Yolanda Jico, founder of Ezobuhle Skin & Wellness Day Spa was born in the Wild Coast, Port St Johns. At 9 years Yolanda relocated to London (England) where she spent most of her teenage and adolescence years until 2010.
After staying in South Africa for 5 years Yolanda decided to move to The United States of America, were she worked in the Beauty Industry and had been promoted to a managerial post. Her career halted when her contract ended in the start of Covid 19, March 2020.
“When I came back from the USA, I knew at some point I will have to look for work.” says Jico. As she did not know where to start, her partner famously known as “Mist” suggested that Yolanda should open a spa. “This is your passion and now is the right time to venture in it.” said Mthobeli Xabendlini.
“At some point, I have always wanted to open a spa. Through my hard work and dedication, I thought why not?” explains Ezobuhle Day Spa founder. Yolanda points out that there was no thinking twice at this point. “We did it, Ezobuhle was formed in December 2020.”
Even though Yolanda Jico have studied Skin and Health Care Science back in London, with experience in the beauty industry like any person venturing into a business, she had a fear of not getting clients.
She explains it as a gamble she was willing to take. Even though Mthatha is a small town, it turned out great for the business. Perks of having a well-known partner also helped in terms of marketing, people showed up in support of Mist. Social media played its role in hand with a word of mouth.
Ezobuhle owners’ priorities forms part of finding ways to better their business. Yolanda says they constantly ask themselves what they need to do to continue running the business successfully and training their staff into being a 5-star. “it’s about being consistent and applying the knowledge we seek from our mentorship.” Adds Yolanda.
We asked what success means to Yolanda and her response was; “To me success means giving back to the community while creating job opportunities for the youth around Mthatha and the Eastern Cape.” She further explains that most of all success would be living to see the day she opens an orphanage for the unprivileged people around Mthatha.
With Ezobuhle being one of the best Spa’s in Mthatha, Yolanda enjoys designing it and making it look unlike from its competitors. Her plan is to branch out to other cities and have more Ezobuhle Skin & Wellness Day Spa’s. She articulates that the plan is to franchise but first around the Eastern Cape.
Ezobuhle keeps the core values within the business stable by living and leading by example, recognizing, and rewarding good work behavior and communication. Yolanda passes her gratitude to the Mthatha community for their continued support.
Article by: Leletu Xamba