Some essential background about me; my birth name is Maria; I was born on 5th August.

My star or zodiac sign is Leo and the Ox in the Chinese Zodiac.

I have two siblings, one older and one younger. My family background is Italian.

I completed my Year 10 school certificate to start my new path

of becoming a hairdresser, which has been my longtime dream.

Four years later, I was a Qualified Hairdresser, and I married my high school sweetheart.

Some of the salons I have worked in are OzHair in the QVB, Terry's at Burwood,

and I also owned my hairdressing salon right in the heart of Five Dock Sydney.

From the years 2015-2021, I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease.

The severity of this illness has kept me housebound for 6 years until about a year ago.

(please see my blog "My Illness, My Curse"

https://www.askmaia.com.au/post/ménières-disease for more information).

I  am still not able to work out in the world, and I am missing hairdressing too much.

So...I decided to open a mini salon right in my home and work at my own pace.