How her Salon Thrived in the Hardest Year of Her Life - Brodie's Story

Transcript 

What has actually happened to my life right now, and I was just, that was one of the toughest months of my whole entire life. It is, yeah, the toughest month of my whole entire life. Your whole world just flashes before your eyes and thinking, what's

next? I look at you in awe constantly, and I think you just, you handle it with so much grace and so much strength and resilience.

Hopefully once that day comes. Yeah. We never have to ever deal with it ever again, and we can just shut that chapter behind us.

But to the whole team and to you, such a testament that you had this strength in a business for almost 12 months. You weren't there. Yeah. And you were able to walk away. And the business has been absolutely fine.

I

think just what I've gone through has taught all these guys that yeah, perspective life can change in a heartbeat, so let's enjoy what we do. On a daily basis.

Before we dive in, just a quick little love note from us. If this podcast has ever made you laugh, cry, think, or feel seen, please hit that subscribe button.

It's the easiest way to keep the magic going and it helps us land more incredible guests for you. Go on back, your girls subscribe now and let's keep rising together. Welcome. Oh, see, I always get funny, like, welcome back to Salon Rising, the podcast on a solo episode. No, Jen today, but instead, joined by one of my dearest friends and clients, Brody from Smooth Hair.

Welcome. Hi. Thank you. Thanks for having me. Okay, so this is exciting because you and I have worked together for, we were just working that out then. Mm-hmm. Like over two years. I reckon you were one of my. First clients. Yeah. Actually, how did you even find me?

I think it was just through social media and I was following LaSorella.

Oh yeah.

Anyone that hates social media. There you go. See Testaments. Yeah. Social media works. Yeah. And we've worked together for like two years now. Yep. But. I think your story is so profound in what you've gone through in the last sort of 12 months. Mm-hmm. That I was like, we have to tell your story.

And you're like, I'm not gonna be on the po. I hate this stuff.

Yeah. I was like, I don't think I'm the right person for you.

You're the right person for me. Okay. We'll see I made you come outta your comfort zone. So I had, we were just saying, then we had our salon rising first birthday. Mm-hmm. And you came to that.

Yeah. And that was like this great dinner where everyone kind of sat around. We'd spent 12 months together with that crew or meeting. Yeah. Other people. And you met other salon owners that night. I remember that night for. Other reasons, and you knew so much of behind the scenes of my life, and I think this is like one of the special things for me being a coach is the relationship you build because you and I became like good friends.

Yeah. And you started to know kind of what was happening behind my scenes. Yeah. And even at that first birthday, it was like one of the hardest, like I look back on photos now, it's like one of the hardest nights of my life. Everything was crashing down. Yeah. You had an awful day. Awful. And like no one knew that you knew that.

Yeah. Like no one knew that. It was just like my life was crashing down around me. And I remember like being in that room and being like, this is such a supportive. Space and afterwards I felt,

yeah, great. Well, even then, it was a huge thing for me just being there, stepping outta my comfort zone.

Yeah.

Traveling to the Gold Coast and yeah, being there with all these other women. But once we sat down and got there, like I met some beautiful business owners and learned so much just. Sitting there. Yeah, I remember that. You

were like, I don't know if I can do it. Yeah. I was

like, I don't know if I can do this.

Even my partner Jess, was like, you're going. I was like, okay.

And it was like, even for me watching you that night, you were like, oh, instantly I feel comfortable. I was like, don't worry. You're in a space with like such good people. Yeah. That it'll feel different because I'm the same way, like getting me out of my comfort zone to go to things like that.

Mm-hmm. Like even though people would think that I was extroverted. Yeah. Like stuff like that scares absolute. Yeah. Shit outta me. Yeah. Anyway, so tell us a little bit about, like go into the pre journey mm-hmm. Pre this last 12 months that we'll go into. Yep. But tell us a little bit about your journey, because obviously.

Like where the salon is Yeah. Go up until the beginning of the last 12 months.

Yeah. Right. Okay. So, originally I am from Victoria. And at the moment we live in Lennox Head and my hair salon Smooth is in Austinville, so it's about. 20 minutes inland from Lennox. I did own two businesses in Victoria with my older sister.

I'm the youngest of six kids, so there's a little bit of an age gap between me and her. And all of a sudden, yeah, I just had an urge. I had a brother and a sister living in Lennox at the time, and I was like, I think I need a change. Um, but I was also scared 'cause I had such a good thing going in Victoria.

Mm. And so I was like, yeah, I'm doing it. So she sold my halves, like I sold my halves back to my sister. Yep. And made the move. I just got a job at a salon in Lennox Head at the time. 'cause I was just like, I just need to find my feet. And everything. And I think I was there for about three months and I was like, Hmm, I need more.

I miss that flexibility and I guess I wanted to challenge myself 'cause I'd never had a salon by myself before. I had my sister there and her husband did like all the books. GST Yeah, super, everything. So I was literally work. I had it pretty good. Like I was literally working and, you know. Making money.

Making money as a salon owner kind of thing. And then all of a sudden I just had a little look on Gumtree one night and this little salon in Austinville popped up and I was like, Hmm, maybe it's a sign. I was like, I'll just go have a look. And I walked through the doors and I just like felt like home. It was, it's a beautiful old.

A hundred year building. It's an old bank. We still have like the old bank doors and the big safe door is like our, I guess tea room. Very little tea room. And yeah, so, and that was about nine and a half years ago. Wow. Now, yeah, it'll be 10 years in February. I've had. Smooth hair. Wow. Which is crazy to think I was still like, I'm only 35 now.

Yeah. So I was still yeah, 25 at the time doing this all by myself. I was there by myself for about 12 months and some days, especially that first few months, I was just like. Would call my mom and be like, mom, what the, yeah. Have I done? Like, I've got two clients. Have I done the right choice? And she's like, don't be silly darl.

Like, keep going. Yeah. You'll be right. I'm like, oh God. Okay. Shake it off. Keep going. Yeah. And then yeah, so about a year in and I was starting to get really busy. Had really no idea about business side still. I was just still a pretty good hairdresser and, good with people, I guess. And I really liked where I was and I had all these new clients coming in and,

then I did sign up a school base to start off with, and his name is Alex and he's still with me today and he's my little rockstar. So he started

as your school base?

