I suppose I was like every other small-town country kid, playing outside in the dirt until the mosquitoes came out, working on the family farm, and learning how to drive in the front paddock. I remember some key core memories from my childhood – mostly these revolved around saving some sort of animal in distress and leaping into action, regardless of the species.

This triggered my career ambitions early and I had always wanted to be a Vet or work with animals in some sort of capacity, but then I thought about the animals I would lose or perhaps not be able to save, so I changed my mind on that one and left career prospects to the back of my mind. Fast forward to high school I wasn’t really a sporty kid – I LOVED the arts (I was always drawing and creating something), biology, and chemistry – quite fitting that those key subjects play a big part in my current role now.

In 2008 came my first big life event, my family and I moved to North Wales in the UK! I have family connections in England and Wales, so had visited there before I moved – living there in total for 11 years in a seaside town called Llandudno! A big chunk of my life was spent outside of Australia, where I was lucky to be able to travel to different countries, there are still so many places on my list that I would love to see! In 2010 I attended the local college and jumped into my first ever Beauty Course, with the arty background, I had always had an interest in makeup artistry and nail art so this was perfect for me. I learned everything from waxing, manicures, pedicures, and lash perming – hands up if you remember the white rods! I really enjoyed doing treatments and making people feel good, so I started gaining a small client base, mainly doing mobile beauty treatments whilst working alongside my main role in Mental Health, eventually a few years down the track, I left my role in Mental Health and focused solely on Beauty where I invested in further courses for lash extensions, wedding makeup, nail art, brow lamination, volume lashes, dermaplaning, and facials – you can never stop learning.

2012 saw the most life-changing event of all. The birth of my little girl Ava. Becoming a parent is without a doubt one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences I have been blessed with. I hope that I am able to continue to be a strong role model and positive influence for her and to let her know that there may be small blips on your journey, but there is always something truly exciting on the road ahead. After some time, I had begun renting a space in 2018 in a great salon owned by one of my Tutors – these ladies are incredible and truly inspirational. I learned so much more about the industry and I loved every second of it – then covid happened. As I was self-employed and couldn’t work, I felt really lost, like many other perhaps at the time.

In 2020 we moved back home to Australia! Quarantine was an experience. I had second thoughts about returning back home it became a little overwhelming, after spending so much time in North Wales, making many memories, and building a life. These huge adjustments to come for our family was going to be hard but I am so incredibly glad I decided to do it!

I had originally applied for a dispatch role here at Elleebana HQ however was fortunate to be able to land the role as an Elleebana Educator here in Queensland. I feel this was the piece of the puzzle I was missing! Joining the Elleebana family came at a point in my life where I needed it. It gave me purpose again; it provided me with challenges and a support system that I was looking for to further grow and begin to believe in myself. I have been able to meet so many amazing, passionate people and learn some incredible new things. Elleebana has really provided me with a key to unlock the future, to be able to gain so many opportunities and make some new incredible memories, not only for me but for my daughter Ava as well – so to Otto and Zoe I am truly thankful.

2023 is going to be another spectacular year!