Jen's story

Who knew from my first job at 12 years of age in a boot repair store, I would end up running a successful beauty salon for 41 years and counting. Starting off doing a hair dressing apprenticeship (which was needed to continue into beauty) I began my career in the industry at 18 years old. My first job in a salon was on Swanston Street where I was trained as a waxing therapist. From there I developed a deep passion for the industry and knew this was my life path.

Fast forward two years and the next path I took was down the isle. Once I was married, I then moved to a salon in Moonee Ponds (funny how I ended up back here after 40 years). After a few years of building my experience, I ventured out on my own and started the new chapter in my life. I opened my own salon in Airport west called Nails Inc. Life was good. I was a young, happily married and determined woman. Then came along my first daughter Natalie. As a business owner in the 80's there was no such thing at maternity leave, so back to work I went, after just 3 months with my beautiful daughter. While being a mother to my daughter, I was also growing the business and expanded from a 2 room salon to a 4 room salon. In between all of this came my second daughter Lexi. Fun fact, I went on leave 1 day before she was born. Crazy, but that's just the woman I am.

In 2000, I decided to move the salon to Tullamarine. After 4 years in Tullamarine the business grew again, and I moved the salon from a 4 room space to a 8 room space. Here I spent 18 years. In this time there were many ups and downs. I came to the conclusion that I needed to begin to slow down. The opportunity arose to join forces with Joanne, and here we are today. I have been in the beauty industry for 41 years, and through this time I have learnt compassion, communication, empathy and the importance of sisterhood and all that us, as women do for each other. Over the years I have come across many women who were struggling with all aspects of life, along with my own hardships. Experiencing these life events has helped me grow my sense of awareness and importance of lifting people up, filling them with confidence, and being a person who they can lean on.

I asked Jo to describe me in 4 words and she said sophisticated, graceful, driven, and a bad ass woman!