Launceston hairdresser Stephen Roney started his apprenticeship at age 15, before opening his first salon in Kings Meadows at just 19.
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He said it's hard to believe his salon, now based in Brisbane Street, is celebrating 50 years of operation.
"I love the job, I've been very proud of what we've done over the 50 years," Mr Roney said.
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Mr Roney started his salon, aptly named Stephen Roney Hair and Beauty, in what he described as a "different era" in 1970.
Mr Roney said the hairdressing industry in Tasmania had seen significant change since he first started - once viewed as a luxury for some, now considered essential for many.
"Back when I started, nobody really went to the hairdresser - not even some of my friends," he said.
"Now everyone - men, women, children, sees a hairdresser. That's why there are so many of us."
Early on in the 1970s, the salon transformed from a "shampoo and set" salon to a cut and blow-dry salon, which Mr Roney described as being almost controversial at the time.
"That was a big move in those days, because Launceston wasn't really ready for it to be honest," he said.
"Obviously there's lots of people like us now, but we were the first ones to do that, probably in Tasmania."
Another thing Mr Roney said had changed was how people wear their hair. As times have changed, so have styles - but one that will never go out of style according to Stephen is long hair on women.
"It's lovely to see long hair bridge that time-span," Mr Roney said.
"But I love cutting hair, so I've loved all the transformations from the Sassoon era in the 1970s to all of the different haircuts I do for clients."
The salon has seen a lot of success during its 50 years, including at hairdressing competitions.
For Mr Roney, it's not the success of his salon that he sees as the highlight of his career, but the clients he serves daily.
"I still have some original clients, I have clients that I did before I had my own business when I was an apprentice," Mr Roney said.
"I just love them. I think they're fabulous. They know as much about me as I know about them. We're all great friends."
Another highlight for Mr Roney is working at the business alongside his wife Jill, who he described as the "backstop for the business".
"She is my best friend, as well as my partner in life. She works alongside me here 25-30 hours a week. She has been a great support, " Mr Roney said.
And when asked his opinion on mullets, after a long pause Stephen answered:
"There's a time and place for the modern mullet, that's all I'll say."
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