There is a movement happening in Kigali. Stylists are realizing: "Why am I giving 60% of my money to a salon owner who does nothing but pay the electric bill?"
The rise of Salon Suites—small, private rental spaces—is changing the game. Here are the real stories.
Amani: The Barber of Kacyiru
Old Lyfe: Cutting hair at a busy shop in town. 12 hours a day. Taking home 300k RWF/month. New Life: Rented a tiny space in a shared hub. The Hack: "I knew men hate waiting. In the old shop, you wait 1 hour. In my suite, you book a slot, you sit, I cut. Zero waiting." Result: He charges 50% more than the shop, but clients pay it for the speed. He now takes home 1M+ RWF.
Grace: The Nail Tech
Old Life: Rushed manicures. Factory line. New Life: Private studio in her guest wing (Remera). The Hack: "I focused on experience. I serve good coffee. I have Netflix. It's a vibe." The Fear: "I thought nobody would come to a house." The Reality: "They prefer it. It's private. No gossip."
Key Lessons from Kigali
- Privacy sells. High-end clients (especially expats) pay extra to not be seen in a crowded salon.
- Booking links are mandatory. Expats and young Rwandans do not want to call you. If you don't have a link, they go to the next person on Instagram.
- Specialization. Don't do everything. Do one thing perfectly.
Ready to jump? You need a system. You can't run a business on WhatsApp. Miali is the engine behind Kigali's top suite renters.