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Comfort Salon Mobile Application
Comfort Salon App is a one click mobile application that connects service providers offering hair styling, manicure and pedicure services with clients based on chosen skills set and proximity. The idea was birthed by;
1. Difficulty most women in Uganda go through as they offer such services by moving from door to door and market to market looking for clients due to high costs involved in starting up a salon.
2. Salon women not having a saving culture of which most of them are single mothers which was evidenced by COVID19 effects of lockdown and closure of salons resulting into beggary from men ending up as prostitutes despite how dangerous COVID19 is, due to pressure to cover living expenses such as food, rent, water and electricity bills.
State your goals
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Build one click mobile Application that will offer on demand services such as hair styling, manicure and pedicure to 5 million people in Uganda leading to employment opportunities of most women who offer such services.
2. To help the service providers especially women develop a saving culture through the cashless payment option by clients.
3. Develop a database of related service providers which can later on be used by corporate clients. Business to business with at least 200 unique service providers by the end of 2021.
What problems (particularly in value chain competitiveness and global disruption) are your community’s stakeholders facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
COVID-19 and the World of Work Report(The ILO Monitor 2nd Edition), indicates that 4 out of 5 people (81 per cent) in the global workforce of 3.3 billion are currently affected by full or partial workplace closures. In Africa, millions of daily wage earners have suddenly found themselves in curfews and countrywide lock-downs failing to cater for their daily needs and livelihoods.
This has greatly affected most women who offer hair dressing,manicure and pedicure services as they earn daily and most of them didn't have a saving culture. In addition to that, customers who want such services always physically go to salons. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, they have found their access to salons impossible due to their closure despite people wanting to look good.
What minimum viable solution(s) are you proposing to address the challenge(s) in your community?
An Uber-type mobile application that bridges the gap between skills and opportunities by connecting certified and experienced service providers of hair styling, manicure and pedicure to the nearest clients who need services in real-time.
The application is built with the following latest technologies that ease user experience of both service providers and clients.
1. One time password (OTP) for more secure login and data protection.
2. Geo-location / geo-referencing for tracking service providers location in real time and help them manage their service response time.
3. Real time push notifications
4. Real-time service rating for monitoring and ensuring the quality of service being provided.
5. Mobile money/card payment and cash payments for convenience of cashless payments and better record keeping.
6. Panic button in case of the either service providers or clients feel insecure.
7. Pictures of service on the go like latest hairstyle, manicure or pedicure style.
8. Gallery of different pictures of the different services offered already.
9. Clients input feature to put in a picture and feature of different service they need.
We are in position to help millions of women offering such services and our work is impact-driven directly contributing to the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal #8 Access to Decent Work & Economic Growth.
Service providers without smartphones are given one at a discounted loan provided they present their National ID'S, next of keen and it will be paid with a less interest rate of about 3% and it will be deducted from the money on their savings account which will be accumulated by clients paying the service using cashless option.
The business model is commission-based with 10% commission to be taken off of every service completed by the service providers using the App. Prices for different services will be standardised in the application to guarantee our clients with process transparency.
Share your story (your narrative)
My story started with a friend who had studied hair dressing but could not get a salon to work in and at the same time had no capital to start up her own salon ending up unemployed. This all happened after her getting an opportunity to participate in the presidential initiative program for skilling girl child and her vision was to own her one salon.
Secondly, as I deliver my products to one of my customers, she narrates to me a story of how she had gone to do hair dressing in Kampala City near a police station, unfortunate by the time she is done, finds out her side mirror is missing. And she tell's me imagine having a platform where I can have my hair being worked at my home,there's a lot to save which includes time spent in traffic, parking fee plus comfort-ability.
We have a real opportunity here to use digital technology to revolutionise access to decent and reliable work for young skilled workers in hair dressing, manicure, and pedicure services.
Please provide any additional relevant information that you would like to share.
