Florance Rugato launches Hivesville braiding business

A dedicated Hivesville mother and former African refugee has proudly introduced her traditional hair braiding business to the Burnett region.

A passionate Hivesville mother, who came to Australia as a refugee from Africa, has launched her own traditional African hair braiding business in the Burnett. Photo: Florance Rugato

A determined Hivesville young mother has transformed a passion into her own business, bringing traditional African hair braiding to the Burnett region for the first time.

Florance Rugato, 30, arrived in Queensland as an African refugee when she was just a child and says she has “made the most of every opportunity” since.

After relocating to the South Burnett in 2021, Miss Rugato began styling her family and friends’ hair in the traditional braids more frequently.

The mother of two took the plunge in June 2023 to combine her passion with work and open her own business. Photo: Florance Rugato.

Miss Rugato said moving to Hivesville, 40 minutes north of Kingaroy, inspired her to launch her business Flo’s Simple Hair Braiding.

“I would braid my own hair with lots of colours and styles and would get compliments every time I went into town,” Miss Rugato said.

“People love it and it gets people excited and the opportunity to experience the traditional side of a different culture.

“I am a mother of two and I took the plunge last month to combine my passion with work and I created my business,” she said.

Miss Rugato offers the only hair braiding service in the South Burnett region and she is excited to share her love for braiding and its history, with the community.

“I have been braiding since I was a child and I enjoy the flexibility it gives me to raise my kids,” she said.

Florance Rugato's business is the only hair braiding service in the South Burnett.

“It’s all such a learning curve and at the moment I’m building my client base.

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“I remember the struggles of my early life and I use this to motivate me,” she said.

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Miss Rugato said she hoped to teach her clients about the interesting 5000-year-old history of hair braiding, along with creating unique designs.

Flo‘s Simple Hair Braiding is available via booking only at Hair and Nails Hive, Hivesville.

Originally published as Florance Rugato launches Hivesville braiding business