A letter from the CEO,

Welcome lovelies! 

My name is Fidele Tshilumba owner and creator of Pendeza Hair Extensions.

Pendeza is a Swahili word meaning "allure" or "look absolutely stunning!"

 

In the congolese community we use that word to compliment another Queen by saying “una Pendeza dada” which means you look absolutely stunning sister! 

I am a 24 year old self taught hairstylist with a passion for alternative/ African hairdressing. 

My love for hairdressing started at the age of 7 years old! 

I have vivid memories of myself playing with my grandmother’s hair in our front yard, in my home country of Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

We came to Australia in 2005 as refugees and settled in Toowong Queensland! 

As we did not know anyone, my mother decided to help us become independent by teaching my big sister and I how to braid each other’s hair. 

This played a huge part in developing my technique!

A few years passed and we finally found a salon that we were able to visit to get our hair done.

 

I fell in love with the versatility of being able to change my look... This Is what inspired me to start doing my own hair. 

 

My biggest reasoning was to save my mum some money because I could tell it became financially straining for her to continue paying for two girls to get their hair done each month whilst being on income support. 

 

Thus, I went on YouTube and started my hair journey...

I played with synthetic short wigs, l learnt how to do invisible part weaves, full weave, cut my own fringe, braids and cornrows and also practiced on my close friends!

 

My skills developed immensely in 2017, so I decided to start my hair business on Instagram. At that time I called it hairby_fifi and because I was driven by passion rather than money, I charged very little, close to nothing actually.

I wanted to improve and get better with each client! 

I’ve always had a vision of expanding and making it big in the industry but It’s tough when you are coming from nothing and have to build yourself up at a young age.

 

I started off box braiding for $75 including hair extensions in my mother’s living room in Brisbane, Australia. 

The entire process took 5-6hrs and then add the cost of me providing extensions for a full head which was about $30-$40. As well as taking public transport to various locations to source out the extensions.

At the end of the day I made $20. 

 

I’m sharing this because I want to give you the real picture so you know that it is possible to build up from nothing. 

Follow your dreams until you make it! 

 

I still have a long way to go and I am honestly scared but at least I am walking in my purpose and making my dream a reality! 

Thank you for taking your time to read a little bit about me.

Hope to see you soon and talk some more.

 

Love,

Fidele Tshilumba

(Pendeza Boss babe )