BY NOXOLO DLAMINI

BUHLENI– When employment opportunities proved scarce after qualifying as a Safety Officer, Gcebile Kunene, popularly known as LaGilbert, refused to let her dreams fade. Instead, the young entrepreneur from Buhleni in the Hhohho Region transformed her passion for beauty into a thriving business, proving that determination, resilience, and faith can turn challenges into opportunities.

She is the founder and owner of LaGilbert’s Beauty Bar, a beauty business that was officially registered and launched in early 2026. Her entrepreneurial journey began with a simple but powerful belief: if opportunities are not available, create them.

Although she trained and qualified in Occupational Health and Safety, LaGilbert soon realised that employment opportunities in her field were limited. Rather than waiting indefinitely for a job, she decided to pursue her passion for beauty and self-care, turning it into a business that now serves clients across her community.

“I’ve always believed that success comes from hard work, determination, and having the courage to start, even with limited resources,” she said.

“Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, I chose to create one.”

LaGilbert’s Beauty Bar offers a wide range of professional beauty services, including body piercings, manicures and pedicures, tooth gems, skincare products, and wellness products. Her mission is to provide quality, affordable, and professional services while creating a welcoming environment where every client leaves feeling confident and valued.

For LaGilbert, beauty goes beyond appearance.

“I believe beauty is about helping people feel confident, comfortable, and appreciated,” she explained.

“Building genuine relationships with my clients and providing excellent customer service is what makes my business unique.”

Like many entrepreneurs, her journey has not been without challenges. One of the biggest obstacles she faced was starting a business with limited resources while trying to build a loyal client base. However, she remained committed to learning, marketing her business, and delivering quality services to every customer.

Her determination has paid off. Today, she proudly counts the successful launch of LaGilbert’s Beauty Bar and the trust she has earned from her growing clientele among her greatest achievements.

Beyond providing beauty services, she hopes her story will inspire young people to embrace entrepreneurship instead of waiting for employment opportunities. She believes that education provides a solid foundation, but resilience, discipline, and adaptability are what truly transform dreams into reality.

Looking ahead, her vision extends beyond growing her business. She hopes to create employment opportunities, mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, and contribute to community development through her enterprise.

To young people considering entrepreneurship, Kunene offers simple but powerful advice.

“Believe in yourself and start with what you have. Don’t wait for the perfect time or perfect resources. Every successful business begins with a single step. Stay passionate, disciplined, patient, and committed to learning because challenges are opportunities to grow.”

Balancing business and personal life remains an important priority for the entrepreneur. She manages her time carefully, making room for family, rest, and self-care while continuing to expand her business.

Her greatest inspiration is the dream of building a better future for herself and her family. Interestingly, she describes herself as her own greatest mentor, drawing lessons from every success, mistake, and experience throughout her entrepreneurial journey.

As LaGilbert continues to expand her brand, she encourages the public to support local entrepreneurship by booking her services, purchasing her products, recommending her business to others, and sharing her work on social media.

LaGilbert’s Beauty Bar is located in Buhleni, Eswatini. Clients can make bookings by calling +268 7614 3323 or by following her Facebook page, LaGilbert Momo, for updates and appointments.

(Courtesy Pic)

Post Views: 94