Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1380995
N ot a m e m b e r ? J o i n at a s so c iate d h a i rp rofe s sio n a ls .c o m 91 hardest lessons I had to learn was understanding what the client wants from a friendship with their stylist. While making the choice to enjoy a dinner with my client, it hit me. We were two hours into the meal, and she never even asked me how my day was. In fact, I don't think she even knows I have a child. This would be a good time to create a boundary. Figure out what you enjoy about your friendship with this client. Perhaps you might realize she is really not a good fit for you. • Keep your secrets. We can easily include our new friend in everything, but beware not to mix trade secrets with pleasure. The first mistake I made was asking a new client-friend to come to the hair supply store with me. She was so excited by the fact that all her favorite products were so cheap, and— you guessed it—I not only lost out on the profit I made on her product purchases in the salon, but I didn't even carry the product she wanted. I had been going out of my way to get her product at cost. I decided to finally tell her I can only sell her product I carry in the salon. When she purchased, I charged her regular price, and we have moved forward since. • It's OK to retreat. You tried finding a connection, but you realize you just don't have one. What do you do next? You have to be careful to not lose the client-stylist relationship. If you had plans, cut back your time on that event. From there, let the client know you will contact them when your calendar frees up. When you see them in the salon, definitely talk about the fun dinner you shared, and tell them you really love seeing them in the salon. Do not commit to rescheduling a personal outing. Just leave an open-ended intention to do it again "sometime," and the client will move on. This way, you can maintain your client-stylist relationship. I hate to break it to you, but that is work—and a fast way to burn out. As a professional, you have to know how to separate work from home. I had to create this boundary many times. I simply tell my friend, "As much as I love to do your hair in the salon, talking about it on my personal time feels like work to me." It's really as simple as that. Be the fox, and take control of your time off. CONVERTING CLIENTS TO FRIENDS We share the good, bad, and ugly of our personal lives with our clients, which becomes a fast way to make personal connections. The advantage of converting a client to a friend is you already have an idea of who they are. But there are a few boundaries that need to be explored when moving a client into your friend zone. • Choose carefully. You have the same vibe as a bartender or counselor in your stylist-client relationship. I think one of the jason briscoe/unsplash