Yeah, yeah. Teenage boy kept coming in. I think he come in three times. Asking me for a job. Shut up. Really? Yeah. And I was like, oh look mate, I've just started like this.

I'm just not quite looking, just quite yet. And then the third time I reckon he come in, he is like, I just need work experience for work. I'm like, no worries. Like I can give you that. Anyway, so he coming for work experience. And then yeah, the rest is hi history with Alex. He's still my main guy. He's my manager now, and he's really stepped up especially the last 12 months when everything kind of my life changed for a little bit.

And then, yeah, so that's really cool.

Yeah, very. He's, he's awesome. I didn't realize how long he's been with you, but Yeah, he's like the. Back has been the backbone of your business. Yeah, he definitely has. And the backbone for me personally too. Yeah.

Yeah, I don't think I would have had smooth open without him, to be honest.

We love that. Yeah. He's awesome. And I, and I hope he knows how much I do appreciate him. I, he knows. Yeah. I hope he does. He knows you're an amazing boss. Yeah. Anyone out there bitch, wasn't he? I just, yeah, work with him and what he, what he needs. Yeah. And to make, yeah, make it both work. And I think that's, yeah, really good.

I had, I've got two other seniors on at the moment, Lily, she's just finished her apprentice. Started this year and Simone, she works two days, um, in the salon and she's fully qualified as well. So we've got, yeah, a beautiful little family happening there now. And yeah, nine years on. Alex actually has his long service at the ride out age of like 25.

Um, that's wild. Yeah, so that's crazy for him and I'm so happy for him. I want him to go travel like. I want him to do whatever he needs to do in that time. 'cause he absolutely deserves it. Yeah. I love

The other thing with that is that you already started putting away. Yeah. Funds for his long service. Yeah.

You were like, you know what, I'm just gonna get ahead of the game.

Yeah. So I reckon it was like maybe mm, a year and a half ago. Mm. I was like, I hope he never leaves me number one for this long service. And , number two, I was like, you know what? The only way I can, ID be able to afford him to go and enjoy his long service all at once if he wants to do it that way.

Whatever. Was, yeah. I need to start putting away. I think it's just been like $150 a week each week. Just to add up slowly so then when he does decide to go and use it and whatever, I just know it's sitting there. It's so, so

clever for anyone else that's listening to that and has team members for a long time.

Yeah. It's such an incredibly smart thought because not only do you lose them in your business, but then you also have to pay them. Yeah. And trying to find. Three months. Yeah, it's three months, isn't it? Three months of income. Yeah. It around three months. Yeah. As well as like having them out of the business mm-hmm.

Is rough. If it's sitting there like what's $150 a week?

Yeah. It doesn't feel like much at all. Like it's just going away in an account and Yeah. I'm not even looking at it to be honest. 'cause that's his, and he's well and truly deserved it. Leather girl. Yeah.

Yeah. All right. I love that. Yeah. So. When you and I started working together.

'cause you already already had that, had the business for like eight years. Yeah. By the time you and I started working together. Yeah. What, why was it then?

Yeah, so I remember our first phone call, but yeah, I remember too, I was sitting on the bedroom floor, getting away from Maxie, my little girl because I needed some time

so for me, signing up with Salon Rising was not so much the financial side. Um, yeah. Of it. I was already putting away tax money. I was already putting away GSTI was putting away super. And I guess I was just, at that point I had had a baby.

Mm-hmm.

And I had. Peeled back from working full-time to two days a week.

And Maxi was

only like she was

one-ish. Yeah, I was gonna say she's around 12 months. Yeah, because she's three and a half now. Yeah. Yeah. So she was just over one and yeah, I had just come back to the salon. I think it was, she was like five months when I went back to the salon. And that was just two days a week.

Yep.

And I guess like the salon would've been fine, just cruising along the way It is, but I just wanted something. Someone really to push me in that right direction of where to go, business wise as well, and controlling, I guess, finding that dollar. I had no idea. I've been pretty lucky. Owning a salon for that long and not even knowing my bottom dollar for that long.

I

don't know if it's luck. I think you were, even though you were like, I didn't know anything and I was just doing my finances and just hoping for it. You were still very cautious. You were cautious with what you took. You were cautious with what you put away. Yeah, so I think that level of cautiousness, I probably wasn't

taking enough for myself for the work that I was and I guess working with you as well.

I learned that. You know, I could, what I was paying myself, I could probably work for someone else. Yes. Making the same with a lot less stress. So that was a really big learning curve for me. And I guess team bonding you know, you've really taught me in that area as well. Yeah, so that's why the reason was why it wasn't so much the finance, even though I guess the finance Yes.

With the bottom dollar and you know, what, what my target was needed to be and everything like that. But yeah, it was more, yeah, I guess pushing myself outta my comfort zone to try and grow smooth yeah, that little bit extra, not that I wanna, you know, put 10 employees on it or nothing like that. Yeah.

But just grow it where I could have grown it with what I had as well.

And I think it was a, a testament to how you run the business and. How you ran your culture and how things developed with what happened 12 months ago? Yeah. So, 12 months ago, I remember you ringing me, or over 12 months ago and saying like, I am gonna move to wa

Yeah.

I was considering, well my partner is from Perth.

Yep.

And well wa he's from a little town, but his family is in Perth now. And. With having Maxi and everything, we have no family around the area, so it, it can be a lot. He has his own business. I have my own own business. We have a little, like a nanny That's awesome with Maxi two days a week.

She's a, yeah, she's beautiful and we're so lucky to have her as well. But yeah, that little bit of family support was really lacking and so yeah, we were considering moving to Perth, so. I think it was just before everything was happening and everything. I was like, we are gonna go away for five weeks and go over to Perth.

We booked Bali for a week because it's so close. And I was like, yeah, we're just gonna go suss it out and see how it feels. Let Maxie, you know, explore Perth a little bit self. 'cause when we had gone previous, it was like Christmas and it was like rush, rush, rush. We'd never really like, you know, just spent some time, yeah, just spent some time.

