Do I close or is this how bitter our industry is?

[redlottie13]

Hi all I'm so sorry for the regular negative posts , the last 6 months have been possibley the worst in my career.

*6 months ago a girl who worked with me stole from my daughter's charity fundraiser, she was treated like filter by me and I trained her to a high standard.

* She then goes around lying about me and tarnishing my reputation by saying things like I bully her, never paid her , treated her different (all of which was bull)

*Her friend went onto social media and started a mahoosive witch hunt and spread untrue rumours (all be it untrue from her friend, so she prob believes it all)

*Then we get two reactions to eyelashes, thankfully we are covered, skin tests were carried out and the one client used another product (mascara-against aftercare instructions)
& Another client was allergic to tape and failed to mention it in her consultation form.

* Then yesterday I receive 4 fake reviews on socials/internet and fake staged pictures immerged of how I 'ruined someone's hair'
(it's been backcombed for effect)

Her hair WAS NOT like that when she left. I have photographic proof!
She was also posing for a photo 2 days ago #blondie #lovemyhair!!!

And if I'd have ruined it, it would be like that right after her hair was washed? Surly??

I've been branded a bully as I wouldn't appologies, and wouldn't admit I ruined her hair! her and her aunt messaged me 22 times on a Sunday and Eveningtime.

This has now gone on to a local 'womens forum' where they have bashed the hell out of me!!
*Thankfully I have clients who stuck up for me.
And after 4 hours of exposure, it's been taken down, even the admin said 'I'm sorry I feel for you but I have to be neutral'

I'm after advice. I just don't know what I have done so wrong to get this bad luck.....is it just this industry, is it something I'm doing, is it jealousy as we are doing well? Is it because we are small and new (18 months)?

The most important thing to tell you all is I'm pregnant but as i have lost 5 babies. I'm terrified the stress will end this pregnancy too!


Sorry about my pics attached the files are too big to show you the originals.

 

[redlottie13]

And the screenshot is by someone who has never been to my salon!

 

[wonderwoman]

Aww don't close, we all have teething problems here and there. I've been in business 10 years this year and instead of being wonderwoman i feel like fragile-woman sometimes! This year I've had everything chucked at me and during in the beginning of my business start I had it then too. It's a big learning curve.

I'm gonna give out the same advice that I gave before give yourself a break and even more so that your pregnant- congratulations!
Look at what you wanna do over the next year forecast yourself and your business. Are you gonna give yourself a more managing role or be more hands on? This hindsight to look back and tweek any kinda bumps along the way. make yourself a salon policy that covers everything down to patch tests reactions etc how to handle complaints, get some input from staff too that way it feels more uniform and you know how to manage it. It can feel very heavy on your shoulders when you do everything this also applies to people that are self employed.

Lastly people do get jealous they don't like seeing others do well for themselves but you have to be the bigger person and not let they're negativity get to you. There are toxic people everywhere especially on social media- its how you handle it. I think social media messages make it easier for some people to troll, create a blanket response only during salon hrs and leave it. Good luck don't quit sending positive vibes xoxo

 

[Anna0362]

Omg! I cld cry reading this post! I had a similar experience when my "friend" of 15years wrote to my clients and told them I was closing when I was away opening another salon! I came back to no business and had to start again! It is infuriating how malicious some people can be to cover their own backs! Listen. It sounds like you've overcome the worse. I would not let her win! Your good at ur job. Run a successful business for x amount of years and you follow industry guidelines which by the way don't cover everything. You've had some bad luck and I really feel for you. I bet every other salon owner reading your post will be rooting for you and supporting you. It's time to turn this around! Start posting before and afters. Get your loyal clients to write reviews. Get the local press in do a piece on a specialist service that you offer. Stop doubting yourself. Your confidence is understably at a low but it's time to take control and start climbing back up that ladder. Your regular clients are still supporting you. They believe in you. Start believing in yourself! Your clients family and friends will help you thru this. So take a deep breath. Stop worrying about what other people are saying. You can't stop that. Stay true to yourself and believe that you do the best to your ability with your training and experience. U CAN turn this round! That being said, your health and the wellbeing of your unborn child is ur primary concern. Nothing else should matter. Giving up ur business will not be the end of the world but if you try to stay calm and start taking control you shouldn't have to. Much love. Anna x

 

[NailsbyHayley]

If this was me I would get a letter sent to her threatening her with slander and defamation. I would then post a public facebook post stating that she has been warned by your solicitor to stop making untrue statements trying to tarnish you business name and livelihood.

