I finally had a client explain why she kept booking with me over a more senior stylist

Last week a woman in her 30s, about 6 months into getting her hair done by me, said she picks me because I listen without assuming. She said her old stylist, with 20 years experience, would just nod and do what she thought was best. It hit me because I always felt like the new kid, but she pointed out that I ask "what does your hair do when it's humid" instead of jumping straight to a cut. Made me wonder how many times I've probably done the same thing without realizing it. Has anyone else had a client say something that totally reframed how you see your work?

2 comments

2 Comments

riley5957d ago

I'd push back a little on that. New stylists sometimes ask too many questions, it can get annoying. I had a client tell me she liked my work but wished I'd just make a decision instead of asking about every tiny detail. Finding that middle ground is harder than it sounds. But yeah, your client's point about listening vs. assuming is valid, just maybe not a total new kid vs. senior thing.

noahw537d ago

Ha, "wish you'd just make a decision" sounds like my first year of cutting hair summed up in one brutal sentence. I was so scared of messing up that I'd basically hold the scissors over their head and ask "this okay?" every two seconds. You're right though, the middle ground is the hard part. It's like you're either annoying them with questions or you're chopping off three inches they didn't want.