By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Shannon Berinyuy, the CEO of Sparkle Complex, a beauty salon in Yaounde, says a lifelong and deep-seated passion for the art of beauty is the true catalyst that pushed her to establish her business.
Speaking, she recounted how her childhood interest, which first took root during her primary and secondary school days, was powerfully reignited after university. This , she said, led her to make the conscious decision to merge her formal education with specialized, practical training to realize her entrepreneurial vision.
“Actually, I had a passion for it back in primary and secondary school,” she explained. “I really had a passion for something concerning beauty. So, when I completed university, I had to enroll in two years of intensive training. It’s just simple—I had passion for it, and I followed it up with the necessary steps.”
After nearly four years in business, Berinyuy noted that while the overall trajectory has been smooth, the salon faces typical challenges, including financial difficulties and seasonal customer slowdowns.
Despite these hurdles, the focus remains firmly on the customer experience. “One thing that makes me happy is the fact that you have to deal with every customer as they come,” Berinyuy stated. “They come in different modes, with different expectations, but the good thing is that they leave happily, and that is the absolute joy and ultimate goal of Sparkle Complex.”
Beyond offering stellar beauty services, Sparkle Complex has embraced a profound social mission: actively hiring and supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the volatile Northwest Region. Berinyuy noted that the salon pays particular attention to these children, recognizing that many are dealing with the invisible wounds of emotional trauma and displacement.
In the past four years, the salon has successfully leveraged its training program to create opportunity, graduating more than seven batches of students, many of whom are IDPs. Berinyuy stressed the need for creating a safe, therapeutic environment.
“We understand that these children have gone through a lot and we need to make them feel at home,” she said passionately. “We have such individuals here, and we guide them, mentor them, and make them feel a true sense of belonging and worth.”
Sparkle Complex offers a comprehensive suite of services, including intricate hair braiding, precision shaving, advanced aesthetics, and general cosmetics.
Looking ahead, Berinyuy’s ambition is clear: to continue expanding the business’s physical footprint and service catalogue. She also plans to further her personal studies in aesthetics to bring the latest global techniques to Yaounde.
To maintain its edge in the constantly evolving cosmetic field, the salon regularly conducts in-depth research and invests time in professional development to stay alert to new international and local beauty trends.
Berinyuy encouraged young people to take their education seriously but also acquire a trade. “While you’re educated, it’s good to also have a handwork, a trade, because it not only opens up more employment avenues but provides a bedrock of financial independence. It helps immensely,” she advised.
