… Okahandja teacher balances classroom and salon chair
By Feni Hiveluah
Meet Phenny Shaama-Jason: the Okahandja-based teacher proving that Namibian women don’t have to fit into just one box. She is an educator, a mother, and the founder of By Phenny hair salon. Born from grief, fueled by the pandemic struggle, and sustained by pure discipline, her journey from a two-chair backyard shack to a multi-branch brand is a masterclass in resilience.
Q: To kick things off, in what year did you launch By Phenny, how old were you then, and what was that opening week like?
“At most, the birth of something comes from immense pain and strength — and By Phenny was no different. As a young girl, I braided casually, believing it was just a gift. At 14, I lost my mom. That pain became my fuel and braiding became my purpose. It carried me through high school and varsity, covering my expenses and keeping me grounded.
Fast forward to 2020: sitting idle at home during Covid gave me time to realize my dream. I built a shack in my backyard with just two chairs and salon basics. There, I made and washed wigs. As word spread and trust grew, I was joined by two ladies offering nail, lash and natural hair services. With limited space, I worked strictly on appointments — a discipline that sharpened my client and time management.
By 2025, I officially launched By Phenny, opening two more branches and expanding services beyond wig making and washing. The first week was nothing short of chaos, but I am grateful for the well-trained team I have. They share my passion and ensure the business thrives even when I am teaching. Today, By Phenny sells a range of quality Brazilian hair and hair care products, standing as a testimony of resilience, faith, and teamwork.”
Q: You are a teacher by profession, which is a calling that requires immense patience and structure. When did you first realize that your passion for hair was strong enough to compete with your career in education?
“Teaching is my calling. I love making a difference in the lives of Namibian children. It’s more than standing in front of learners – it’s navigating the different personalities that walk into the classroom each day. As strange as it sounds, I needed an escape. As an ambitious woman, I needed something else to keep me going, and I couldn’t let my passion for beauty and hair die.
That’s when I knew I had to do both. I realized my passion had power when I saw how women transformed and gained confidence from a simple wash or style. That moment taught me that beauty is not vanity – it’s empowerment.
I don’t see my passion as competing with my career. Rendering hair services is a career on its own. We have women running households from just being hairdressers. For me, it’s about finding what works – and I found it in both teaching and hair.”
Q: Many people struggle to balance a demanding 8-to- 4 profession with an entrepreneurial side hustle. During the transition phase, how did you balance lesson planning and grading with managing clients and twists?
“I live in two worlds: lesson
plans by day and wigs by night. The in-between belong to my family . Having an appointment schedule was truly the breakthrough to balancing it all.
Time-blocking and discipline became my survival tools, because I prefer not to work in chaos – and perhaps that’s what helped me keep everything steady.
I am immensely
grateful for the support
of my family and friends
and equally thankful for
my team that ensured
that By Phenny runs
smoothly when I am in class. They proved that balance is possible when you combine structure, discipline, and shared passion.”
Q: Okahandja has its own unique local economy and community vibe. What made you choose it as the home base for By Phenny rather than moving toward the capital, and how did the local community receive a teacher opening a hair salon?
“The question we should be asking is, “why not Okahandja?” Okahandja is my home, my roots – the place where my story began. It was a strategic move – as a businesswoman, you study the market you want to penetrate – and I did just that. Beyond business, Okahandja
became the foundation for my Keep Neat – Keep Clean Project, a school initiative teaching learners cleanliness and self-presentation. It is also where I actively transfer salon skills to Grade 11 learners, creating opportunities for them to gain hands- on experience and earn an income during holidays.
This dual focus – education and entrepreneurship – allows me to plough back into my town, nurturing young talent
while strengthening local identity. While the capital has its own dynamics, I chose to stay where growth is visible, where my impact is tangible, and where my story can inspire
others.”
Q:Stepping from the security of a teaching salary into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship can be daunting. What was the exact tipping point that made you decide to transition fully or prioritize your hair business?
“I hold a degree that exposes me to people from diverse cultural and demographic backgrounds.
That experience taught me tolerance and understanding – essential skills when working with people. Managing personalities is never easy, but my easy-going nature makes it possible. I believe I am a people’s person;
otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.
Teaching instilled patience, structure, and
empathy in me. These qualities became my backbone in client and team management. I don’t just style hair – I listen, I counsel, and I uplift.”
Q:Teaching and hair styling actually share a massive common denominator: deep human connection. How has your background in education helped you in managing clients, understanding their needs, and running your
team?
“To be honest, the joy of transforming women and giving them confidence outweighed the security of a paycheck. Serving women gave me fulfillment – and that was the tipping point.
A quote by Barbara Sher sums it up perfectly: “As soon as you start to pursue a dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning.”
The hair business is lucrative, but success doesn’t come by chance. One has to remain disciplined, focused, and committed to delivering quality services to stay relevant. For me, fulfillment and discipline walk hand in hand – and that’s what keeps By Phenny thriving.”
Q:Every entrepreneurial journey has its trial-by-fire moments. Looking back at the transition from the classroom to the salon floor, what was the biggest unexpected challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
“Managing difficult clients and shipping delays tested my reputation. I overcame it by setting clear policies and protecting my brand with transparency.”
Q:Hair is deeply tied to identity, confidence, and self-expression for women. As a passionate hair specialist, what is the core philosophy or mission behind the chair at By Phenny? What do you want every woman to feel when they look in your mirrors?
“My motto is simple: “Feel the difference.” Every woman must feel that difference when she walks out of By Phenny. Behind the chair, my mission is empowerment. Hair is identity, and every style is a brushstroke that reveals confidence, beauty, and strength.”
Q:You’ve successfully navigated the shift from public service professional to a business owner. What is the most rewarding lesson you have learned about yourself during this entire journey?
“The most rewarding lesson is that good things take time. I’ve learned to embrace setbacks and to use them to get better. I learned that I am resilient, I am unbreakable and that I can truly go after my dreams. It’s also rewarding to see my family stick with me through it all.”
Q:What advice would you give to another Namibian teacher or professional woman who is sitting at her desk right now, secretly dreaming of turning her creative passion into a thriving business?
“To every woman dreaming at her desk : Start small,stay disciplined and trust the process. Find the balance and just do it.”
