When I talk to my students about cosmetology, I make one thing very clear: this profession is serious. No matter what area of cosmetology you’re in—hairstylist, barber, loctician, esthetician—we are in an intimate relationship with our clients. We are present for their weddings, their divorces, their graduations, their illnesses, their losses, and their victories. We hear things they don’t always tell their family or friends. That level of trust is not
accidental. It is earned, and it is sacred.
Because of that, we must understand that this is not just a service—we are in a relationship. And just like any real relationship, whatever it took to start it is what it’s going to take to maintain it. Showing up professional, prepared, polished, and on time is not optional. It never was. Somewhere along the way, especially for some who have been in the business for 25 years or more, the priority of customer service can start to slip. The mindset becomes, “They know me,” or “They’ve been with me forever.” But familiarity should never replace respect.
I’ve seen seasoned professionals stop coming to work groomed, dressed with intention, or even arriving on time, as if those things no longer matter. Let me say this plainly: they still matter. Our clients deserve the same effort today as they did the first day they sat in our chair. They trust us with their appearance, their confidence, and often their emotional well- being. That is not small. That is an honor.
In any relationship, we expect respect—and respect starts with how we show up. We owe it to our clients and to ourselves to remain professional, disciplined, and intentional no matter how long we’ve been in the game. Longevity in this industry should make us better, not comfortable. If we want to be treated like professionals, we must continue to act like professionals. Our clients are watching, and more importantly, they deserve our very
best—every single time.
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