We just wanted to go to, you know, rotten ness and everything like that, just. Like all the cool stuff that we wanted to just have a look at. So before leaving that you helped me obviously prep the salon I had promoted Alex to be more of a manager. Mm. I got him into more of the targets, what needed to be done ordering and everything like that.

'cause before then I was kind of just doing that all and he, and so that was awesome. It was time for him to have a bit of a change in the salon as well. And yeah, step up and do what he, you know, what he needs to do and what he does still to this day, in the salon, which is awesome. And just learning a bit more about numbers side.

Yeah.

So I had all that, you know, organized and I was like, all right. Here we go. We're off. Yeah. You were like, I'm

just, yeah. You were like, I'm just gonna a five week holiday. And I was like, yeah. Cool. Like, yeah. Go. And you were even nervous about that. Yeah. You were like, five weeks is a long time. Like, we're gonna head over to Perth, see if, you know if Yeah.

If that's what we want. If that's where we are going to eventually end up. Yeah. And then. The universe had other plans. So you went to Bali?

Yeah, we were in Perth for like a week. Yep. And then we were in Bali for a week. Actually we went to Victoria first to see my family.

Yep.

And then we were in, yeah, Perth for a little bit.

Then we went to Bali. And then when we got back for Bali, well actually my little girl, Maxie was. I was noticing signs that she, was a little bit not herself. Yeah. Like it wasn't bad. She was a little bit more pale bit more grizzly, but it wasn't like anything crazy like, and she was two and a half at this stage.

Yeah, she was two at this stage. Yep. Yeah. So I was just like, oh. And then when we did go to Victoria at the start, she did go downhill a little bit for like two days. And even at that point I was like, oh mom, I think I might try and get her into a doctor here just to see. My thought was she might be lower nine.

Yeah. Just 'cause of the pale skin and. She looked a little bit dark underneath her eyes and whatever. And Wang Gudo is where I'm from, and it's a smaller kind of country town kind of thing. And I think I tried five doctors and they weren't taking any new clients, so I was like, oh. They were like, take it to emergency.

If you think it's that, you know, in a nice way. They were like, blah, blah, blah, and I was like, oh, I don't actually think it's that bad. Like she's not, you know. That unhappy or anything. Yeah. So I was like, oh, anyway. And the two days passed and then she like perked up again. So I was like, yep, all right.

Might have just been a little virus, whatever. So we, yeah, finished that, went to Perth and went to Bali. We had like, she was so good in Bali, we had the best time together and everything like that. And then we got back to Perth and. She really went downhill once we, I think it was like two days after we landed, she's saying that her legs were hurting.

Like she couldn't walk. She was so miserable and like really lethargic, like starting to sleep. And I was like right to js my partner's mom. I was like, where's the doctor's? Like, I need, I think I need to get her in. I wasn't gonna wait till I get back to Lennox. Mother instinct is just telling me that I needed to go get her checked.

So she's like, oh, there's just a doctor around the corner. So I rang and got her the next day. And when we got to the doctors Maxie was like so limp and was just a falling asleep on me, which is not like a 2-year-old if anyone has a 2-year-old. It was just like, not like her at.

Yeah,

and I just said to the doctor, I think I just really want some bloods done.

Just check everything. I think she could be lowy nine or lacking something. That was just like my train of thought going through everything. So that was in the afternoon and so the next day, like early in the morning, we went to a place. We were lucky we were in Perth actually, because they had like kids.

Places where they take bloods and Yeah. 'cause that was traumatic in itself. Yeah. So we did that and I reckon that was about eight 30. And then we come back home, I think I remember going to do like groceries for the week, like, 'cause we were back from Bali and I just wanted to set up like a home. And I think at about midday that day, we got a call from the Perth Children's Hospital and they were like, hi, we're just ringing regards to like Max's Bloods.

And I was like, oh God. That was quick. And I don't know what went over but. I just was like, knew it was not good. And she's like, the equity was a guy and he was like, her blood levels are a little bit off. We just need her to come in for more testing. Emergency knows you're coming. You need to come straight away.

And that was like the conversation and I was like, okay. And like started crying instantly. 'cause I was just like, something's wrong. Like he didn't even mention the word cancer.

Yeah.

But I just said to Jez, she's got cancer. And I was just like, it's bad. Like we need to go. And I still remember the day that I was just running around, like packing a bag, trying to think of what to take.

'cause I had no idea what we were in for. And all I remember is Maxie following me around saying, you all right mom?

Oh,

I know. I'm like, yeah, Starling. That's all she was saying. You were all right, mom, we you all right mom? I'm like, yeah, we just gotta go see a doctor. Like it's all good. We're gonna be fine.

And then, yeah, we got into emergency straight in. We had to take more bloods and this was like a couple of hours. So she was exhausted. We were exhausted, and there was a nurse that come in and said, oh, we're just waiting on someone from the oncology ward. To come down and speak to you. And I was just like oncology and I had nothing to do with cancer or anything, so I actually Googled it.

'cause I was like, I don't even know what oncology is right now. I know a lot about it now, trust me. But I was like, I don't even know what oncology is. So I got, Jess did, but I got up and he just let me. Do a little bit of research on Google and it said, you know, like a cancer ward, pretty much thing. And I was just like, and then I started Googling like low blood cells.

You know what, what's happening? And then yeah, leukemia come up in another few. And then I was just like. Burst into tears again. And then when they come down, they spoke to us and we went straight up to the ward and we got put in this room. And the oncology team, yeah, sat us down. And Maxie was diagnosed with leukemia on May the 14th last year.

So it was just like I. The words that you never, ever wanna hear, you never think you're gonna hear, and you never ever wanna hear it. So, yeah, my little girl has cancer and it's leukemia. I feel like,

I feel

like I've known her for so long and I've been hearing you tell the

story again. I'm like, I know.

It's not nice, but she's fine. Well, she's gonna be fine. She has to be. That's what I've told her from the start. I was like, there's no way we're backing down from this. So yeah, our whole life's changed forever. So our five week family holiday in Perth turned will there for about nine and a half months.

