Entrepreneurial Strategies Employed by Aesthetics Practice Business Owners in Enhancing Business Sustainability and Profitability in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijsbe.676

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial Strategies, Aesthetics Entrepreneurs, Business Marketing Strategies, Sustainability, Profitability

Abstract

This study investigates the entrepreneurial strategies used by aesthetic entrepreneurs in Limpopo Province in order to enhance the sustainability and profitability of their businesses, focusing on the innovative approaches they adopt to enhance their market presence in the province. The study employed qualitative research methods within an exploratory design framework; semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with key participants from the industry. Findings indicate that business management training such as marketing, financial management, strategic management and usage of innovation which is focused on integrated marketing strategies utilizing social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, along with word-of-mouth referrals and an informative website, is particularly effective. The data suggests that businesses that focus on aesthetic procedures can benefit from digital marketing avenues by promoting special offers, sharing positive customer testimonials, and actively engaging users through interactive content. The study highlights the potency of training business owners in digital marketing in reaching a wide, tech-knowledge audience, thus emphasizing its relevance across various sectors, including aesthetics. The recommendations include expanding feedback mechanisms beyond traditional suggestion boxes to improve visibility and foster deeper connections with clients, which will enhance their sustainability and profitability.

Author Biography

  • Khomi, University of Limpopo

    Master of Business Administration student

    Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership

    University of Limpopo

    South Africa

References

Afawubo, K. and Noglo, Y.A. (2022), ICT and entrepreneurship: A comparative analysis of developing, emerging and developed countries. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175, 121312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121312

American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). (2013). Plastic Surgery Reconstruction Statistics 2013. (https://journals.lww.com/psnjournalonline/toc/2014/07000)

Atiyeh, B.S., Rubeiz, M.T. and Hayek, S.N. (2020), Aesthetic/cosmetic surgery and ethical challenges. Aesthetic plastic surgery, 44, 1364-1374. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00266-020-01821-z

Castro, J.A., Alarcón, J.B. and Bustos, G.O. (2023). Educating industrial designers for the development of the territory through innovation-driven design, EDULEARN23 Proceedings 2023, IATED, 8082-8088. https://library.iated.org/publications/EDULEARN23/start/175

Danylova, T. (2020). The modern-day feminine beauty ideal, mental health, and Jungian archetypes. Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal, 3(1), pp. 38–44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32437/mhgcj.v3i1.99

Downie, S., Walsh, J., Kirk‐Brown, A. And Haines, T.P. (2023). How can scope of practice be described and conceptualised in medical and health professions? A systematic review for scoping and content analysis. The International journal of health planning and management, 38(5), 1184-1211. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3678

Drury, L. (2022). What's in a Name? Somatics and the Historical Revisionism of Thomas Hanna. Dance Research Journal, 54(1), 6–29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0149767722000043

Duncan, D.I., Chilukuri, S., Kent, D., Hoffmann, K. and Tingsong, L. (2022). Non-invasive alternatives for liposuction. In Enhanced Liposuction-New Perspectives and Techniques. IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/80193

Gomes, C., Silva, A.C., Marques, A.C., Sousa Lobo, J. and Amaral, M.H. (2020). Biotechnology applied to cosmetics and aesthetic medicines. Cosmetics, 7(2), 33 - 44. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7020033.

Haven, T., and Van Grootel, D.L. (2019). Preregistering qualitative research. Accountability in research, 26(3), 229-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2019.1580147

Joshi, M., Korrapati, N.H., Reji, F., Hasan, A. And Kurudamannil, R.A. (2022). The Impact of Social Media on Skin Care: A Narrative Review. Lviv clinical bulletin, 1-2.

https://doi.org/10.25040/LKV2022.01-02.085

Khetpal, S., J. Lopez, R. J.Redett, D. M.Steinbacher. (2021). Health Equity and Healthcare Disparities in Plastic Surgery: What We Can Do. An international journal of Surgical Reconstruction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.026; https://www.jprasurg.com/article/S1748- 6815(21)00276-X/fulltext.

Klietz, M., Kaiser, H.W., Machens, H. and Aitzetmüller, M.M. (2020). Social media marketing: what do prospective patients want to see? Aesthetic surgery journal, 40(5), pp. 577-583.

