Beverley Murray

Beverley Murray has dedicated her life to the world of beauty therapy and now operates from her salon Bev’s Beauty and Wellness located in Hirsch’s Umhlanga. Over her 44-year career, she has cultivated not only a love for her profession but also for the people she serves. “I love my clients, I just love to know that they feel at home, and that’s my main priority,” she says.

Raised in a family of beauty therapists, Beverley’s career path was predetermined. Her mother, Isabel, owned a beauty school and salon – Mondeor Institute of Beauty, and from an early age, Beverley was immersed in this environment. She reminisces, “I grew up in a salon, and from the time I was a little girl, I would ask, ‘Please, can I paint the ladies’ nails, Mum?’ They used to love me and allowed me to work on them. So, I think the passion had always been there.”

Beverley worked with her mum for 20 years and then started her own business. She has had her own salon for 24 years. Not only did Beverley learn the trade from her mother, but her own daughter Mechelle has also followed in their footsteps.

Beverley briefly dabbled in hairdressing when her mother bought a hairdressing salon, but she realised where her heart truly lay. “My passion was beauty,” she reflects. Her dream of owning her own salon became a reality in Johannesburg, where she built a large, thriving business. At one point, she managed a team of six, with her daughter occasionally helping out, making it a true family affair.

Relocating to Durban 13 years ago, however, forced Beverley to start from nothing. “One of my major challenges was trying to get a salon off the ground with absolutely no clients,” she recalls. Yet, her tenacity saw her through. “I went post box to post box, walking the streets and putting flyers on windscreens. You just have to do what it takes.”

Navigating Loss
Beverley’s career is marked not only by her professional achievements but by personal challenges, including profound loss. She had moved to Durban to be with a childhood sweetheart, only for him to fall critically ill shortly thereafter. “He was misdiagnosed, and they only realised what he had in April. He died in August,” she recounts with sorrow. “After he passed, I realised I had to get up. I had to get going. A week later, I was back at work, pushing all my energy into the business.”

During this challenging time Beverley met Viv, who introduced her to Umhlanga Women Achievers. “Networking was crucial for me because I didn’t have any other way to connect with people,” Beverley says. Through the group, she not only built her client base but found personal growth. “I used to be quite introverted, but through the Achievers, I learned how to speak in front of people. Now, if I get asked to do a talk, I’ll do it without hesitation.” Of note Beverley won the Umhlanga Women Achievers of the Year 2022.

Beverley credits much of her success to the support she’s received from people along her path, including Margaret Hirsch, a major influence and mentor. “Margaret has done so much for women, and she’s done so much for me,” she says.

Resilience in Adversity
Covid-19 brought another set of challenges for Beverley. Having opened a new salon at Hirsch’s Umhlanga, the timing couldn’t have been worse. “I had taken my finances to do the shop up, and three weeks later, Covid hit,” she explains. However, Beverley says when Covid struck, Margaret was one of the first to offer support. “She said, ‘Bev, don’t worry about the rent right now,’ and that meant the world to me.” Beverley’s resilience once again saw her through. “What saved me was that I was alone in the shop. People didn’t want to go into big salons during Covid, but with me, they could come one by one. It was just what people wanted.” Despite

the difficulties, Beverley’s passion for beauty therapy never wavered.
Throughout her career, Beverley has remained steadfast in her belief that beauty therapy is more than just a job—it’s a calling. “For me, I want people, when they come in, to leave feeling better than when they arrived,” she says. Whether that’s through physical pampering or emotional support, Beverley’s goal has always been to make a difference in the lives of her clients and creating a space where clients feel valued and cared for. “People have so much trauma in their lives, and I think since Covid, they’re not where they were five years ago. For me, it’s important to be there for them.”

For Beverley, success is about more than just financial gain—it’s about building lasting relationships. “I’ve always said, you come as a client and leave as a friend,” she reflects.

Looking Ahead
In addition to her work in beauty therapy, Beverley is deeply committed to charitable causes. Through her involvement with Umhlanga Women Achievers, she has organised numerous charity initiatives, supporting organisations like Hospice, Open Door Crisis Centre and the Jess Ford Foundation. One of her proudest accomplishments is the monthly coffee club she organises to support a small coffee shop. “It’s been going for four years now, which we also use as a platform for charity,” she says.

Looking to the future, Beverley hopes to continue growing her business while finding more time for herself. “I’ve got a wonderful lady, Nondumiso, who’s been working with me for two years. I’d love to one day be able to say to her, ‘You can run the shop more, and I can start taking a bit more time off,’” she muses.

In her free time Beverley enjoys sitting and watching the ocean, finding peace in its presence. “I go to church on Sundays—that’s where I get my soul food from. She expressed her gratitude for the community, noting, “They’ve been incredible for me on my path in life; they’ve been wonderful,” she concludes.