Firing a Client

Hi Everyone,

What is one of the biggest problems in our industry? Not to be rude but.. Clients. Don't get me wrong, there are some lovely people out there that we deal with but there are also A LOT of clients that are rude, mean, and take advantage. They are never fully satisfied and you are left feeling drained and unmotivated. Let me tell you, you don’t have to feel that way.

I understand people make light of their clients who ruin their work for them but it is not okay. Clients bring in money and sometimes it is hard to think what position you will be in if you are not bringing in their portion but this is where I want you all to take a reflective moment and think about your happiness, your sanity.

So how do you keep your sanity? Take a deep breath and stand your ground. You will find another client to replace this bad client. Know your standards and set them high. When starting out I know you need to be less picky but the more trouble clients you take, the more tough conversations you will need. I will be writing another post on how to set your standards for clientele but until then you need to deal with any potential toxic relationships before you.

Get rid of those bad seeds - remember people talk and you have your reputation to keep intact. As much as you may want to ream this person out for all the times they upset you and you were left biting your tongue, it's not professional. Try to refrain from blame, there are two sides to every story and you don’t want to open up the possibility of an argument.

You can tell them as little or as much as you want. You can be direct and polite or you can explain to them that you are just taking less clients and unfortunately will no longer be able to do their nails/hair/service. You can also say it is for personal reasons, this should be vague so they don't feel entitled to hear more.. It is none of their business. You don’t have to explain yourself, this is a choice you are making for yourself and your business. Absolutely if you feel comfortable then by all means give them that closure!

When you are telling this client that you will no longer be able to do their service, recommend some options. If possible, give them more than one alternative and an action plan to contact and how to move forward. People are much more responsive when they know they have options.

You will get the people who don’t respond well, what you need to remember is it is the moments like this that make them a difficult client, stand your ground! Keep calm and say thank you for their feedback and you wish them all the joy in the future. When dealing with ex-clients, it is really best to kill them with kindness. Sometimes it is just a matter of shock and they are wanting to take it out on someone.

Hopefully this gave you enough to weed out your clientele. It is not a fun thing but it is something that will make you enjoy your work more and at the end of the day, doesn’t that make you all around happier?

I wish you good luck and remember to stay strong!

Elise xox