Yeah,

because you pretty much couldn't leave at that point. It was like, it was like

we, yeah, it was like frontline treatment. So straight away. Yeah. Yeah. Next day Maxie went in for bone marrow. That, yeah. To trace her bone marrow it's called a lumbar puncture. Yep. Um, where they. Inject chemo into her spine and everything like that.

So, and she's had, she had them monthly from that, from that point on once, and now it's still three monthly, at the moment. So yeah, the frontline of end steroids was just, we had a whole month's worth of steroids and I don't know, hopefully not many people know what they are like, but they are horrific.

They're actually worse than the chemotherapy than what the kids have. Like they just. Changed them into this different human being. Maxie actually lost all ability to walk. She couldn't even sit up by herself. She swells up. They just eat and eat and eat. It's like actually disturbing. And what it actually did to her, if I was to show you photos and then

she went back to, it's like, 'cause you and I, uh, like.

We have like, like Maxie and Wild are the same age. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And it was like, so it's like trying to wrap your head around it and they, like, you would send photos and stuff through and it's, it was, it's so weird to see the regression that they have. Yeah. 'cause they go back to being bubbles again. Yeah, they do because,

and so many bottles and just like the steroids were next level so that we got thrown into that, especially that first month.

And like I lost her, like I had lost my little girl and I was just like, what the actual. Dunno if I can swear on the podcast. You can swear. You can say what the actual fuck. Yeah. If you're, if

anyone's able to swear on this podcast, it's right there. What the actual fuck. Yeah.

I was like, what has happened?

Yeah. Like what has actually happened to my life right now? And I was just, that was one of the toughest months of my whole entire, like it is, yeah. The toughest month of my whole entire life. Because number one, you just get told your daughter has leukemia.

Yeah.

And then number two, you just your whole world just.

Flashes before your eyes and thinking what's next? And you know, they give you all this treatment plan. And the plan is like the frontline of it is like nine and a half months of intense treatment, like one after the other. And then, and then after that it's like another 14 months of cord maintenance, which we are in now.

Yeah. So we opted to stay in Perth for that nine and a half months. Number one, Max's immune system was shot with everything that was going on and chemo and moving back to Lenox. Well, we wouldn't been able to come back to Lenox. We would've had to go to Brisbane where we had no family. They would've had to come to us.

We would've had to live in a Ronald McDonald house. Yeah. And we were just lucky enough that Jess's family was in Perth and they had a house. There. His sister actually just moved out of it 'cause they had built their lovely home. Thank you Verity. And we just stayed there for, the nine months, the hospital's like 20 minutes away.

And even like, you even look at it like that, you're like, it was the most horrific situation, but the most guided situation you could have had. Yeah. Because if you had have been here, as you said, you would've been in Brisbane, in Ronald McDonald. Yeah. Maxi doesn't like the car. No. Like it would've just been, yeah, it's

just, and it's just crazy how like we couldn't get into Wangaratta, same thing, then we would've had to be in Melbourne.

It's just so crazy how it. Never, you know, you never think it's gonna happen, but it's crazy how it all

aligned. How it was meant to. Yeah, it actually,

or did all align. Alex knew, you know, the back and forth of the hair salon. So that actually went to the back of my mind pretty quickly.

Same thing. He would, we had him set him up, right?

Yeah. He had set him up

straight, like so I was just like, right. If anything, if it's gonna happen to a person in their life, we will we'll set up. So, not that you wanna be fucking set up for that, but No, but that also eased my mind that, you know, once we had made that decision to stay obviously I called Alex, I think it was like two days.

Well, he knew straight away when it was, you know, she was diagnosed. I had sent a message out to like really close friends and he just said, just call me when you're ready.

Yeah.

And I just said, okay. So I think it was like three days in I kind of got my head around whatever I needed to get my head around and,

he just said, take as long as you need. We'll, we'll be here. Yeah, we are fine. Yeah. And I just said, well, it could be like nine months. He's like, it doesn't matter. Don't even worry about it. Yeah. Like, we're, we are fine. And then that was also just an instant. You know, relief. Yeah. Relief as well because obviously Jess and I were both not working.

Yep. And just having that little bit of income to cover our home loan. Yeah. Um, and everything back in Lennox was, was also a nice. You know, feeling in itself as well that Yeah. You know, that was all sorted and,

and then I remember having the conversation. I think this is an important, like for other business owners, I remember having a conversation one day and you were like, Ugh.

A client got their nose outta joint because she didn't like the fact that I wasn't there.

Yeah.

And she had messaged you, didn't she? Yeah. And you were just like. Just zero fucks given. Yeah. Like I just, I was, I was just like, you know what I'm in hospital with. Mm-hmm. My baby. Yeah. With cancer. Yeah. Like it just definitely does.

Perspective shift.

Oh, a hundred percent. And I was just like, you know what, just tell her that we are not the salon for her. Yeah. And she had been she had been a client of ours since like the beginning, since I had taken over from smooth. So like a long time. And I was just, I remember

getting the message from Alex.

'cause him and I, yeah. I was like, anything that goes wrong. Yeah. I don't, I don't, none of it needs to touch Brody. Yeah. And

Alex did a few one-on-ones with you while I was away, which really helped him, you know. Help him build what he needed to try and build or have questions or whatever. Yeah. 'cause he didn't really wanna bother me if even if it was big or little, he was just like,

yeah.

I was like, anything, just send it through to me. Yeah. And I remember him messaging me and being like, we've got this issue. And I was like, do not send it to Brody. Doesn't need to. And I was like, you just have to be strong enough to be like, we are not the. Yeah, we're not the hairdressers for you.

Yeah.

And I think

it, and then when she sent me a private message on Facebook, I was just like, oh my, I didn't even open it 'cause I knew what it was going to say or what it was about or you know, whatever.

And I was just like, you know what? It's your hair.

Yeah. Yeah. So at the end of the day, you're like, all you're gonna get back is angry mother there right now. I couldn't give a shit. Yeah. And it

wasn't worth it. So, yeah, she's no longer and still no longer coming into the hair salon. And

Alex handled it so well.

