Sorbet Sandton City has officially opened the doors to its brand-new salon in the heart of the Banking Court, ushering in a fresh era of beauty, luxury, and self-care.

• Perfectly positioned between flagship stores like iStore and GALXBOY, the new location is more than just a salon- it’s a full-service destination designed to pamper, polish, and impress.
• It’s a crowning moment in an 11-year journey that began with a simple desire: to make a real impact.
• With sleek interiors, expanded service offerings, and the signature Sorbet touch, the space marks an exciting new chapter for the brand and its award-winning franchise partner, Noni Kokinos.
• Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

In the bustling corridors of Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square, beauty isn’t just skin deep – it tells a story of resilience, reinvention, and relentless hustle. And no one embodies that story more vividly than Noni Kokinos, the franchise partner behind three flourishing Sorbet salons, including Sorbet Sandton City (Opposite Baby City), Sorbet Menlyn Maine Hair & Beauty Salon and the new Sorbet Sandton City Hair & Beauty Salon. Her journey from corporate banker to beauty mogul is as bold as the nail colours on her treatment menu.

At the 2025 Sorbet Group Conference, Noni’s dedication and dynamism were recognised in spectacular fashion. She walked away not just with one accolade, but with a sweep of major awards including Franchisee of the Year, Store of the Year for Sorbet Sandton City, Salon Brand Winner – Inland, Turnover Growth Winner – Inland, Operations Campaign Winner – Inland, and on another occasion, the Dermalogica Serious About Skin Award.

Noni’s professional life started in the world of banking, a role she quickly realised did not align with her values or ambitions. As the only woman in her team, she found herself uninspired, pushing paper without a sense of purpose. She wanted more. More meaning. More connection. And so, when the opportunity arose to take over the Sorbet store in Nelson Mandela Square, she took the plunge. The store, then a humble space with just three pedi stations and two mani tables, became the first step in what would soon be a beauty empire.

She renovated the space, relocated it, and then grew her footprint. One store became two, then four, including Sorbet Sandton City, Sorbet Menlyn Maine, and Sorbet Hurlingham. At Hurlingham, she did something revolutionary – the first-ever hybrid Sorbet salon by merging two adjacent stores into a single space that offered a full range of beauty services under one roof. It was a game-changer, setting a new benchmark for the brand.

But the journey wasn’t always picture-perfect. In fact, it was anything but. Within her first week as a salon owner, she discovered her only front desk employee was stealing. Left with no choice, she dismissed the staff member and found herself running the front desk for nine to ten hours a day. From a white-collar job to the retail grind, she opened and closed the till every day, handled customer queries, and kept the business afloat. It was a crash course in entrepreneurship, and it came with its fair share of sacrifices.

Despite the early setbacks, Noni pushed forward. At the height of her expansion, she had 90 employees across five stores. Many of these women were the sole breadwinners of their families, and Noni took immense pride in the impact she was making in their lives. Seeing her team members buy cars, build homes, and provide for their families gave her a deep sense of purpose that no banking job ever could.

Like many in the beauty and retail industry, Noni faced new challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forced to close her salons for three months, she emerged into a market that was more competitive and price-sensitive than ever. Clients became increasingly careful about how and where they spent their money, and luxury services were often the first to be reconsidered. To thrive, she had to double down on what mattered most: exceptional service, a premium experience, and genuine customer care.

As the industry evolved, so did her vision. Today, her newly relocated Sorbet Sandton City store in the Banking Court offers a full-service experience – from nails and facials to haircuts, colour treatments, weaves, relaxers, and everything in between. It’s a one-stop beauty destination designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern clients who want quality and convenience in equal measure.

For those dreaming of entrepreneurship, especially within a franchise structure, Noni offers honest, no-nonsense advice. You can’t just dream about running a business – you have to start. Be hands-on. Know your stock levels. Understand what your customers want. A franchise is not a plug-and-play operation. You have to show up, lead your team, and stay intimately involved in every aspect of the business.

Noni has also taken over and turned around failing Sorbet stores. She’s seen what happens when franchise owners become too passive, assuming the business will run itself. It won’t. Every customer who walks through the door is a lifeline, and every small detail – from product availability to staff readiness – matters. If a customer visits once and doesn’t find what they’re looking for, they may never come back. For her, success is about being present, proactive, and passionate.

When asked about the highlight of her journey, Noni doesn’t hesitate. Being named Franchisee of the Year in 2025 and celebrating with a well-earned trip to Zanzibar was the moment that brought everything full circle. After 11 years of grit and growth, the recognition was not just an award- it was validation of a dream realised through sheer hard work.

From a single-store gamble to multiple franchise takeovers, hybrid salon innovation, and now, Franchisee of the Year, Noni Kokinos’ story is an inspiring blueprint for what happens when heart meets hustle. If you’re walking past the Banking Court in Sandton City, take a moment to step into the new Sorbet. You might just walk out with more than a fresh manicure – you might walk out inspired.

Noni has extended a 15% discount on treatments at the Sandton City Sorbet to Sandton Times followers and readers. Quote: SANDTONTIMES to claim your discount. Valid until end August 2025.

Stand a chance to WIN with The Sandton Times.

Advertise on The Sandton Times today!

Head back to The Sandton Times Home Page for more stories.