What happens when life throws you the unimaginable and you’re still responsible for a business and a team?

In this raw and deeply moving episode, Samara sits down with Brodie, owner of Smooth Hair in Alstonville, who opens up about the most challenging year of her life.

What began as a five week family holiday turned into a nine month stay in Perth after her 2 year old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. From that moment, Brodie was thrust into balancing motherhood, cancer, and running a salon from 4,000km away.

She shares how she kept her business not just afloat, but thriving. The loyalty and dedication of her team, and the perspective shifts that have transformed how she leads.

💡 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Brodie's salon stayed afloat while she was away for nearly a year
• The raw reality of parenting a child through chemotherapy
• Lessons in leadership, loyalty, and letting go
• The importance of building a business with deep roots and real relationships

This is more than a business conversation, it’s a powerful story of resilience, perspective, and the strength it takes to lead in your hardest season.

Timestamps

00:00 Episode Summary

01:27 Meet Brody from Smooth Hair

02:20 The Journey to Smooth Hair

07:12 Building a Supportive Salon Family

12:52 The Decision to Move to Perth

15:10 Maxie's Health Crisis

19:50 Facing Leukemia: A Mother's Perspective

24:05 Navigating Business and Personal Challenges

28:10 The Struggles of Parenting a Sick Child

29:01 Finding Community in Unexpected Places

30:31 Returning Home and Resuming Normalcy

33:00 Balancing Work and Personal Life

37:28 A Surprise Engagement

38:44 Expecting a New Baby

42:16 Managing a Business Through Personal Challenges

48:17 The Importance of Support and Resilience

52:20 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Mentioned in this episode:

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💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports

We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:

➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.

➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.

It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.

Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇

MCM

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

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➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.

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