Sorbet’s first-ever ethnic hair and beauty salon franchise in South Africa, ‘Candi & Co’ aims to formalise the local ethnic hair care market by providing a premium, affordable and accessible hair service for ethnic women. Not only will this aspirational brand focus heavily on providing exceptional, quality-driven service by hair care and beauty experts, but also on spearheading sound consumer and stylist education around ethnic hair. This will be nurtured through Candi & Co’s exclusive training academy for ethnic hair stylists, established in partnership with L’Oréal and other global partners.

“We understand the pressures modern women have to deal with, and want to offer an experience that compliments and celebrates black women. Candi & Co. is about making women feel beautiful, both inside and out. The way we feel about our hair, shapes how we feel about ourselves - we want women to feel beautiful and valued,” says Candice Thurston, founder and managing director of Candi & Co.

Ian Fuhr, founder of Sorbet believes that the success and understanding of what women want enables Sorbet’s to add new categories to their existing business model like the recently launched Sorbet Drybar and now Candi & Co. “We are not just in the business of beauty – we are about helping our clients improve their self esteem which differentiates us from the rest.”

Candi & Co’s attractive, profit-generating franchise model will provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to own and manage a successful business in an untapped market. This franchise model will launch during 2014 and will strive to drive positive job creation in the beauty industry; promote women empowerment and entrepreneurship; create and fund educational opportunities and improve the lives of South African women.

It’s against this backdrop that Candi & Co is calling on young, motivated students with a passion for ethnic hair care and existing stylists with a go-getter attitude and strong entrepreneurial focus to be part of this pioneering new concept in ethnic hair dressing.

To apply, new students are required to email [email protected] and will be sent the application process. All successful students will complete a 12-month training course in partnership with the L'Oréal Professional African Salon Institute and other global partners. They will also automatically be offered partial bursaries. When the course is passed students will be considered for a job into a Candi & Co. franchised store.







Qualified hair stylists are required to have a certified Ethnic hair qualification and can email their CVs to [email protected]. Stylists who are successful in the application process will be required to complete a 3-month training program.

All candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves with Candi & Co’s company culture, which places people before profits and service ahead of self-interest. It is a culture in which people are fulfilled both personally and professionally and one in which they find a deeper meaning in their work; where they see themselves as not merely doing a job, but serving and improving the lives of others.

The Candi & Co culture is based on a passionate dedication to service and to placing the interests of others before themselves; is rooted in humane values; is marked by relationships of high trust and displays unwavering integrity at all times. It encourages every ‘citizen’ of the Candi & Co community, regardless of position or stature, to make a difference to other people’s lives. In a people-centred culture, every citizen is celebrated, not for their position, but for their unique contribution.

As the Sorbets Group first ethnic hair and beauty salon brand, Candi & Co will provide international salon quality hair services for natural, relaxed and weaved ethnic hair alongside beauty services such as manicures, pedicures, eyelash extensions and eyebrow shaping, all in a professional, stylish and chic salon environment.

Premium salons will be established in malls across the country, and the brand will partner with respected, global salon-approved brands like L’Oréal, Mizani, Redken, Ladine, Inroar, Indique, Isis, Essie and Gelish to provide consumers with the highest quality hair and beauty products.