What happens when you grow up without a roadmap — no female role models, a mum who handed you a too-big bra and told you to figure it out — and decide to build a life anyway, entirely on self-belief?
You get Jenni Spence.
In this episode of Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess, I sit down with the hilariously brilliant hairdresser, salon owner and South African-turned-Australian Jenni Spence — who has been cutting, colouring and quietly revolutionising the hair industry for over 40 years.
We talk about a childhood full of Wham posters and makeshift bra stuffing, the strict upbringing that somehow produced a woman who never takes no for an answer, and the career she built from scratch with no blueprint and no safety net. We get into the move to Australia with her son and her parents, the loneliness of starting over in a new country, and the relationship breakdown that unravelled everything and somehow led to everything good.
We also get into the big stuff: how the industry has changed, why education matters more than ever, managing clients armed with AI images, and what it looks like to keep growing when the world expects you to slow down.
Funny, raw, deeply wise and completely unrepeatable — Jenni is the kind of woman who makes you want to call your friends, go outside, and remind yourself that you are, in fact, bloody marvellous.
Episode themes: resilience, self-belief, reinvention, women in business, hairdressing industry, mentorship, humour, midlife, starting over
keywords
hairdressing, industry evolution, mentorship, career journey, personal growth, industry change, self-belief, Australia, South Africa, salon success resilience, personal growth, industry evolution, education, humor, authenticity, women in business, life lessons
key topics
Childhood and teenage experiences of the speakers
Industry evolution and changing client expectations
The importance of mentorship and role models
Personal growth and resilience in the industry Resilience and overcoming challenges
The evolution of the beauty industry and education
The role of humour and authenticity in personal and professional life
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Backgrounds
01:58 Childhood Diaries and Teenage Revelations
04:02 Music, Influences, and Cultural Memories
07:01 Perceptions of Womanhood and Family Influences
09:53 Role Models and Industry Icons
15:04 Career Beginnings and Education in Hairdressing
20:06 Success in the 20s and Career Aspirations
24:48 Family, Moving to Australia, and Building a Business
30:00 Industry Changes and Client Expectations
35:01 Reflections on Industry Transformation and Future Trends
02:28 Industry changes and the shift away from traditional services
04:57 The importance of continuous education and staying current
08:02 Managing client expectations in the age of AI and digital manipulation
12:01 The industry as a secret society and the move towards openness
15:04 The significance of humility and lifelong learning
20:06 The impact of COVID-19 and personal unraveling
24:48 The importance of self-care, support networks, and humor
30:00 Reflections on resilience, growth, and future outlooks
Instagram @aoki_hair
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