At nine years old, Brianna Levein’s interest in doing hairstyles kept her glued to her mother as she braided clients’ hair.

Now, just weeks after graduating from St Catherine High School, the 17-year-old has opened her own salon, determined to create a different future for herself while learning from the sacrifices and struggles her mother endured.

“When I was in primary school I used to watch my mother do hair. I was just curious about doing it and I loved how it looked neat when she finished,” said Brianna.