Quite bothered. As in crying, and slamming my fists against our office desk. I was en route to the door with my little one, and thought I would check my facebook page before I left. When I did, I discovered that one of my faithful clients posted a coupon to my salon, offering services at a dastardly discounted rate. I mean, a $15 haircut. $35 for all over color. $50 for a full head of highlights! I read the coupon extensively, scouring it's words for a sentence of relief...
"Participating stylists only."
"Valid for first-time guests only."
"If you use this ridiculous coupon, please come bearing gifts."
But there was nothing, and as I knew nothing about it previous to this moment, I frantically exploded. I have since erased my rather passionate rant, but I was very upset. Why would I get upset over a discount opportunity offered for only 24 hours? Hmm...
I am not going to bore you with the details (just spent 20 minutes writing the details out, and they were b-o-r-i-n-g), but I have worked very hard in the last few years to build my book in a certain way. I have tried deep-discounting, but it (in my experience) has produced clientele who either need or are brazen enough to continually ask for deep discounts. When a person is a hairstylist, she gets to spend 1-4 hours with a single human being. There is a lot of talking. There is a lot of sharing. Sometimes there are tears. But at the end of a session, no matter how good the color looks, if the client/stylist rapport is not positive, she is NOT coming back. There have been times when I have wanted to take my shears and jab them into my throat, or being so overwhelmed with annoyance or pure disgust over a conversation (the amount of bigotry and hatred that still exists in this city is abhorrent) that I tear up, or even once nearly passed out.
Generally speaking, I really like EVERYONE on my book right now, and as they consistently trust me enough to give me money to help their "crowning glory," I think they like me, too. My book, therefore expands slowly by people who like me introducing people who they like to, well- me- and by reason, we all like each other. Sometimes it doesn't work out, but most of the times it does, and I am grateful. Continuing with reason, as I do not receive walk-ins, the only people who can use this amazing coupon for my services are people who are already OK with paying my real prices.
So I was upset.
And my salon-owner found out. And in her uprightness and precious-ness, she was sorry. And I was sorry, for being frantic and worried and frantic (I know I said that already). And the strangest thing happened.
We talked about it. We did not cry, we did not raise our voices, we didn't hug or hold hands- just two women having a conversation for the purpose of mending a relationship. We forgave each other. It was novel, and mature- which is very hard to find in this field. I like her.
So, if you purchased this coupon, please use it. Do not feel bad. But do come bearing gifts. I really love coconut, or especially lemon cake.
If you have come to the end of this, thanks for indulging me.
Rachel Bee
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