Yeah, because he was just like. How do I respond to this? I'm like, exactly how you think you should respond to it. Yeah. Like it's time for her to move on. It's not, it's like Absolutely. You know, it was

just like when Yeah. Life through stuff like that. It's just, I. You actually don't care. Yeah. I was like, I don't actually care what you say to

her.

And the craziest thing is we let, and still to this day, and you probably will have moments of it still. Yeah. Like that we let these little things consume us so much. Mm-hmm. A one star review. Yeah. A client that's unhappy, someone that hasn't responded. And we let it really fester in our bodies and. We're feeling it.

And then you gain so much perspective. Yeah. With what you've gone through that you're just like, just, yeah.

And even on a daily basis. Now sometimes when you think you are having a bad day, I'm just like, for what Maxi goes through. Yeah. I'm just like, our day is pretty good. Yeah. And that's all I look at her like she's a three and a half year old still having.

Oral chemo daily, another one weekly. And we go into Brisbane for a lumbar puncture every three months and chemo through her port. So I was like, she's a little champion and like whatever's going on. And I get everyone has their own heart. Yeah. And I really like, I try and. Tell myself that. 'cause sometimes when I'm talking to someone and they're like,

oh, I love that you say this though.

I

remember you saying that, but everyone's got

their

own heart. I'm like, yeah,

but if someone says that their child didn't sleep

all night, I'm like. Fuck me, I'll take a baby sleeper. No more night right now on how I'm feeling, but then I have to pull my head in bit myself because I'm like, do you know what?

That's your heart. Yeah. And my heart is very hard. Yeah. But no one, and even to this day, no one actually knows how, what it feels like. I never want people to go through it, but until you go through it,

I don't think anyone, it's like anyone that's going through things. I don't think anybody can possibly, I have absolutely no idea and I don't like, I look at you in awe constantly, and I think you just.

You handle it with so much grace. Yeah. And so much strength and resilience that you're just like, I don't think anyone, no one will understand other than the other mums that you know, that have the same situation.

Yeah, and I've definitely, we've definitely grown like a little. The community I never wanted to be a part of.

Ever. Yeah. But the community of the oncology ward in the children's hospital is like next level. Yeah. Like we can just relate with them. Yeah. Instantly, we've met a little family. They're in Perth still obviously, but Ava, their daughter was diagnosed like three days before Maxie, and she was, she's a year older than Maxie, so she was three and a half when she was diagnosed, but still.

And it's just so nice to have those people there, like in a message being like, Maxie iss starting to get a little bit of foot pain is Ava. Yeah. Just little things like that. And she's like, oh, absolutely. So it's just like that. Instant. Yeah. Calming. Calming mode. So, and yeah, the having that community just there, plus you know, your community with your family and friends that are here to support you right now.

Yeah. It's really, really nice to have that. And they're amazing human beings, what they're going through too, because not all of them have leukemia, obviously on the oncology ward. Yeah. It's like things you never, ever heard of that you think, oh my God. And then some days I was thinking, I'm so lucky that Maxxis only.

Got leukemia because the outcomes are amazing and hopefully once this, so July next year is her end date of treatment and hopefully once that day comes yeah, we'll never have to. Deal with it ever again and we can just shut that chapter behind us. So,

wow.

Yeah, it's pretty crazy.

So then you decided, I remember getting the call saying, I'm coming home.

Yeah, we're coming home. It was

like we were leading up to it. 'cause Maxi still had, we were still in the front line actually of treatment. But the last phase we had already done. Yeah. So a lot of the phases were going in unknown. Like we didn't know how she was gonna respond. Yeah. We didn't know how intense it was all gonna be.

And so this last phase we had done already, so we weren't going in blindsided. It was chemo through her port like every 10 days. Yeah. That was pretty much how it went for eight weeks plus a lumbar puncture, which she goes under like twice times, like through it. So we knew. Like she dealt with it pretty good considering she was a 3-year-old going through what she was going through, and we knew that if we gave her the right anuses and you become a pharmacist, trust me.

Yeah.

As well. You're like, we're back in hospital. I knew something was off. Like you also become just like a. Like a walking mind for your child. Yeah. Like you're like, oh, something's wrong. Let's go.

Yeah. And still to this day, if Maxi gets a fever, anything over 38, we, it's straight hospital admission.

Yeah.

So, and we're just lucky that we do keep her in a little bit of a bubble. Like she doesn't do childcare or anything. Yeah. Hasn't started preschool yet, but hopefully next year we can. Yeah. Let her do that. Just 'cause yeah. If she gets sick, it's like hospital. Yeah. Antibiotics, like it's a whole new ballpark.

And if we can protect her for a little bit for now, while living a semi-normal life is, yeah, I think that's the right choice for us to do. In saying that we've traveled to Victoria.

Yeah.

I'm a crazy woman on the airplane, like having everything down, but, yeah. So in saying that, she yeah, so it's still intense in that area and we try and protect her in that way as, as much as possible in going forward.

And then, yeah, when we were able to finally come home for that last phase, we had to be in Brisbane for a couple of weeks, and then we could finally get back into our house. And then we were, were traveling, well actually Lismore Base Hospital could do a little bit of chemo, which has been a lifesaver for us.

Yeah. Which is only 40 minutes instead of, you know, that two and a half hour drive.

Yeah. Yep.

And we did there a few treatments there and can't fault them. Like they're just incredible there as well. Like every hospital's been amazing.

Yeah.

And so that was a lifesaver for us as well, being able to just get back home semi normality, see our dog.

Yeah. Which

was just like amazing. Jimmy. Yeah. Little Jimmy boy. And yeah, get back into, I think I started going back to work. Like one day a week. Yeah. And I remember you saying, don't take any clients, like just go in there and just be free. Like just be there for the crew if they need you or whatever.

And I said the same thing to Alex and he had a little laugh and I was like, what are you laughing at? Yeah. So yeah, if my team

was listening to this video, they'd be like, yeah, sure, babe. You practice what you preach. Yeah. So

I was like, and then I think I had the first few weeks I think I had like. Two clients in each day.

