How Emily Shikongo built a thriving business in northern Namibia

Having started her journey as a nail technician two decades ago, Emily Shikongo has risen to become one of the top practitioners of the cosmetic craft in northern Namibia.Over the years, she has shared her expertise and trained many of today’s nail technicians in the area. Speaking to Ewi lyaNooli this week, Shikongo, a former banker, said she began working as a nail technician in 2004 when a cousin introduced her to the craft. At the time, she operated from her home village at Okapya, where most of her clients were relatives and close friends.“At the very beginning it was very challenging when I was starting as I felt [a heavy burden] on my shoulders. It went on until people started to know me. My dad saw how I was doing a great job and decided to build a room at the back of our business at the village where I was conducting my business from there,” she recounted. As her reputation grew, people began travelling to her from as far as Oshakati and Ongwediva. As a result, Shikongo eventually decided to relocate her business to Ongwediva to be closer to her clients.“Many of my customers were travelling from various parts of the north to Okapya and that is when I decided to take the business closer to the people.”She now runs her business at the Ongwediva Open Market.Keeping the dream aliveShikongo said her passion for the work is what motivates her.“I think doing what you like to do is for the best. You will never get bored because I can tell you now, after all those experiences of being in the industry, a client can wake me up at 22:00 and I will attend to them simply because it is something I love; it is in me,” Shikongo explained.“It has kept me going. I achieved a lot in my life, which I did not achieve earlier. I love doing nails, talking to my clients and experimenting with new things. It is beautiful.”Creating jobs Over the years, she has trained many young women, not only as nail technicians but also in how to run a business.She said it makes her proud to know that a decision she made in 2004 has led to her creating employment for young people who are also continuing the cycle of employing others.“Honestly speaking, it is a beautiful feeling. Even those who were never trained by me go out there and claim to have worked with me or were trained by me. I think they have a wishful thinking of wanting to have been trained by me," she said. “The girls that I have worked with have gone out there, started their own businesses; I am very happy for them, and they are successful," she said, adding that it makes her proud to see their success.Overcoming challenges Shikongo noted that there is a misconception that being a nail technician is simply about talking to clients and doing their nails, but the job involves much more than that.“Being a nail technician can be seen as an easy job where you are just sitting and talking, but the reality is that you will sit for long hours up to midnight. My challenge is working until very late and yet again expected to be at the business at around 07:00 the next day,” Shikongo pointed out.“My other challenge is having difficult customers; we do get them, but we have a way to deal with them.”When asked if she would have traded her nail technician journey for any other job, Shikongo said she has learnt that being self-employed is most fulfilling.“If I had not been a nail technician, I just know that I would not have been working for another person,” she said.kenya@nmh-hub.com.na

How Emily Shikongo built a thriving business in northern Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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How Emily Shikongo built a thriving business in northern Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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