 Stylist learns not to count out her elders
From a Stylista in Alabama
At 90, Lola Mae Jackson had the wisdom of Maya Angelou, the youthful face of Sacagawea, and the hair the color of freshly fallen snow.
But in all that time, she had never been to a hair salon. When Lola was a little girl, her mother told her that it wasn't good to have just anyone's hands in her hair. Everybody's hands aren't good hands, her mother had said. So, Lola learned to take care of her own hair. It was thick, shiny, healthy and very long.
Down the street from Lola's house was a new salon called For Every Woman. It hadn't been in the neighborhood very long, and from the looks of things, may not stay. Business was slow. To drum up clients, owners had distributed fliers with special offers.
Lola saw one of the fliers. She thought maybe she could help the young business out. So, she gave them a call making an appointment for the next morning at 9.
Niecy, the story owner, took the call. When she hung up, she chuckled. "How could a 90-year-old woman live so long and had never been to a hair salon," she asked. "I bet her hair is unkempt and dirty!" Niecy said walking back to the washing bowls.
Angie, one of the other stylists, found Niecy's comments truly unprofessional. "Girl, you are so wrong to discriminate against senior citizens. You shouldn't do that. Besides, with business being slow, we need every customer who walks through that door—old or not! Ain't the name of the business: For Every Woman?"
"Girl, please!" Niecy howled. "You love to preach. Honestly, I can't stand old people. They are so stuck in their old ways and don't understand the power of change."
"That may be true to an extent Niecy," Angie retorted. "But honey, business is slow and we are going under without finances."
And with that, Niecy clamped her lips shut and kept working. The next day at exactly 9 on the dot, Lola pulled up in her clean and shiny 1957 Cadillac. She strolled into the salon with all the elegance in the world.
"Hello, babies," Lola cooed. "My name is Lola Mae and I have an appointment at nine o' clock with Niecy."
With a smile plastered to her face, Niecy greeted the older woman. "Hi Lola Mae. I'm Niecy. We spoke yesterday. It's a pleasure to meet you. Your hair is gorgeous."
"Thank you," Lola said. "And I decided what to do with my hair. I'd like some curls all over. The tight curls that Shirley Temple used to wear."
Niecy eyed Lola's long mane. "That will be a lot of curls, Lola Mae." Niecy tried to hide her hint of amusement at the old woman's request.
Five hours later, Niecy turned Lola around in the chair. Her mouth flew open in deep admiration. Lola loved her hair.
"Niecy baby, I just love the way my hair looks," Lola said. "You know, I have heard in the neighborhood and throughout the community that your business has slowed down. Many of your customers have moved leaving this business in a stagnate condition."
Stillness graced the salon as the other stylists eavesdropped on the conversation.
"I believe in what all of you stylists are doing," Lola continued. "Believe it or not, I know it takes a great amount of faith to be in the field that all of you are in."
Niecy's eyes began to water. She felt ashamed. Here was the older woman encouraging her to continue doing what she loved, and all Niecy had done behind Lola's back was ridicule her because of her age.
"Niecy, how much do I owe you baby?"
"Fifty dollars," Niecy said humbly.
"Okay! Multiply that by 12 months and that is $600 that I am paying you in advance," Lola said handing Niecy a check.
Niecy stared at the money truly dumbfounded. Her chin trembled with an onslaught of tears. Lola patted her on the back.
"I'll see you again next month same time on a Saturday and I'll be bringing seven of my senior citizen friends, who also will pay you in advance. It was my job to be the first to come and see if I liked your services. And, guess what Niecy? I did!"
Lola hugged Niecy, then waved to all the other stylists before leaving.
Hair-nista chat question: Have you seen older clients get taken for granted in salons? Do stylists value their senior clients the same as their younger clients? What do you think? Post your comments.
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its because of ignorance and lack of respect.
I love my senior clients. They give good advice,
they share wisdom and they are very good tippers!
They're very appreciative and they care. Especially
When they know you are "good" people.
You never know when a senior citizen may save
your business!
They do have feelings and they have a heart.