Krishnan, S. M. and Barani, G. (2020). An Impact of Marketing Strategies of Cosmetic and Personal Care Due to Covid-19. Bharathiar University. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341398471_AN_IMPACT_OF_MARKETING_STRATEGIES_OF_COSMETIC_AND_PERSONAL_CARE_DUE_TO_COVID-19

Krywuczky, F. and Kleijnen, M. (2024). Consumer decision‐making in cosmetic surgery: An interdisciplinary review identifying key challenges and implications for marketing theory. Psychology & Marketing, 41(12), 3182-3201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fmar.22104

Kudeikina, I, Palkova, K and Loseviča, M. (2022). Aesthetic Medicine as Global Trend in Public Health: Concept of Legal Problems and Liability Issues from Latvian Perspective. Medical Research Archives, (10) 9, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v10i9.3124

Lanto, S.M. (2021). Disruptive innovation by start-ups in the South African skincare market. University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. Unpublished Master dissertation. https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/7b67ee46-72c9-4f0e-ba65-48cadc073d12/content

Laurens, I. (2022). The rise of aesthetic medicine. South African General Practitioner, 3(5), pp. 169-170. https://doi.org/10.36303/SAGP.2022.3.5.0145

Liu, L., Zeng, L., Gao, L., Zeng, J. and Lu, J. (2023). Ozone therapy for skin diseases: Cellular and molecular mechanisms. International wound journal, 20(6), 2376–2385. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14060

Makwana, D., Engineer, P., Dabhi, A. and Chudasama, H. (2023). Sampling methods in research: a review. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, (7), 762–768. URL: www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd57470.pdf

Mehta, A.M., Qamruzzaman, M.D. and Serfraz, A. (2022). The effects of finance and knowledge on entrepreneurship development: An empirical study from Bangladesh. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 9(2), 409-418. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2022.vol9.no2.0409

Ngcobo, S. and Khumalo, N. (2022). Challenges of adopting entrepreneurship education as a strategic approach to unemployed youth in South Africa. Technium Social Sciences Journal. 29, 98 - 120. https://doi.org/10.47577/tssj.v29i1.5430

Olsson, A.K. and Bernhard, I. (2021). Keeping up the pace of digitalization in small businesses–Women entrepreneurs' knowledge and use of social media. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, 27(2), 378-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-10-2019-0615

Osemeke, M. and Adegboyega, S. (2017). Critical review and comparison between Maslow, Herzberg and McClelland’s theory of needs. Funai journal of accounting, business and finance, 1(1), 161-173. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316797740_A_CRITICAL_REVIEW_AND_COMPARISM_BETWEEN_MASLOW_HERZBERG_AND_McCLELLAND'S_THEORY_OF_NEEDS

Pospisil, K. (2023). The Price Tag of Stigma: The Emotional and Aesthetic Labor of Body-Positive Branding in Plus-Size Retail. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, USA. Unpublished thesis.

Pramudita, D.P.D. (2021). Entrepreneurship Self-Efficacy, Attitudes Towards Entrepreneurship, and Students’ Entrepreneurship Interest. Airlangga Journal of Innovation Management, 2(1), 53 - 72. https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/AJIM/article/view/26541

Rizzi, V., Gubitosa, J., Fini, P. and Cosma, P. (2021). Neurocosmetics in skincare—the fascinating world of skin–brain connection: a review to explore ingredients, commercial products for skin aging, and cosmetic regulation. Cosmetics, 8(3), 66 - 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8030066

Scârneci-Domnișoru, F. (2024). From sample to population generalization in qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 29(8), 2362-2383. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.7039.

Skiba, R. (2025). Advances in Cosmetology: Beauty Therapy Technology, Treatments, Sustainability, and Holistic Wellness. After Midnight Publishing, United Kingdom.

Stats SA. (2022). Polokwane. https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=993&id=polokwane-municipality.

Van Burg, E., Cornelissen, J., Stam, W., & Jack, S. (2020). Advancing qualitative entrepreneurship research: Leveraging methodological plurality for achieving scholarly impact. Journal of Business Venturing, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258720943051

Virtanen, T. (2000). Changing competences of public managers: tensions in commitment. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 13(4), 333-341. https://www.sciepub.com/journal/ajss

Wiratno, T.A. and Callula, B. (2024). Transformation of beauty in digital fine arts aesthetics: An artpreneur perspective. Aptisi Transactions on Technopreneurship (ATT), 6(2), pp. 231–241. https://doi.org/10.34306/att.v6i2.395

Yasser, A. (2023). Incorporating Individual Creative Thinking Skills into Leadership Development Programs (LDPs) to Enhance Organizational Innovation: With a Special focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Osaka Sangyo University Journal of Business Administration, 24(2), 37 - 80. https://osu.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/2526/files/37-80_ALMALOY.pdf

Zhang, Y., Sangsawang, T. and Vipahasna, P.P. (2023). Assessing Factors and Simulating Innovation: A Study of Innovative Capacities Among Data Science Professionals in China. Journal of Applied Data Sciences, 4(3), 213-228. https://bright-journal.org/Journal/index.php/JADS/article/view/123/104

Downloads

Published

2026-08-18

Issue

Section

Original Research Paper

How to Cite

Lethoko, M., & Mbhiza, K. F. (2026). Entrepreneurial Strategies Employed by Aesthetics Practice Business Owners in Enhancing Business Sustainability and Profitability in Limpopo Province, South Africa. International Journal of Sustainability in Business and Economics, 2(6). https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijsbe.676