Vanity Venue: A Mabopane-Born Vision Redefining Grooming in Pretoria CBD

Every great business has a story, and Vanity Venue is one of purpose, persistence, and passion built by hand.

Founded by Tumelo, popularly known as Pablo, Vanity Venue is the result of years of curiosity, trial and error, learning, and an unshakable desire to build something meaningful. What began as a personal grooming routine has grown into a premium salon that is quietly redefining what a hair experience should feel like in Pretoria.

From Mechanical Engineering to the World of Grooming

Pablo’s journey didn’t begin in the beauty industry. His background is in mechanical engineering, having attended Pretoria Technical High School and studied further at university. Grooming started as something personal a habit, a form of self-care never imagined as a future business.

What he always knew, however, was that he wanted to be in business.

Over the years, Pablo explored several ventures. Some failed early, others never materialised. Vanity Venue stands out as the first business that is truly tangible, something he physically built, shaped, and continues to grow with intention.

The Birth of Vanity Venue

The idea of Vanity Venue didn’t come out of nowhere, it took shape through timing, loyalty, and opportunity.

Pablo had been a long-time client of his personal barber in Pretoria, someone whose work he trusted and supported for years. When that barber suddenly needed to find a new space to operate from, it became a defining moment.

Instead of watching talent struggle to relocate, Pablo saw an opportunity.

This moment aligned perfectly with plans he had already been having about opening a salon. What had once been a future plan suddenly became a present possibility. Pablo, together with his long time barber/ brother made the decision to create a permanent home not just a workstation, but a fully built, intentional space.

From the beginning, the vision expanded beyond a single chair. What started as a solution for one barber grew into a salon designed to serve both men and women, rooted in quality, professionalism, and long-term growth.

Vanity Venue was born not just out of ambition, but out of community, trust, and belief in shared potential.

Learning Without a Manual

With no formal salon background, Pablo learned on the job. From understanding hair products and styles to navigating different business models in the industry, the journey required humility and adaptability.

One mentor played a meaningful role, a seasoned barbershop owner who generously shared knowledge and insight. Still, Pablo estimates that over 90% of what he knows came from experience: learning, adjusting, and improving daily.

Vanity Venue continues to evolve, refining its business model as the brand matures.

Why the location in Pretoria Central? Why the Competition Didn’t Matter

Opening a salon in a competitive area was never a concern.

The reason was simple: different vision, different target market.

Vanity Venue is not built on volume. It’s built on premium service, expert stylists, consistency, and a relaxing atmosphere. Standards are not compromised even if that means growing slower. Quality is the differentiator.

A Salon That Naturally Became a Family Space

One of the most beautiful outcomes of the journey was unplanned.

Vanity Venue organically became a family salon. Mothers and fathers arrive with their kids. Families are all serviced under one roof, each receiving focused, professional care.

It wasn’t intentional. It just made sense.

The Vanity Venue Experience

Vanity Venue operates by appointment, and this is by design.

When a client arrives:

• Their space is ready

• Their stylist is prepared

• Their hair is prepped for the service

There is no rushing, no unnecessary waiting punctuality is key. Clients relax, read, scroll through their phones, or even fall asleep during their service. The environment is calm, intentional, and personal.

Refreshments are offered, clients are warmly greeted, and every detail is designed to make them feel seen and valued.

Vanity Venue has become part of people’s lifestyle routines, their self-care moments, celebrations, and before-and-after transformations. Many clients document their entire experience on social media, from walking in to the final reveal.

User-generated content has become one of the brand’s strongest forms of storytelling.

Services Offered

Vanity Venue caters to men, women, and children, offering both barbering and hairdressing services.

For Men

• Haircuts & styling

• Shaving

• Hair colouring

• Beard grooming

For Women

• Braiding & installations

• Wig construction, reconstruction & recolouring

• Unplaiting services

• Hair treatments & relaxing

• Manicures & pedicures

The salon employs barbers, hair stylists and hairdressers, ensuring specialised services and chemical treatments are handled by trained professionals.

The Most Rewarding Part of the Journey

For Pablo, the most rewarding part has been the people.

The conversations, the relationships, the sense of community within the space. Vanity Venue keeps a client database to personalise experiences from appointment reminders to birthday messages and special touches that make clients feel appreciated.

It’s a salon where people don’t just come for hair, they come to feel good.

Lessons Learned So Far

The most important lesson?

The right people matter.

Building a team that believes in the vision, respects standards, and delivers excellent service even in the founder’s absence has been critical. When a business can run well without constant supervision, it reflects shared values and true alignment.

Looking Ahead: The Vision

Though the business is still young, the vision for Vanity Venue is clear:

• Fully booked chairs

• A strong reputation for premium grooming

• A future hair product range tailored for African hair

• One flagship store perfected before expanding to other cities

Growth will be intentional, not rushed.

Community, Motivation & Advice

Community support is essential. A business must feel welcome where it operates, respected, embraced, and protected.

For young people from townships who want to start businesses in the city, Pablo’s advice is simple:

“Don’t overthink yourself into paralysis. Do your research, yes but at some point, you have to start and learn through experience.”

On difficult days, belief keeps the brand moving forward. Growth requires facing the storm, not running from it.

What Success Truly Means

Success isn’t just about money.

For Pablo, success is when Vanity Venue becomes the first name people think of when they think of grooming, when it’s woven into people’s lives, routines, and stories.

Many clients travel long distances to visit the salon, and most first-time clients return. That loyalty speaks volumes about quality, care, and consistency.

On the tougher days, what keeps Pablo grounded is belief, both in the brand and from those closest to him. He credits much of his resilience to his partner, whom he describes as his biggest cheerleader and pillar of strength. “Sometimes it feels like she believes in me more than I believe in myself,” he shares, acknowledging that her support has played a key role in keeping him focused and moving forward when things felt overwhelming.

Visit or Book an Appointment at Vanity Venue

Whether you’re coming in for a quick groom or a full self-care reset, Vanity Venue operates on an appointment-based system to ensure every client receives focused, premium service.

📍 Address: 472 Stanza Bopape Street, Pretoria

📞 Phone: 074 628 6113

🕒 Operating Hours: 9am - 6:30pm Monday to Sunday

Instagram @vanityvenue_za Tiktok @vanity.venue