"I've got a six-year-old and a 10-year-old, and they're the strong things in my life. They continually motivate me in my hairdressing and  work, because I think that kids need inspired and inspiring parents to keep them going. I always knew I was going into hairdressing. For me, it's about nurturing and being creative. The creative part is the easiest because it just comes effortlessly now.

 

 

But that's because I have the love and support from my family that allows me to take all the hairdressing opportunities that are offered to me. If I have to go overseas for one day, I'll do it. If I have to travel to Paris to do a show, I'll do it. If Collette [Dinnigan] calls me to go to Melbourne overnight, I'll do it.

 

I'm always coming home from work excited, with something new to tell my kids. It makes them feel very involved. They know that Mummy has a pretty interesting life, and that makes them interesting kids. Every Sunday is our day to spend together. It's not a casual thing - the boys look forward to having me for the whole day, and we just go nuts together, having fun and going places.

 

The boys are growing up, thinking, `Well, Mummy works really hard at her hairdressing and she really loves what she does', and I think that is giving them a good grounding for the future. They can see I am continually inspired by my work. My own parents would always take me to work with them so I could see the hard work they did. 

 

They taught me that it's up to you whether you want to work hard or not, but that working hard takes you to a different level of your life. I think that was a pretty cool lesson for them to pass on to us.

 

My mother and my mother-in-law are hugely supportive. Along with my grandmother and my sister, they help me with my children - not only by babysitting, but really giving them a lot of special love. They cook the best food for them, play with them, take them to the beach while on hairdressing duties . 

 

Mum and Dad weren't really there for us in that sort of a way because they were hairdressing and working, but that extra love they give my sons is just beautiful. Growing up with your grandmother makes you love a different way, too. The love my granny and I have has made me grow up loving other people, not becoming self-centred, with a great capacity for understanding. I know my boys will have that."