In Uganda in 2017, the president launched a girl child skilling program with an intention to equip the women with practical skills and among which hair dressing has the highest number of students who have graduated which means most of the women in Uganda do hair dressing, make-up, manicure and pedicure. This leaves most women unemployed due to lock-down effects like closure of salons and restarting business again after the lock-down becomes hard.
Your Final Proposal for challenge
yes
This is a nice idea and a lot of the tech could be taken from other existing apps around this from other existing services. I would recommend using some Open Source solutions. I wonder what is the sustainability model for when lock down ends? DO you think there is a market for people to get these services at home during more 'normal' times?
Thanks and good luck.
Alex
You know what I see? A marketplace app that anchors artisans skilled in total makeover including manicure and pedicure. Users find these artisans based on their proximity to their locations, with options of going to their salons or asking them to meet them at their respective locations. To finalize booking, users will pay for the service upfront but it will be escrowed. Until the service is delivered, the artisans cannot be paid giving you the liberty to collect your "comfort fee" - certainly a small percentage to aid your sustainability. However, you will be required to conduct a comprehensive user research. It helps to validate your idea and to find out if people really want what you are making. If they do, great. Then you have questions like what are their pain points? what features do I include? What comfortable feel do I want my app to give? Be lean in your approach and tweak a few ideas till you are closer to PMF. Good luck!
Hello,
How about - Comfort Salon is a match maker mobile application that connects hair dressing, make-up, manicure and pedicure service providers with clients based on chosen skills set and proximity with buyer or seller privileges.
I'd like you to study Fiverr or upwork and streamline to your ideation. Nice work!
Great idea, Brenda. Hope this will facilitate access to mobile salons as well.
This is a very creative idea . I just love the fact that it’s implementation would save a log of time for many people
Hi Agnes.
Nice idea good stuff.
You could always work to consider hair on the go whereby clients who are not able to leave the house could have a guaranteed secure hair stylist who is authorised to assist them for example a pregnant woman in the house can have her hair and nails done from the comfort of her living room as an option.
I think this is a great way to promote mobile hair dressers. Kindly share your thoughts.
Thanks
A very interesting app, I hope it will do a background/security check on the service providers for security purposes. Otherwise, I would surely look forward to using this, I get so busy to access certain services like mani and pedi services. Good idea, push it forward because there is a demand for it no doubt.
Wow, it is surely a wonderful idea and also easy to implement. If only our Ugandan people can embrace such we shall be good.
This is a good idea since it creates employment opportunities not only to women but also to developers who could be even men. It also helps tourists in case they want to access services easily since they are also new to the area as the world is going digital. Though try o collect more data, also think about the security for both users and in conclusion I think you may need to include commission on service being delivered for it's sustainability. Good luck.
This is a brilliant idea madam. In addition to your concept, you will agree with me not everyone can afford a smartphone due to high cost of device, apps that drains battery life . If you leave in a settlement with no constant power how can you cope lastly internet bundle (Data) how can those without smartphone use this service? Most especially your friend who is trying to secure a job how can she get a smartphone to use this app?
You on the other hand applies to you. You can't go around to distribute your goods or serviceses.
That is why we provided a platform for people like you and your friends (Business owners) who might fall under the category listed above. So at the end every will benefit from It.
Please feel free you look up my solution
Information Database Bank (IDB)
Offline Assistance Service (OAS)
This is a brilliant idea that will impact positively on service delivery to many. In addition, there is reduction in cost involved in starting up this business and in a long run, am employment opportunity to the skilled people.
You can include a gallery of former works done by each stylist so people choose someone whose works are great
Hi Agnes, kindly review my idea Teleeza in Digital Change-Makers challenge so that I can refine it and progress it to the next stage
The idea has been progressed to the next milestone.
Status label added: Community feedback received
Hi Agner,
I hope you are safe and well. What a great project! Thanks for sharing it.
After going through the project´s description some questions came to mind in order to give you support to refine your idea.
1- In terms of technology
Nowadays the urge for data protection has increased. So, does the app has cybersecurity technologies to protect users sensitive information?
Can you detail the technologies that will provide the use of cashless payment gateway?
