It has driven her, and she has finally made the cut in what she says is the most prestigious competition for hairdressers in the country, the New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year Award.
The owner of Zaibatsu Hair Art, in St Clair, is one of five finalists in the award, and the only finalist not from Auckland.
Ms Smith said she had worked hard to improve herself as a stylist and successful business owner.
Over the years, she had achieved success as a guest artist/educator, worked in New Zealand Fashion Week and industry shows in Australia, had her hair styles published in international magazines, and won more than 40 salon awards for styling, cutting and photography.
But being selected as a finalist in the hairdresser of the year award had been one of the highlights of her career, she said.
''I think just being picked by the international judges over so many entrants makes it quite prestigious.
''Winning would be a bonus.''
Ms Smith had to submit a collection of photos of her work, and will travel to Auckland for the awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel on March 1.
She described the hair styles she has submitted as ''high fashion. It's not what walks out of a salon every day''.
''It's all pre-judged, so now it's just a matter of waiting with fingers crossed,'' she said.
