Former Apprentice contestant Rochelle Anthony has candidly shared her experience of navigating a significant life transition, revealing she is "still processing" her divorce while managing the demands of being a working single mother. The 38-year-old salon owner, who rose to fame on the BBC business competition in 2023, describes this period as both challenging and a "nice new chapter" focused on independence and self-care.
A New Chapter After a Decade-Long Marriage
Anthony, who narrowly missed out on winning Lord Alan Sugar's investment three years ago, is now embracing a fresh start following the end of her ten-year marriage. "I'm going through a divorce currently so I'm just finding me again," she explained in an exclusive interview. "I think that's really important when you end a relationship. I was with him for a really long time, obviously married and had kids together, so I'm navigating being a single mum now and a business owner."
The entrepreneur emphasised that while this shift represents a substantial change, she views it positively as a journey towards personal growth and autonomy. "It's a lot. It's huge but it's a nice new chapter in my journey," Anthony reflected. "It's all about independence and self-care."
The Constant Juggling Act of Single Parenthood
Anthony shares two children with her ex-husband: eight-year-old son Bentley and six-year-old daughter Hallie. She admits that balancing the responsibilities of running her Milton Keynes-based salon, The Dolls House, with childcare and the emotional toll of divorce creates a "constant juggling act."
"I base my work around the children's pick-ups and collections," she revealed. "The glass does get a little empty some days but I've got such a supportive and amazing family who live round the corner from me. It's now about changing things and lowering my expectations a bit more because my kids will always come first."
Cautious Steps Towards Dating and Future Romance
When it comes to romance, Anthony admits she is not yet ready to fully re-enter the dating scene, though she has tentatively explored modern dating methods. "I downloaded an app once and had it for 24 hours," she laughed, noting the learning curve after being with her husband for thirteen years. "It was a little intense. I was swiping the wrong way and the girls at work were showing me how to do it."
Anthony emphasised her current priority is processing her divorce and focusing on her children. "I don't feel ready yet in all honesty. I still need to take a bit more time to process everything and focus on my kids. I'm almost 40, I've got hormones to contend with and it's hard to factor in time. You can't commit to a relationship if you don't have as much time as the other person wants, so I'm at a pivotal crossroads at the moment."
However, she remains open to the possibility of love in the future. "I don't see where a man could fit in just yet, but if the right person came along, it would be nice to get out there and go on some dates."
The Apprentice's Lasting Impact on Her Business
Anthony credits her appearance on The Apprentice with providing crucial support for her business during a difficult period. "Post Covid, people's spending had changed and a lot of people were finding alternatives for nail gel kits or root touch-up kits to do at home," she explained. "I had to pivot my business massively and even then, I honestly didn't think I could carry on any longer."
The television exposure proved transformative. "The show elevated my platform, gave me another source of income with social media and brought people to my salon from far and wide. So many salons were closing their doors, so to be still going five years later, it's a real pat on the back and I do owe most of that success to The Apprentice."
As Anthony continues to navigate this new chapter, she remains focused on her family, her business in Milton Keynes, and her personal journey of rediscovery following her divorce.
