The following story which I want to share with you has a very deep meaning to me.

Semifinalist:
Nicolett Nemeth
Haar & Seele
Kaiseraugasse 6/5/4
Gramatneusiedl 2440
Austria

Story:
I decided to help women in need who ran away from a mentally and physically abusive relationship. Some of them have children, some are alone but most importantly, all of them found a new place to live in safety and in a peaceful environment.

Before I tell you the whole story of my actions, I would like to introduce myself first. I am Nicolett Nemeth, mother of 2 kids and a passionate self-employed hairdresser for almost a decade now.

My own story started a few years ago, when my children were at the age of 3 and 5. Around that time I was in a relationship and decided to open up my own salon and become my own boss. During that period in my life I put all my energy into fulfilling my dream and be a good mother at the same time.

Right after the big opening of my salon my my longtime partner broke up with me and there I was: single mother of two precious little kids and my own business. I had no one I could lean on. Both of my parents died a long time ago and I had no partner anymore. Everything I had were my kids and one single thought which gave me so much hope. It was the fact that I knew there was a women‘s shelter in Vienna. I kept telling myself that I have to try it on my own and if I fail I have the back of the Women’s shelter. All my scary thoughts about failing and gliding into huge debts were gone. My „safe haven“ was the thought of this shelter and that even I, who was standing alone with no family except my kids, would have a safe place to stay.

When I started working in the salon I heard from an initiative which is called „rent a granny“. There was this fantastic elderly woman who used to look after my kids while I was working many over hours in order to pay back the debts. It took me some time but I managed to handle the situation very well. Here I am today – still single mother of two children and a successful business woman. The last years had really been a rollercoaster to me but only because I knew that even if I fail, this women‘s shelter exists and will back me and my kids up with a warm home and a safe place to stay.

Today, I am far away from existential fear but my thoughts are still with this shelter. Why? Because the lives of these women matter a lot to me. All these women are victims of physical or psychological abusiveness who‘s last hope was this place. The contribution of the staff in these houses is invaluable and I also wanted to make a contribution. This is why I decided to visit the ladies and make them feel special. I contacted the women’s shelter and I told them I would come for one day and make everyone’s hair for free. Within a very short period of time a lot of women asked for a fresh hair cut and I was even thinking of asking a few more Kevin Murphy stylists to join and help me. Luckily I managed this on my own with the help of a friend. It was a huge success and the women felt so happy. After a long Time of humiliation and violence these ladies felt precious and special.

It was such a joy for me too and I really enjoyed the company of the ladies, that we even decided to make a beauty day every 3 months. The day was even topped because I got the chance to cut also the children‘s hair as well. It was a pleasure to me because I could also put a smile on their faces.

We took some pictures but all these women are secretly in this shelter, so we tried to hide their faces. I must not even tell you where exactly this place is because of safety reasons. All I can say is that I will continue to visit these women and try to create some special moments for them with a single hair cut again. If I get more requests and need help, I will definitely ask some of my KM colleagues in and around Vienna to help me and let’s see, maybe we start a KM WOMEN‘S DAY in Austria every year.

Timing:
It happened in July 2021.