace their individuality, boost their self-esteem, and make a bold statement in the world. We envision a future where dreadlocks and barbering are recognized as legitimate art forms, worthy of respect and admiration. By providing unparalleled services in a welcoming and inclusive environment, we aspire to inspire a generation of confident and self-assured individuals who are proud to showcase their unique styles

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Expert Dreadlock Care: Our team of experienced locticians provides personalized dreadlock services, ensuring that your locks receive the meticulous care and attention they deserve. Masterful Barbering: Our master barbers possess a refined skill set, enabling them to create bespoke haircuts and beard styles tailored to your unique facial features and preferences. Inclusive Environment: Our salon is a welcoming and inclusive space where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels respected. Empowerment and Transformation: Our services are designed to empower our clients with the confidence and knowledge to embrace their individuality and undergo a transformative experience. Cultural Exchange: Our salon fosters a sense of community and cultural exchange, where clients can connect with others who share a passion for dreadlocks and barbering

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Shey's Dreadlocks and Barbery caters to a diverse clientele who value self-expression and seek a hair experience that goes beyond the mundane. Our target beneficiaries include: Newbies embarking on their loc journey: We provide comprehensive guidance on starting, maintaining, and styling locs, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable transition. Experienced loc wearers: We offer a wide range of services, from intricate loc styles to innovative solutions for challenges like thinning or breakage. Barbering Aficionados: Those seeking a classic cut with a modern twist:We offer precision haircuts, beard trims, and hot towel shaves, ensuring a meticulous and refined experience. Individuals seeking a unique and personalized styling experience: We offer a range of creative cuts and styling options, catering to individual preferences and contemporary trends. Barbering enthusiasts looking to explore new techniques: We offer workshops and collaborations to push the b

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-09-26

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

My first partner is called Etienne Bungong. He runs a small barbershop in great soppo, Buea. He is dedicated to crafting more than just hair. A man who sees his craft as a bridge between self-expression and personal empowerment. His vision is to build a space where individuals can explore their unique beauty, embrace their individuality, and leave feeling confident and empowered. My second partner is Ajuah Brenda Whether it's meticulously crafted locs, or intricate braids experience, she is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized services that exceed expectations. Beyond the technical aspects of the craft, she believes in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. My third partner is Manli Nadia Her vision is to not only elevate the art of hair care but also to contribute to the empowerment of individuals through celebrating their diverse beauty and fostering a sense of community.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@simply.shenzy?_t=8mujfDInFw5&_r=1

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

j) Public services

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Skills Development and Training: Partnering with local organizations to offer free or subsidized vocational training programs, equipping individuals with valuable skills for future employment opportunities beyond the barbershop. Job Placement Assistance: Connecting individuals with local businesses and job opportunities, utilizing the barbershop as a gateway to gainful employment. Entrepreneurship Support: Fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship by offering business mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities for those seeking to launch their own ventures. By fostering a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and opportunity within the barbershop, we will create a ripple effect that transcends individual success. We will empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty, become self-sufficient, and contribute to the overall economic development of the community.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Our training workshops will help empower trainees to possess money making skills which will in turn play a vital role in liberating not just them but their families from hunger This is not just about providing food, it's about empowering individuals and families to break the cycle of hunger. It is about creating a community where everyone can access nutritious food, learn valuable skills, and thrive. Our business will be a hub for the sharing of business ideas that could help liberate individuals from the hands of poverty

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Health is wealth and keeping your body clean goes a long way. Our priority is to take care of your hair and in doing so, we don’t only leave you with the confidence you need but equally play a great role in promoting good health

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Through training workshops, partnerships and collaborative efforts with others, our business will go a long way to empower trainees with vocational knowledge needed to better their lives and live even better

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

My business doesn’t favor particular gender, it rather strives to empower both genders and deleting the mindset and practices of gender bias. We are aimed at empowering our community and not a gender

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

We are not only going to be employers to the unemployed, we are also going to be trainers to trainees, these will consequently lead to the creation of not only job opportunities but also future employers and entrepreneurs. As a result it will all go well to create a healthy and independent community

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

As the business grows, one of our major ambitions is expansion, we are not only going to expand the barbershops but equally create permanent infrastructure for the grooming and development of young talents, creating a healthy community filled with people with entrepreneurial mindsets

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

As a business that aims to reach out and empower members of the community, especially youths, we will strive to reduce idleness and unemployment in society. This will go a long way to curb the problem of burglary and vandalism and will create visionaries in the community. All these will take our community steps towards being safe and healthy

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

True there are many local barbershops and very few locticians in Buea in the southwest region of Cameroon. However these businesses either do not offer training programs and if you find a place that offers training, they are very expensive. In my community there are very few modern barbershops. The ones that exist are mostly local with outdated equipments and lack of modern techniques. Safe to say, my project doesn’t seek to introduce a new art in the community but rather seeks to improve on an existing form of art and also has as priority to empower the inhabitants of my community through free and cheap community workshops

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

My competitors are other existing barbershops but what makes me stand out if the fact that I’ll be using modern equipments, techniques and I will use my project as a hub to share ideas with community stakeholders and train inhabitants of my community, paying attention to youths. This is what the others aren’t doing and I believe it will make me unique and standout amongst my competitors

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

No