I would then draw a line under it - and carry on as normal! Some little cows are really spiteful! DONT CLOSE YOU WILL LOOK GUILTY!! x

 

[daydreams01]

Oh I do feel for you but don’t let these people bully you out of your dream and what you worked so hard for. There is a saying “this too shall pass” and it really will. You need to focus on your health and try not to get upset over other people’s opinions. I’m sure you have lots of lovely supportive clients so focus on all the positive feedback you get. You can please everyone unfortunately and they seem vile and just up for a row and because your hormones are all over the place, you are getting more upset. Don’t respond to anything else or engage in any conversations about it. If necessary slow down for a few weeks, maybe do shorter hours or if you can just close the diary for a few days next week if you have a couple of quiet days and tell people your taking a little holiday, you don’t need to go anywhere, just relax at home with a few good films and maybe a few lunches out or shopping trips, catch up with some friends you haven’t seen in a while. The salon will survive and busy period is approaching so you need to be fit and healthy for that.
Sending lots of love xxx

 

[pure]

Moderator note: I’ve had to delete the photos which showed your clients face as she could be identified from them and you don’t have her permission to share them on this site.

 

[redlottie13]

Moderator note: I’ve had to delete the photos which showed your clients face as she could be identified from them and you don’t have her permission to share them on this site.

Ok, sorry. I did try to conceal as much as I could.

Thank you

 

[Minkeybox]

Can you look at why you are attracting these types of nutters/clients? It all seems a bit Jeremy Kyle!

Are your prices too low? How do you deal with complaints? Are you proffessional or do you come across too friendly? I personally wouldnt get into message/post tennis back & forth but would have a solicitor deal with it at the first sign of trouble to nip it in the bud before it escalated.

I seem to have a sixth sense for the nut jobs now (many years in) & stop any inappropriate behaviour before it escalates.

 

[AcidPerm]

There are plenty of wealthier nutters around. It’s not confined to being poor despite what the Daily Mail would have you believe.

 

[Tinker78]

There are plenty of wealthier nutters around. It’s not confined to being poor despite what the Daily Mail would have you believe.

First hand experience in 'wealthier nutters,' even all the way over here in Canada!

 

[redlottie13]

Can you look at why you are attracting these types of nutters/clients? It all seems a bit Jeremy Kyle!

Are your prices too low? How do you deal with complaints? Are you proffessional or do you come across too friendly? I personally wouldnt get into message/post tennis back & forth but would have a solicitor deal with it at the first sign of trouble to nip it in the bud before it escalated.

I seem to have a sixth sense for the nut jobs now (many years in) & stop any inappropriate behaviour before it escalates.

Believe me I have tried to rack my brain with this exact question.

My prices are just above average for my area (affluent + working classed mixed)
*Average colour cost is £95

And yes I think maybe I'm too friendly /accomodating/Soft. But I am changing.

But don't we all attract idiots?....
Just last month I lost a client to her old hairdresser as she decided 6 weeks after her rootdrag that she preferred colour closer to her root. And wanted it done for free. I point blank refused. This was her choice and i likened it to taking a 6 week old, used coat back to Zara and saying "yeah I've changed my mind, I'd like a refund please"

How do you guys deal with complaints?

My old salon would throw money at it and hope the problem went away. They are now close to going bust.

Thank you for your honest questions x

 

[Shikari-78]

Keep calm hun
Your a good stylist some ppl just have no morals is there a salon recently opened up near u and they dont like the competition dont give up x

 

[redlottie13]

Keep calm hun
Your a good stylist some ppl just have no morals is there a salon recently opened up near u and they dont like the competition dont give up x

Yeah I ruffled some feathers when I moved in, I think as we are more upto date and quirky it got everyone thinking 'oooooh I wanna go there'.

Great for us .....

 

[Shikari-78]

Exactly, keep up the good work we all have them vile ppl in our salons x

 

[NailsbyHayley]

Keep calm and crack on lovely. X