And I was like, stuff this Samara. Yeah. I was like, no, I wanna do more. And it was just good to be there. Like Yeah. When I, even if it was just one day I was just like, oh, like that normality. The normality Yeah. Of it, of that. Don't ever take that boring routine for granted. Yeah. Like getting up. Feel lucky that you get to do it.

Yeah, yeah, definitely. And it's definitely, put, you know, going into work and being there. Like I just had to have a pinch myself moment, like that first morning back that I was like, oh my God. Like, I'm, I never thought the day was gonna come

that, but also, like I always say to you, and you kind of like have such a hard time taking compliments that you are able to, like, it's an absolute testament to you and to your team.

Like, I, like Alex knows how loved he is. Yeah. But to the whole team and to you, such a testament that you had this strength in a business for almost 12 months. You weren't there. Yeah. And. You were able to walk away and the business has been absolutely fine. Yeah. And like you're like, I remember you having moments of being like, oh, it feels a little bit sticky.

Like it's a bit slow. And I was like, babe, like to go through what you've gone through and have like. Very rare, sticky, slim moments is huge.

Yeah. Yeah. It's been huge. And I, I like, I obviously the team that I've had for a while now, they are like incredible. Yeah. And we just have such a really tight bond. I remember, like I always tried to check in with them.

I tried to do it on a daily, some days were harder than others when I was having a hard day.

Yeah.

And I remember even Simone. She's got two kids as well. So I remember her just, I would text her being like, you know, how you going? Is everything okay? Is there anything that you need from me? Like, and she's like wrote back saying.

Why are you even asking me this? Yeah. I was like, she's like, don't even worry about me. I'm fine. Yeah. Like, we are all good here. And I just thought, okay, you're a good chick. Yeah. Like, like I, it wasn't really like if she had have said something that was wrong, I probably would've told her to. Well, yeah.

Sort it out. Yeah. Yeah. She's

like, yeah, I don't like this. You would've been like, that's nice. Yeah. I actually don't care. I just felt like I should ask. Yeah. I

actually dunno what you want me to do with that. Yeah. But her answer and reply was just like perfect. Yeah. Yeah. And even like Lily being so young and going through what I had went through with her, like with her during her apprenticeship and everything like that. She's just like taken it in her stride. Yeah, she is like a little energizer bunny and literally the sunshine of our salon. Well, she, you actually know she is. I'm obsessed. Yeah. So come up.

For a day to work with you. Yeah. And share 'cause yeah. She's awesome. And I can't appreciate them more than Yeah. Ever. Yeah. Yeah. So you, there was another thing that

happened that was exciting in Perth. Yeah. You got engaged.

Yes, we did. Jess pop the question in front of my whole family, come over to Perth at Christmas.

And it was awesome. Like Maxie was still so unwell and everything, but just light up her day being with all her cousins and yeah, we were sitting down having Christmas lunch and yeah, next minute. Jess comes out with a little box. I remember my sister could see him 'cause I was facing the back and she started jumping up and down and I was like, what's your problem?

And I remember Brock, her husband saying, Karina, sit down. It's not your moment. And I was like, what is happening here? Yeah. Anyway, he had a ring and she, she saw the box before anyone did. And yeah. So that was a lovely way to Yeah. And a really, really tough. You know, few months that we had shared together and I think brought us really closer together.

Like, he's definitely my rock. Like I just cry and he just stands there and lets me cry and he's awesome. And when he popped that question, I was just like, this is perfect. Like, yeah. I was like, yeah, this is amazing. So yeah, we did, we got engaged yeah. In Christmas Day and wedding is in a couple of weeks now.

Yep. So, and you were like,

ah, you're just gonna get married. It's gonna be

easy. Yeah. Get my dress I want and then, yeah, that's right. And then, yeah, at that time I was just like, what's happening? Why do I feel sick and why is my period six days late? Anyway, I took a test and those two lines come up pretty god damn quickly.

I was like, oh no. At the start my mind was like, what have I done to myself? I cannot handle this. So

I love when I found out 'cause. I, you and I talk every month. Yeah. On Zoom. Yeah. But Brody and I never talk on camera. No, because Brody hates it. So it's great. 'cause over the, over the time, like sometimes I'm like, earphones in babe I'm gonna walk.

Yeah. Because you know, in those early days of my separation Yeah. You were like, yep, get out and go for a walk. Yeah. Like, talk to me while walking. So we like talking while you're puffing up walking up the hill. Yeah. I'm like, sorry babe. Or we would just like, I would be like, we're both exhausted, so you're like, I'm lying in bed, your line in bed.

We're having this great convo. We're kind of working things out. So. I remember you being like, oh yeah. And it was like the last thing expected. Oh yeah. And you know, I haven't been feeling great. And also the reason I don't feel great is 'cause I'm pregnant and I was like, turn your camera on right

now.

I know you made me turn it on. And I looked like shit because I was so sick. You were like, no. And I was like, turn the

fucking camera

on. I need to see you. No, no. I was like, oh, I just can't even right now. 'cause yeah, this pregnancy hasn't been very kind. To me at all. At all. So, yeah, still vomiting on a daily and I am currently, yeah, 24 weeks pregnant tomorrow.

Yeah. So just another thing to put in there with a wedding, a business, a daughter with leukemia and another baby, max Gil is very excited though. Yeah. Yeah. So it's gonna be, yeah, a beautiful way to finish, uh, a nice year being at home as a family as well. Yeah. Yeah. Which will be lovely.

And you were saying before, 'cause we were talking about.

Cesareans and you were like, yeah, I had to book in because then pretty much like, so like two weeks? Two weeks, yeah. After your cesarean then Maxi has like intense chemo again. Yeah. Intense chemo

back up in Brisbane at the end of November and Bab was due Yeah. mid-November. So I was like, to my ob we need to book this shit in.

Yes. Because I was like, I can't handle, I just need structure a little bit. Yeah. And if where, where I can control, I'm gonna control it. And he was just like. Absolutely. Then I can have family here. So yeah, about two weeks recovery. We will head back up to Brisbane for a couple of nights. Yeah. And Maxie will go under treatment and back on steroids for five nights.

