I love my clients. I want to celebrate that today. I have the great opportunity to walk into my salon and sitting in my chair are familiar faces of people waiting for me to cut their hair. We have a laugh, share a story, I talk too much, they listen, but mainly we like each other. It's a really nice way to make a living.
I also have the great fortune to continually enjoy new clients. 9 times out of 10 they are wonderfully pleasant. They are excited for change, thrilled to be sitting there, and I have the chance to "work my magic," seeing them leave happier than when they sat down. AND they pay me for it. What a deal!
I need to mention Marilyn here. Marilyn has been a regular client of mine for several years. She's attractive and witty, smart and savvy, and she likes to put me in my place. Wherever that is. I suppose because I like to egg it on.
"Do you think it's a little long right there?" she'll ask.
"Well, how about I just remove a hunk and we'll see," I'll respond.
She pretends she's nervous I'm not paying attention, and I pretend I'm not paying attention, and we both enjoy the rapport.
She always leaves happy, and I am always pleased to see her in 5 weeks.
Eileen and her husband are regulars. I scare her every time she's not looking and she always jumps then laughs, even though its kind of irritating. We catch up more frequently than I see most of my family and the majority of my friends. They offer a sense of humor, insight, I get to trim their hair, share a laugh, and off they go, happy. On to my next client.
It's truly a good gig. I'm lucky to love my job. I'm happy to share it with people who love being a part of me doing my job. There was a time I wouldn't call myself a hairdresser. I was "a salon manger," or an "image designer." When people asked what I do I'd say "I'm in the beauty business, or I own a salon..."
I don't often express it, but, I love being a beauty operator. I'm lucky to be a hairdresser. I'm happy to do what I love, love what I do.
4 Comments
Christopher,
I have read and enjoyed your book, have gotten lots of great ideas and inspiration!
I have decided to cut my long/layered hair into a chin length bob (sooo stepping out of my comfort zone here...) I'm 54, and have been wearing my hair the same for about 30 years - I find myself pulling it back most of the time now, which I believe is reason to cut it.
While I would love to have you do it - it's a little outside of my $reach. Is there another stylist in your salon that you would particularly recommend for me? In addition to the cut, I will get blonde highlights.
Thanks for any tips you can give me - I don't have the confidence in my current stylist, and don't have the courage to just walk into a salon and take my chances.
Thanks Christopher - following you on FB!
Jennifer
Try Carrie. I think you'll be very pleased.
Very few things can compare with loving what you do. It's a gift, a blessing, and also a decision to keep remembering the good moments and not getting bogged down by the mundane, or negative events.
True true true. Easy to say, less easy to do, but just saying it...does help! Thanks, Silver Bell Girl!