La Rochelle Beauty: More than just a salon
A small business makes a difference in Katutura
Rachall Mureko, the founder and owner of La Rochelle Beauty Salon and Barber, built her business from the ground up with a strong of focus on community and client satisfaction.
For many, a salon is just a place to get a new hairstyle. But for Rachall Mureko, La Rochelle Beauty Salon and Barber is a dream built on sacrifice, faith and a deep love for her community.
Mureko, a registered nurse who obtained her qualification from Unam, never planned to open a salon.
But with a business-minded partner and a keen eye for what her neighbourhood lacked, she took a leap of faith.
“What inspired me to open up my own salon is that, firstly, I have a very business-minded partner, and being around him influenced me to be business-minded as well," she said.
"I saw the need in my community for the convenience of not only having a salon and barber parlour but also the need for printing because I live right across the street from a school and the absence of the essentials was very evident in our lives."
She added: “I did not only want to convenience myself but my community, for the kids and the parents that have to travel far to get their hair done or make copies.”
Hard work builds thriving enterprise
Opening La Rochelle in July 2024 came at a cost. “Finances were the hardest part,” she admitted. “I was still a student, and my partner and I had to sell our car. I even used my NSFAF refund money. It was a big sacrifice for both of us and my mother. But through God’s grace, we made it happen.”
At first, business was painfully slow. “People think customers will rush in the moment you open, but for a few months, we had little to no one. It was difficult,” Mureko recalled. “The girls lost hope, but I kept reminding them that things would get better – and they did.”
Located across the street from the Hakahana Service Station and Jan Jonker Afrikaner Secondary School, La Rochelle has transformed into a thriving business, thanks to a team of young women all under the age of 25. “I call them my girls,” Mureko said with pride. “They’re always trying new styles from TikTok and social media. I never worry because I know they can do anything.”
La Rochelle goes beyond hair and beauty, addressing community needs like printing and photocopying – an essential service Mureko recognised when local schoolchildren needed copies for assignments and community members required prints of important documents.
For Mureko, the salon is more than just business – it’s about people. “It’s not just about hair,” she said. “It is about client satisfaction, and I want my customers to come back because of how we treat them.”
Looking ahead, she hopes La Rochelle will be remembered for more than great hairstyles. “I want to create a space where people feel inspired and valued,” she explained. “Even on tough days, we hold onto hope. Tomorrow always brings new opportunities.”