Looking for a New Year career change? Local business owner shows how it’s done
As more Australians reassess their careers and look for new opportunities in 2026, one local business owner is showing how a major change in direction can lead to unexpected success even in an industry she had never worked in before.
After almost 20 years in marketing and finance, Catherine Denney joined a growing wave of professionals leaving traditional corporate roles in search of flexibility, purpose and community connection. In 2022, she purchased the Just Cuts salon in Penrith, a move that has since grown into a four-salon network spanning Bathurst, Orange and Port Macquarie.
“I wanted a career that allowed me to work for myself while staying connected to my community,” she said. “You don’t need industry experience to run a great business-leadership and people skills take you a long way.”
Her transition comes at a time when franchising is attracting record numbers of career-changers who are seeking business ownership without the uncertainty of starting from scratch. Her Penrith salon has undergone a full refurbishment, experienced strong sales growth, and built a loyal client base anchored by long-term local Stylists.
She believes the key to that success is focusing on the wellbeing of her team.
“When your team feels supported, clients feel it too,” she said. “That’s been at the heart of everything we’ve done.”
For locals, her story is a reminder that meaningful career changes are possible at any stage and that small business ownership can offer a pathway for people who want stability, autonomy and a stronger connection to their community.
“It’s a big step, but it’s one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made,” she said. “I hope more people realise how much opportunity exists right here in our community.”
The franchising sector continues to grow as more Australians explore alternative career pathways, with service-based businesses like hairdressing attracting new entrants who value the mix of established systems, training and community engagement.
Catherine emphasises the ongoing guidance available through the Just Cuts network. “Whether it’s calling another owner or the Academy team, there’s always someone willing to share ideas, offer guidance, or troubleshoot a challenge. Running a business alone can be isolating, but in this network you’re never operating in a vacuum.”
As demand for convenient, affordable, no-appointment hair services continues to rise, Just Cuts is expanding its footprint and welcoming new franchise partners across the region. With more than 230 salons globally, comprehensive training, national marketing support and exclusive access to the JUSTICE Haircare range, the network offers a strong foundation for both first-time business owners and experienced operators seeking to expand their portfolio.
For more information on Just Cuts franchising opportunities visit https://franchising.justcuts.com/franchising-opportunities
For media enquiries, please contact Sari-Elle Kraemer atskraemer@alphaconsulting.global or 0407 284 457
More about Just Cuts:
Just for you. Since 1982.
In 1982, Denis McFadden had to wait three months to vacate a lease he no longer needed, as he had already moved his Sydney salon business. To keep things simple, he decided to hold a promotion offering a “no-appointment” $7 Style Cut for all Clients.
The response was outstanding, and that day marked the moment the Just Cuts brand was born.
Just Cuts is an Australian hairdressing franchise that bridges the gap between a barber and a high-end hair salon. With Salons in every state of Australia, on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand and within the United Kingdom, it is the largest hairdressing company from the Southern Hemisphere.
Based on a fixed-price, no-appointment system, Just Cuts offers Clients affordable haircuts from fully qualified hairdressers and performs over 100,000 Style Cuts per week across the globe.
For more information: justcuts.com