To want to train as a hairdresser in my forties?

[ChicagoWest]

I'm 41, my youngest child only has a couple of years left at primary school and I was thinking of maybe having a career change once he's off to secondary school when I won't have to do school runs anymore. He'll go to and from school with DD, who will be 16 by then so can stay with her after school.

I currently have a small business that I run from home, and I love it and would keep it going, but I really miss interacting with others at work and having work 'friends'.

I've always wanted to do hairdressing but was not allowed to do it when I left school as my dad was very controlling and said I had to be a secretary and do a secretarial course at college. I've toyed with the idea of doing it a couple of times in adult life but never got round to it.

It occurred to me the other day that I would just really really love to be a hairdresser still. We don't need the money from me working so it doesn't bother me at all that I'd not earn very much for quite a while. I think I'd just really really enjoy the job, and the training of course.

Our local college does a mature students part time hairdressing course but I was just wondering if I'm too old to start training? Has anyone else retrained at my age? How did it go?

I meant to add I'd do the training now and then would hopefully be able to work part time once he's at secondary school.

Kinda my plan as well so I say go for it!

Go for it. I went to uni when I was 47. I had to put up with a lot of ageist comments, mainly from friends and relatives of my own age, but I ignored them because it was something I always wanted and my parents had never allowed me to do. Im so glad I did it and actd as a role model for my dc

Ah thanks mummypeepee. Is it hairdressing you're planning on training in too?

Thanks Nina, I'm glad to hear you went ahead and followed your dream!

Absolutely do it if that’s what you want. You’re really not even middle aged.

I'm so glad to see this, I have been thinking the exact same thing. Similar ish circumstances too, 40 this year, youngest now at school, I worked from home for years and now work part time with one other but would love to be out more, away from a desk and meeting people. Maybe eventually go mobile and work around the kids. I think it's something I'd really enjoy too. It's funny, I saw your thread and thought oh you should go for it but am too nervous to take my own advice 😂

I’m a hairdresser and I went to college age 30 after leaving it behind when I left school.

I will say, after I left college the graduate stage is a full time job, with research, YouTube watching, staying ahead of trends etc. Nothing to do with age, it’s tough in th beginning.

I went to college with older people who thought it was a cute idea to learn hair and get quick cash after leaving.

College doesn’t teach you how to deal with nightmare clients, unpredictable results, commercial timekeeping, all that is learnt after leaving on the floor.

It’s worth it, a fabulous job if you have the stomach for it.

It's a good idea, as long as you keep up with latest trends, and don't end up a 'one trick pony' hairdresser, like many of the older ones are.
All the best with it!

Do it! It's a skill for life and good hairdressers are always needed. You're never too old.