From hairdresser to business owner

Esme Pye was 16 years old when she left Australia for the United Kingdom to be a hairdressing apprentice, but she missed the sunshine so returned home before completing the apprenticeship.

Once back in Australia, she realised she also missed hairdressing and it was only after a visit to Charles Darwin University (CDU) Alice Springs campus she became determined to do both, 

Esme chose a non-traditional path in her hairdressing career.  Instead of an apprenticeship, she studied a hairdressing course and started her own business.

To begin her career journey, Esme met the CDU TAFE hairdressing Lecture Julia Braddon and they sat down and looked at her study options. 

Having young kids at home, a partner who runs his own business the idea of going back to being an apprentice didn’t feel right for Esme, that was when she learned at CDU TAFE, she had the choice of studying hairdressing full time to obtain a Certificate III in Hairdressing.

“Julia was open and honest about my study options and understood my desire to become a certified hairdresser,” Esme said. 

“I started full time in January 2023, and now not even two years later, I have graduated as a certified hairdresser, I have launched my own business, and I am looking at ways that I can give back to the community.”

Last year Esme was invited to participate in a wellbeing expo in Yuendumu as part of the remote community’s NAIDOC week celebrations, she said it was the first time she had spent time away from the kids but it was an invaluable experience that reminded her of the passion and impact her profession can have. 

“I am a firm believer that if we look good, we can feel good, and watching people’s faces light up after they had their first blow wave, or first haircut in over a year, this is one of the reasons I love doing what I do, it makes people smile,” Esme said.

This year Esme and her business Hair Bar Central partook in Yuendumu’s NAIDOC week festivities again this year.

This time Esme also brought along her part-time employee Natasha Samphire, who is also a CDU Certificate III hairdressing student. 

“I think giving back to the community is important so I will keep looking at how we can offer our services to the community throughout the year,” she said. 

Although Esme is grateful for these additional opportunities, she recognises it hasn’t always been easy, having to juggle full time study, a family and still gain practical experience to become a qualified hairdresser. 

Esme kept telling herself it was only going to be for a short amount of time. 

“The practical training experience and support that I received from the facilities at CDU and Julia was second to none, they set me up for success and helped me build my confidence in the industry,” Esme said. 

At CDU Alice Springs campus the Hair and Beauty Salon is open three days a week to the public, although most of Esme’s practical skills and training was nurtured on campus she still had to volunteer at local salons to ensure she had enough practical experience to complete the practical skills assessments as part of her qualification. 

In June 2024, Esme graduated at the Alice Springs Graduation and received the University Medal for Vocational and Education and Training (VET) based on her outstanding academic performance.