 Stylist stays encouraged though late, no-show clients test her patience
Lois strolled into the salon with a pep in her step in anticipation of a full appointment book of clients for the day. Two years past beauty school graduation, Lois continually struggles to build her client roster.
While putting away her personal belongings at her station, she attempted to get the attention of her fellow stylist, Tina, at the next station.
"My first client arrives at 10:30 a.m. and I will be working nonstop all day," Lois said with the eagerness of a rookie.
"Good for you," Tina smiled. "I told you that it would just be a matter of time."
"Yup," Lois said as she felt her phone in her pocket vibrate. She answered the phone in her most professional voice, "Yes, this is Lois." Opening her appointment book, Lois scanned through the list of clients for the day. "No, I am completely booked today. Would you like to come in tomorrow at that time?" Lois nodded as she penciled in a new client for the next day.
"I've got you down for tomorrow. Uh, huh. And thank you." Lois hung up snapping her book shut. A smile stretched across her face. "I am on a roll!"
Five minutes before she expected her first client, her phone buzzes again. This time it's her 10:30 appointment. "So you need to reschedule," Lois said into her phone. She listened for about a minute and said, "Next week at the same time is fine."
"Oh well, I guess I will have a little more time to prepare for my 11 a.m. color appointment," Lois said still smiling.
Ten minutes later she received a text message from her 11 a.m. appointment, "I had to go out of town at the last minute. I will call you when I get back to reschedule. Sorry."
Lois's smile started to shrink. "I just got a message from another client who needs to reschedule."
"Girl, I told you that you have to double book," Tina matter-of-factly said. "These clients don't value our time."
Lois threw her head back and spun herself around in her salon chair-thinking. After the fourth turn, her phone buzzed again. It was another text message. Her client slotted for 1 p.m. wrote that she was running 30 minutes late. "At least she is still coming," Lois said trying to remain positive.
"But this last one will throw off your whole schedule for the end of the day," Tina said while styling her own client with a flat iron. "That is if these other chicks even show up on time."
Tina's client gazed upward at Tina in disbelief. The full-weave woman pursed her lips wondering if she should take her business to the new stylist her best friend kept recommending. Maybe her attitude toward customers would be more positive.
"While I'm waiting, I might as well call my 2 p.m. client to see if she can come earlier," Lois thought. She placed the call to her 2 p.m. client and fortunately, the client could come in earlier.
At 11:25 a.m., Lois's 11:30 client, Janice, arrived. Lois motioned her to the washbowl. "Wow, you are right on time," Janice commented.
"Well, I know that you are a woman on the move so I want to make sure that you get back to the office on time," Lois said.
Janice vented. "My day is starting off rough. Both of my morning clients at the ad agency canceled on me at the last minute."
"Really, that is something," Lois commented while washing Janice's hair.
"You don't understand. I am supposed to be dealing with professional people," Janice lamented. "This is just unacceptable."
"Girl, I know the feeling," Lois chuckled.
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