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CJ’s gift of taking risks She’s 23, married, has a baby, a house, her own business and has just been named the ACT’s young businesswoman of the year. KATHRYN VUKOVLJAK talks to a remarkable young women unafraid to take risks. “I FELT like I’d won a Logie,” laughs Carly-Jane Tozer, of her win of the Young Business Women’s Award at the recent ACT businesswomen’s awards. “It was a dream come true.” Carly-Jane, 23, owner of hair and beauty salon CJ’s Style, will head to Melbourne in November to compete nationally in her category. “I’m quite nervous about that, actually,” she says. It’s hard to believe that anything could make the confident, determined Carly-Jane nervous. She says she knew when she was 12 that she’d be a hairdresser, and by 14, she wanted to open her own salon. She did so at 20, with the support of her parents and husband, after completing her apprenticeship. CJ’s Style, at Florey shops, now has nine full-time, casual and contract employees. “I felt the industry didn’t have the standard I could provide,” she says. “Managing a team has been a learning
curve, especially when my staff are older than me, but I try to lead by example. I’m out there scrubbing the floor as much as the other girls.” As the youngest award finalist in the country, something she’s quite rightly proud of, Carly-Jane admits she sometimes feels she’s missing out on being young. “I was never a teen without a care in the world, I was a teen with a plan,” she says. “Sometimes I want to live it up, drive off with my friends and just be 23! But it’s been worth all the hard work. “I have a beautiful home, my own salon, my husband and my wonderful little boy, Jackson, who’s 19 months. ”I think it’s all about just going with life, and letting good things happen to you,” she says. “I believe in taking risks – the best things in life happen when you take risks.” Carly-Jane proved her theory in April when she invited her
Carly-Jane Tozer with 19-month-old Jackson… “I believe in taking risks – the best things in life happen when you take risks.” Photo by Silas clients to “pay what you think it’s worth”. “We had a great response, and only three people paid less than the asking price,” she says. “Some paid more as they felt we gave better value for money than other salons. It was risky, and I love that.” The secret to her success? “Confidence in myself,” she says firmly. “That and staying focused, never giving up and not settling for second best.” Carly-Jane says she had a
hard time while growing up, suffering an eating disorder, lack of self-esteem, depression, sexual abuse and a suicide attempt. “I believe I was given a second chance at life, and this became my driving force,” she says. “I always think of tomorrow, I don’t look back. “It wasn’t until the award that I really stopped and reflected on what I’ve achieved, and thought, you know, I’ve done alright.”
CityNews October 28-November 3