With a $2 tip, Jennifer Monk has a lifetime of hairdressing memories to look back on.

The Hair Factory at Bryndwr will celebrate its 40th anniversary in April, bringing back fond memories for Monk and her clients, who include 101-year-old Margaret Mabin.

Monk, who was then 23 years old, purchased the salon, fulfilling a lifelong dream she'd had since leaving school at the age of 17 to pursue a career as a hairdresser.

It was clear to me that it would provide me with a source of income for as long as I wanted, she explained, recalling how she had purchased the property entirely by chance.

Approximately two years had passed since Monk and two other hairdressing colleagues arrived in Australia when they received a $2 tip.

As a result, she explained, the remainder was spent on a lottery ticket.

Their winning Sydney State Lottery ticket enabled Monk to re-open The Hair Factory in her hometown, which she had previously closed.

Since then, she has washed, colored, cut, clipped, and dried thousands of clients' locks while learning about their personal lives as well as their hair.

Someone may say something because they are aware that you are not familiar with all of their friends and relatives, Monk continued.

She remarked that her elderly clients simply tell me about their lives, which she found to be fascinating.

There is a family with four generations and another family with only three generations.

Kevin Meates, a former All Blacks forward, as well as Crusaders players, are among her customers..

You begin to build a following of people who admire you, and you begin to make friends with them not only at work, but also outside of the workplace. I've been fortunate enough to have a wonderful customer.

Margaret has been a client of the salon since it first opened its doors.

According to her, I've known her since she was a small child.

She recalled going to Monk's salon for a simple trim in the past, and she said she continues to receive that low-maintenance treatment today.

Margaret maintains that she has never dyed her hair and that she has always worn it short, owing to her preference for the style during the heyday of Eton cropping. Additionally, Margaret grooms herself in an economical manner, using whatever soap she happens to have on hand and avoiding the use of shampoo or conditioner.

Because there were none available when I was growing up, everyone resorted to using Sunlight soap instead. It wasn't possible to use natural therapies back then, and who knows what they use now, "Margaret."

And it doesn't appear to have caused any harm.

Monk went on to say that she has lovely hair with a wave that always sits nicely.

The two women enjoy catching up on their lives, and they have celebrated many family milestones together, such as weddings and anniversaries, in addition to hair appointments.