In a move that highlights the difficult choices facing small business owners during health crises, Newcastle entrepreneur Emma Johnson has made the emotional decision to close her beloved Pony Hair Studio after nine years of operation.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Emma Johnson received a stage four HER2 breast cancer diagnosis in January 2025 that would ultimately force her to reconsider her business future. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and liver, creating an urgent health situation requiring immediate attention and lifestyle changes.
The 43-year-old business owner has spent much of this year traveling between Australia and Mexico for alternative treatments not available locally. "I've obviously put everything into this and I've changed my whole lifestyle," Ms Johnson explained, noting the controversial nature of the overseas clinic she attends.
Choosing Health Over Business
Facing the demanding Christmas period that typically brings long hours and increased stress to hair salons, Johnson realized she couldn't maintain both her health recovery and business operations. "It was either I choose staying alive or keeping my business, and obviously being alive is more important than a business," she stated with raw honesty.
Keeping stress levels low has become critical to her healing process, making the high-pressure environment of business ownership incompatible with her health needs. "Work has been really stressful while trying to battle cancer, changing my life and then trying to run a business," Johnson shared.
Community Support During Difficult Times
The Newcastle community has demonstrated remarkable support for Johnson throughout her cancer journey. A GoFundMe campaign established to assist with medical expenses and living costs has raised over $71,000, a figure that left the business owner both humbled and grateful.
"I couldn't believe it," Johnson said of the community's generous response. "I'm sure people will understand the reasons for closing. I'm going to miss everybody, going in every day and seeing the regular faces - it was a hard decision."
Looking toward an uncertain future, Johnson remains focused on her recovery. "I'm concentrating on not being stressed, getting through this time, grieving Pony and getting my health back, and then 2026 we'll see what happens," she said.
The Junction-based salon owner described feeling "heartbroken" but confident in her decision, emphasizing that while she's processing the loss of her business, she cherishes the "most amazing" memories created within the salon walls over nearly a decade of service to the Newcastle community.
