Extending marriage to business partnership

Lloyd and Chrissie Majawa are not just husband and wife, but business partners as well. The family operates Maziko Executive Salon and Barber Shop situated at Area 24 Shopping Mall in Lilongwe.

They are both employed but they decided to boost their income by setting up the business using savings from their salaries.

“We realised that entrepreneurship is the way to go in as far as economic prosperity is concerned. We set up the business in October 2013 with a capital sum of K500 000,” explained Chrissie at the business premises.

Chrissie is working with a microloan company while her husband, Lloyd, is a teacher at Ngwenya Primary School. They named their business enterprise ‘Maziko’ after their last born child.

“Many people think that entrepreneurship is only for people who are jobless. Being employed does not mean that you cannot be an entrepreneur. That is why we embarked on this business,” said Chrissie.

Lloyd advised families to think entrepreneurship: “Financially, you can’t rely on a job alone. Things are expensive nowadays; therefore, this business helps us to meet other family needs.”

“We employ three people. As this business grows, we expect to employ more people, thus the expansion of our business will mean reduction of unemployment in the country.”

The partners see the business growing in the immediate future due to the unique services they offer.

“Many barker shops don’t wash your head after shaving, but we do. We also use advanced chemicals and equipment for treating hair.

“In addition to that, we also sell soft drinks at affordable prices,” said Chrissie.

Apart from hair-related services, the business also does facial steaming and nail polishing nails.

Lloyd said the business is growing fast because it respects its customers.

“We treat each and every customer with respect so that they should not regret doing business with us,” he says.

Lloyd said they plan to open more salons and barber shops in famous trading centres in Lilongwe and outside the city.

“Beauty is a priority and we know that many trading centres lack high quality hair services. As this business grows, we will reach out to people in other trading centres not just for us to make money, but for our prospective customers to look beautiful and handsome,” says Chrissie.