WHEN Karen Usher bought salon Talk'n'Heads 20 years ago, she had no idea she would still be cutting hair two decades later - let alone with her daughter Jessie Banks.

"I bought the shop in February 1992 and had Jessie in October 1993," she said.

"I really wasn't looking to own a business."

But with a deal too good to refuse she took on the challenge and said her highlight was reaching the 20-year milestone.

"And training the girls, seeing them come in and not know anything and growing," she said.

Among those was daughter Jessie, and Mrs Usher said she would finish her training in October.

"I can't believe it, I have come 20 years along and I look over and she is cutting hair," Mrs Usher said.

Despite owning Talk'n'Heads for almost half of her life - it was clear Mrs Usher still loves her job.

"My favourite thing is when you do someone's hair and they walk out of the door and feel good about themselves," she said.

And while many businesses struggled to make through their first year, Mrs Usher said the key to her success was good old-fashioned customer service - which even included Jessie driving home a customer on her day off - and of course great haircutting.

She celebrated the milestone by refurbishing the shop.

"We needed to create more space, there are nine of us here now," she said.

The busy salon hasn't stopped Mrs Usher from raising her three kids and like any working mother, she said it wasn't easy.

"I have my parents, it's the great family support," she said.