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Amazing Grace: Young entrepreneur has hair fashion all wrapped up

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She’s been sewing more than two dozen scrunchies and headwraps every day for the past two years.

When she completes a hundred, in a colour palette that spans the rainbow, 17-year-old Grace Keegan sells the fashionable hair accessories at markets across the Hunter region.

Her business is called Gracie’s, and although it’s where the Port Stephens teen showcases her talents, it is just one of the four jobs she currently juggles every week.

Driven, determined, and disciplined are words the young entrepreneur uses to describe herself.

She has goals well beyond her years.

At this rate, her nan Lorraine says, she’ll be purchasing her first home before she’s legally declared an adult.

But it’s not all for her own advancement.

Six months ago when her aunt Rachael was diagnosed with cancer and lost her hair during chemotherapy, Grace began sewing full-coverage head wraps to help her feel comfortable yet stylish. 

“I love having a purpose,” Grace says.

“I think I always have.

“I love to get up in the mornings and know I have some amazing things I can achieve.”

After she left school before her 17th birthday because she believes it “doesn’t suit everyone”, Grace now commits more time and energy to pursuing her dream of running a successful business.

It’s a dream she’s held since she launched Gracie’s when she was 15 – that’s when she sold two dozen scrunchies at her inaugural pre-Christmas market at Fly Point.

“Mum and I had hand sewed all the scrunchies while we watched my brothers at the skatepark. It took us ages,” she said.

“But, they all sold, and that made me determined to make more.”

At 15 she’d convinced her mum Donna that she’d be an invaluable asset if allowed to accompany her and her nan on a buying trip to Italy.

Grace’s single mother is the brainchild behind ladies clothing stores Donna Donna.

“I can be pretty persuasive,” Grace told Newcastle Weekly.

“I got in at the last minute after I told mum I could do all the bar-coding for her.”

During the two-week trip the trio were photographed wearing headwraps they’d purchased at a market, instantly sparking requests from friends and family back home.

Grace immediately began cutting the hems off long skirts she was prone to wearing, in order to experiment with fabric and wire headwraps.

They were a hit.

She now sells at least 100 hair accessories at each market, driven by an inherited instinct.

“Nan had a tough upbringing, she’s had to work really hard to get where she is, and mum’s the same, so I guess that’s where it comes from,” Grace says.

And her mantra is wise beyond her years.

“I’m a big believer of whatever life throws at you it’s for a reason and everything that comes your way you can tackle as long as you think you’re going to be able to.”

Now Grace finds her energy and drive by eating healthy and regular exercise. In fact in a few weeks she’ll demonstrate her discipline by competing in a body-building figure fitness competition.

“I’ve always liked working,” she says.

“I’m quite organised. I have a planner and everything is planned out to the minute. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“When I want something I really go for it.”

So what’s next?

“I’m hoping to buy my first home. I’ve saved up the deposit I just need to work out the finances.”

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