For five days for that period.

So will you have family there with you helping you with her? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Amazing. My mum

will be there. Yeah. She is just like a champion. Here's your newborn. Yeah. Literally. I said to mom, I'm gonna just probably go walk over to the hospital, be with Maxie and you can be on newborn duty for that couple of hours.

And when I can, I will. Yeah. Come and be there. And obviously I'll be recovering from the C-section. But it, it's our life and it's what's keeping Maxi alive. Yeah. So at the end of the day, what's a little. You know, drive a peaceful drive with a child that loves the car and a newborn, not up to Brisbane with, you know, with everything else happening.

So yeah, that will be happening all in the end of November. And so if

anyone else right now thinks they've got a lot on their plate,

You don't, well, they might. But it's their hard Remember that? Remember that? Because literally if I, yeah,

it, I just know there's a perspective sometimes important though, right?

Yeah, absolutely. 'cause we let things get on top of us that potentially don't need to be on top of us. And sometimes you need to listen to things like this and you go perspective.

Yeah. And that's all it is. It's putting even to my, to the, like today with running a salon. And I do talk to Alex still on a daily basis.

I am back in the salon two days a week now, Thursday and Friday, which has been awesome, and just checking in with him a little bit more. I think just what I've gone through has taught. All these guys that, yeah, perspective life can change in a heartbeat. So let's enjoy what we do on a daily basis and en have a really good environment as well, I think is huge in a hair salon.

Yep.

We wanna leave the salon, you know,

happy you wanna go to work. I think for me that the thing I always chase and I have. Is I want to go to work. Work and walk out happier. Yeah. Like Lee says to me, you are a better version of yourself when you leave that place. Yeah. Than what you are on the days, even though you're not there.

Yeah. Like, because even though everything else can be hard, even though everything else is going on behind the scenes, I want that place to feel like my refuge. Yeah. And I want it to be theirs as well.

Yeah. And I guess a safe place. Yeah. Too. It's my safe place. Yes. And I really hope that it's their safe place.

Yeah. To just come and. Do what they love doing. Yeah. And yeah, go home being a better person from it. Yeah. And hopefully be a better person. 'cause I'm in their life.

Well your team will know that. And they would all be, if they were listening to it, they're all screaming. Yes.

Yeah. I actually got a message from Lil My Apprentice when I was driving up here from Lennox saying.

Have the best time on the podcast today. And that's just how cute she is. I was just like, thanks, Lil,

you were like, can lil come up again? I'm like, mate, Lil can move in. I love that girl.

Yeah. I was like, Lil might wanna do another day just to follow and you know, learn. It's just nice to go do another salon when you've only been in that same salon for, you know, four years.

Four and a half years now. Lil's been with me. Yep. And yeah, she's keen for it, so yeah. That'll be lovely. Yeah, she's, yeah, she's keen to set up a day with you.

I think that's important too, for anyone that's listening. If you have. Other, like hair besties in your area.

Yeah.

Swap your staff out. Sometimes.

Give them a little bit of something different and I think it gives them perspective and it makes them be appreciative of what they have. Yeah. But also just gives them different ideas and different skills and like it just gets excited. Yeah. Skill wise is awesome for her

to learn on. Like, you know, even from this day she still does like the face framing what she learned during her apprentice.

Yeah, a couple of years ago with that day. Yeah. She was like, it was the best. They were all so lovely and they're so helpful. Yeah, like,

and then I think for you even it was. Like, I remember ringing you that day and I spoke to Alex as well and I was just like, she's amazing. Yeah. She's amazing. Mm-hmm. And I was like, I love her.

Yeah. And it's so nice for someone else. It's like when someone says that these kids are nice. Yeah. You know, and you're like, oh, thank you. That's so good. I know. It's like the biggest compliment someone can give. You have nice kids. It actually is that I think the same thing applies, right? Yeah. It's so nice to have someone reach out and be like.

They're a beautiful human.

Yep. And even like in saying that Lil, with her apprenticeship, it's obviously hairdressing is three years.

Yep.

But Lil took four years to actually fully complete like her to be qualified. And I remember saying it to her once we got to that third year I was like, where do you, you know, where do you think you're at?

Are you cut? I don't think you're quite there to get signed off. And even with me saying that to her, she was like, absolutely not. Yeah. Like absolutely not. And there was, it was the fact that there was nothing wrong with her hairdressing skills. Yeah. She just took longer to click on. Yeah. And once she clicked, it was like perfect.

Yes. Like you've got this. Yeah. And everyone learns different and I just had to, you know, find ways that worked for Lil to make it click. Yes. And sometimes it was visually, sometimes it was writing it down. Sometimes it was like diaphragms. Yep. Pictures or just look and learn. Yep. And that was a huge learning curve.

Even just, you know, having a different apprentice from Alex, he was pretty like, once he learnt he was off Yeah. Kind of thing. Yeah. Whereas Lil just took that little bit more time and it was nothing against her hairdressing skills or anything because she's a beautiful hairdresser to this day. Yeah. It was just, and people were like, oh, you know, you didn't give up on her.

I'm like, absolutely not. Because if you. Ever met Lil you would never give up on her. Yeah. 'cause she's awesome. Yeah. Yeah. So even in that, you know, while I was going through everything, she was still, you know, pushing through that last fourth year of her apprentice and didn't complain once.

Yeah. And like we all say, like you and I have said constantly, three years is not enough.

No. I dunno why it's that, I dunno how we advocate to make it back to four years. Yeah. Because three years is not enough. I feel like they learn everything in the three years and then the fourth year is the year to put it into practice. Yeah. And I feel like, yeah. As salon owners, that's kind of what now we are responsible for.

Yeah. Like they're seniors, but that next year of them being seniors, they're never, they're never on the floor as senior

and we expect them 'cause they're getting paid as seniors. Yeah. Like when it comes down to Yeah. You know, making their targets and, yeah. No, but we just have to

take

that. Yeah. 'cause I don't think they're ready because they're never gonna make their target in that first.

