The Reality Of Being A 40+ Creative Woman In Business.

There is something powerful about being a 40+ creative woman in business.

You’re no longer chasing validation.

You’re no longer copying trends.

You’re no longer saying YES to things that don’t align.

You’re building with intention. 

Owning who YOU are.

My psychologist once told me, women in their 40’s develop a “F*@k It Gene.”

It took me a while to grow mine.

But once it arrived ? Everything sharpened.

I’ve never felt more like myself .

I once heard that being in your 40’s is like becoming who you were at 15 again, but actually loving her this time. 

I love this !!

EXPERIENCE CHANGES EVERYTHING.

In your 20’s you hustle.

In your 30’s you prove yourself .

In your 40’s you refine. 

Confidence at this stage doesn’t come from ego, it comes from evidence.

 Servicing thousands of clients that have come through your chair. Colour corrections that made you sweat bullets, tested your skills and your nervous system. (Some days I felt like a cigarette and I don’t even smoke !! )

Business decisions that don’t always land.

And boundaries? I’m still learning these at my age.

Women often learn those later than we should.

Even when things feel uncomfortable, I’ve learnt to sit in it.

Discomfort is usually a sign that growth is happening.

I don’t create vivid colour to be loud. It was very uncomfortable for me at first. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and tested my skills. Lots of testing behind the scene. Lots of free work.

It taught me to create with :

-Placement

-Balance

-Intention

-Elegance.

That difference right there ? That’s maturity.

Creativity in your 40’s isn’t chaotic.

It’s controlled, strategic, refined.

There is a shift that happens when you realise,

-Time is valuable 

-Energy is finite 

-Talent deserves compensation.

-You build a business that supports your life - Not drain it.

REINVENTION ISN’T A CRISIS IT’S EVOLUTION .

Midlife is often framed as something to fear. It can be scary!

But, I see it as refinement.

-A new skill

-A new found confidence 

-A conscious pivot.

You’re not starting over. You are carrying on from the person you were before.

I began as an apprentice. I spent 14 years in salons, moved locations, worked in shopping centres and boutique shopping strips.

I hustled bridal work before the sun came up on the weekends, all while juggling becoming a new mum.

This is when everything shifted. I realised a wanted presence as much as success .

That’s when Ivory Rose Hair was born.

What started as a 2 day week from my private home studio quickly grew into 5 days a week. (Which could grow into 10 days a week if I let it!)

It could easily grow into further business ventures. But, growth without boundaries isn’t freedom.  That’s the beauty of working for myself. That is my design to create.

Discipline around time management was a tough lesson to learn.

Working from a private home based salon required structure.

-Clear working hours.

-A designated studio space .

-A conscious switch off mode.

When I’m in the studio I’m all in. When the lights go off I’m home.

Over the years I’ve been a brand ambassador, an educator, competitor, an employee.

Some opportunities didn’t feel aligned. Some taught me hard lessons.

At the time I felt so much uncertainty and confusion.

Looking back it was clarity.

I’m now self employed and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Every “NO” has shaped the business I now run with purpose and intention,

Creative - Grounded - Unapologetic - Profitable. 

That’s the power of being a 40+ creative woman in business. You get to create your own pathway. You get to build what best suits YOU.

You get to design your own path.

If you’re a stylist ready to refine your craft and step into your next creative level- my masterclasses  are built for exactly that. 

They are a place for creativity with no limits. A place to explore your art form and push yourself out of your comfort zone. A chance to try something new in a safe space.

Techniques you can take away to implement and transfer into your own salon. So you can create magical colours for your clients.

Growth doesn’t stop at 40.

It only gets sharper.

HaleyIvory Rose