Does the project will promote a basic training, good user experience or an online support to guarantee that women with less technology knowledge will be able to use the app without problems?
2- In terms of business model
Does the app has any feature to market the solution to women?
How does the app will address a male application who wants to join as worker, for instance a hairdresser ?
Can you detail the business model regarding generation of revenue for investors and costs for users ?
I really hope that my contribution have added value to your project. Keep up the great work!
Best regards,
Niedja Cavalcante .
Hi Brenda, this is Lynda, and I hope I can help you with the few comments I have for you, so you can support your idea better.
It's true that during this sanitary crisis, many women lose their jobs, in your country case, mostly beauty salons owners, I would like to ask you :
- Do you consider customers transactions security for the cashless way of paying? Apart from Government and banks, what other entities can be involved for ensuring a safe and trustful way of paying and getting payed?
- Do you think that if you could design your mobile application with more personalised services, both the working women and customers will be more satisfied, in other terms, since they are supposed to have internet access, maybe you can give your app more effectiveness, in addition to near by service finding, but also proposing personalised hair style and services in regards with the customer picture input and associated features?
- Maybe adding a forum dedicated for customers encquiries will increase your profitability, at the same time satisfy more efficiently your customers by getting mutual advice.
- Can you briefly determine who are the different stakeholders involved in your idea implementation and usage? Has your project already been implemented? If yes, did you conclude any cashless culture embracing at a higher level?
I wish you best luck for the remaining of the stages Miss Brenda, and thank you for the great idea that can help us always look good whatever the circumstances :D
Hi agnes, this is a very smart idea and i think this innovative idea has to be used globally to ensure safety.however , if someone has a facebook page or instagram handle and they are offering similar services like your app is that not a challenge to your new idea? if not then explain why someone would choose to install the app instead of just messaging similar service on facebook and booking appointments right there especially now that facebook has great audience. consider refining the idea to beat social media handles. otherwise i am impressed keep it up
Interesting project. you can check this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id...erapp&hl=en
You will get more idea
Hi Agnes, Your idea "Comfort Salon" is a great solution specially during this COVID-19 pandemic situation. Can a woman who knows salon work join comfort salon and sell her service through your platform?
Great idea would be well positioned in this era of travel restrictions
I see you are now refining your idea so i have some tips that help me a lot and might fo too to you
To add to your solution, I am sharing with you questions from one of our trainings that can help in refining our ideas and projects
What business model will you follow to implement this idea?
What methodology or strategy will you use during different processes of implementing this idea?
Which are the processes you have to go through until the finalization of the idea?
What means or tools do you need to implement my idea?
Which are your potential collaborators, investors?
I honestly suggest that before you submit your idea or project, please and ask yourself these questions
I hope that you find this useful.
Your support and comments on my ideas is very welcome
Hi Agnes, in addition to my earlier comment, kindly look at beautyclick.co.ke and you could learn alot from their model.
Status label added: Mentor feedback received
Good job Agens! I totally get what you mean by building an Uber like app. But can you elaborate the viability of this bearing in mind the culture of your community? This is clearly an opportunity to address the problems that you have mentioned. But how would you bridge the gap between the challenges and opportunity to implement the Uber like app?
Also, on what basis do you state this "2. Salon women not having a saving culture of which most of them are single mothers which was evidenced by COVID19 effects of lockdown and closure of salons resulting into beggary from men ending up as prostitutes despite how dangerous COVID19 is, due to pressure to cover living expenses such as food, rent, water and electricity bills." show the statistics.
Remember to back all your claims with credible facts/data. Watch the final webinar and final submission video on how to answer the final document. It's long but you've got to dedicate some time for it if you want to win the challenge !
Otherwise, all good!
Users tagged:
Status label added: Expert feedback received
Hi Agnes this is a brilliant idea. How do you monetise it and also have increase customer returns to avoid once off. Cause if you do my hair I might well keep your number and call you next time to avoid going through the app? Think in those lines . All the best
Status label added: Submission completed
Status label added: Idea under jury review
The idea has been progressed to the next milestone.