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 Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Unravelling: The Diary of a Midlife Mess. If something resonated with you today, I’d love to hear your thoughts, come join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @theglowupguide_au or visit sharonwilkesburt.com for more resources and support. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you’re enjoying the journey so far!