No. Like, I think L was qualified for her fourth year at the start of this year. And I think she's just making her targets weekly in the last like three weeks. Yeah. Which I'm like, you go girl. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, it's just, yeah, it's definitely not long enough and I think it's too much pressure on them.

It, they, they much pressure. Once they get qualified, they expected to, and they're like,

overnight I have to keep saying, I say to my girls, I'm like, it's not, you are not. Meant to know everything tomorrow because it's qualified. Like I will still support you through this. Yeah. Because it's still you learning it's confidence.

Yeah. It's like gaining that confidence of being able to talk to clients and be on clients and not have that title of Apprentice. Apprentice. Yeah. So it keeps 'em safe. Yeah,

and it definitely does keep 'em safe. Yeah. Because even now, little since being qualified. She's just got like a new lease of life and it shouldn't have to take that.

Yeah. For them, I don't reckon. Yeah.

Agreed. Yeah. Yeah. But

yeah, so that's very good on her behalf and I'm Yeah. Stoked for her. Yeah. So it's good.

Amazing. Mm-hmm. That is a story. Yeah. Business advice that you'd have for someone who is going through personal times?

I would say. Just keep pushing through.

Yeah.

And speak to someone.

Yeah.

And if they don't have a business coach or anything like that, I had no idea what a business coach was ever gonna do to like my life. So if they are struggling Yeah. Reach out.

Yeah.

Because, it's not always gonna be like that.

Yeah.

And you would know that going through your personal issues, the last, you know, 12 or so months as well.

Yeah. It gets better. It does. Yeah. A hundred percent. It gets better. And I think if you can get a really good foundation, like in your salon, that's all you need. Yeah. Agreed as well. Yeah. So, and things can keep, I'm not a huge motivator speaker. You're though, mate. You're, but yeah, I don't really, yeah, I would just say just keep pushing through and ask for help.

Yeah. Because yeah, there's days where I think I could've shut up the salon.

50 billion times. Yeah. Yeah. In the

last 12 months. And I think I've even said to you, I think I might need a cell.

Yeah.

Like when I was in Perth and it was hard on my personal life and the salon was going fine. Yeah. It had nothing to do with the salon, it was more, you know, my personal life and what has gone through with little Maxi Girl and.

And everything like that. And I was just, you were like, just sit on it. Yeah. Like, let's not make any rush. Like wait till you get back. Yeah. And yeah. So yeah, that would be my advice because I think

if anyone thinks that they, if no one, if you have a salon and you've never, for a substantial amount of time, you've never wanted to sell it.

Like, yeah, you lying. Tell me your secrets.

You lying. You lie up. Oh, you can come be my, oh, sorry. They're my new business coach. Yeah, yeah.

Oh, I'd give that title up for that exact reason. Yeah. Welcome. You're now Brady's, uh, business coach. 'cause what can you do for him? Because,

because I need that in my life.

Yeah. I,

I don't think it's possible because I think we all go through. The ebbs and flows and generally it's personal life as well. Yeah. And if business feels slightly stickier and our personal lives are burning down Yeah. It's really hard to be okay on all angles. Yeah. 'cause it's a lot that we have to hold.

Yeah. But I think that was the beauty of of a relationship like ours. And I think that's why Salon Rising for us, that we've kept small. Because it's never, it was never about. It was Salon Rising was never about building this massive business. It was about connection. Yeah. And the relationship I have with you, you know, finding out those moments of when you got engaged and when you set the wedding, but also having you be on the other side of all the moments I was going through, like it's more than just.

Business, it's relationships as well. Yeah. It's like how can I help and how can I support and what does that look like? But you and I did it for each other. Yeah. So that's pretty

special. And I think it just happens seamlessly. 'cause you both kind of are on that same path. Yeah. But different Yes. At the same time.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. So it's been, yeah. And yeah, it's been a whirlwind over 12 months. And you never wish it. On anyone? No. You never, ever wanna hear those words that your child has. Cancer. And the fact that we are here today, we've pushed through and the salon doors are still opening and everyone's Yeah.

Going great in there. Yeah. Yeah, it's a instant like, breath of fresh air. Yeah. To be honest.

Yeah. And it's just one day when you're going through stuff like this is just one day at a time, would you say? Yeah, absolutely. Like I used to say to you one day at a time, how are you feeling? You're like, it's just every day at a time.

Yeah. You literally just ticked, ticked the days off. And it's still a little bit like that 'cause you know, she's still having chemotherapy and she still has cancer. Yeah. So, well.

And you're pregnant and sick.

Yeah, and I'm pregnant and sick. Like it's a lot. But yeah, I should tick, tick one day off and yeah.

When the weekend comes, I'm happy.

Yeah.

And then yeah, we start the week again.

Yeah.

Yeah. So lots happening in the next two weeks with the wedding and everything, so we're all very excited for that. Aw. Which will be lovely. I

love that. Yeah. I am so grateful a, that you are my friend and my client, but also that you were vulnerable enough to come on and share this because I think it is a huge, you know, that motherhood business part is massive because you have a business and you trying to foster that and love that, but you also.

Have a daughter with cancer and yeah. That's the be all and most important thing ever. Yeah. But you're also able to so seamlessly feel grateful and also look at other people's hearts that I think that's a true testament to who you are. Aw,

thank you.

As a person. So I'm extremely stupidly proud of you.

Thank you. And I'm so grateful that you came on and shared your story.

Yeah. Hopefully it helps someone in. Way.

Yes. Good. Yes. And if it has, and you have loved this episode, get onto Smooth's Instagram.

Yeah. A little shout out. Little

shout out. Little shout out to smooth little old Austinville. And send Brody a message because when you guys do that for us, and we always see it, you know, when we get emails and get messages about how much you're enjoying the pod or how much you're enjoying.

Mm-hmm. Different things. It's, you know, me, rich and Jen on the other side, just feeling so grateful that you took the time to do that. So again, with this episode, if you're like, this woman is amazing, then send her a little message and let her know that Oh, I love you. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah, thank you.

Thank you all for listening. And we'll see you soon.