I heard something on a business program the other day that stopped me in my tracks. The speaker said, “The highs are never separate from the lows.” I wrote it down right away, because it is one of the truest things I have heard about building a business, and it fits our industry perfectly.
As salon professionals, we love to share the highs. The fully booked week. We share the before-and-after photo a hundred times. The client who hugs you on the way out the door. Those moments are real, and you should enjoy every one of them.
However, every one of those highs was built on something harder.
The Low Points We Do Not Post About
Think about the moments you would rather forget. The set that lifted in three days. The cut you caused on a client during a pedicure. The client who did not come back and never told you why. The slow January when the phone did not ring. The foot you looked at and honestly did not know what you were seeing.
Nobody puts those moments on Instagram. However, those are the moments that built the professional you are today.
Where Your Skill Actually Came From
Look closely at your strongest skills and you will usually find a low point standing right behind them.
- The set that lifted taught you to take your prep seriously.
- The client who left without a word taught you to slow down and listen during the consultation.
- The slow season taught you to continuously market yourself.
- The foot you did not recognize sent you looking for education, and now you assess with confidence instead of hoping for the best.
That last one matters a great deal in foot care. Many of us remember the first time a client sat down with diabetic feet, thick and discolored toenails, or a treatment history we were not trained for. That uneasy feeling is a low point. It is also the exact moment a technician decides whether to stay where they are or learn more. The technicians who chose to learn are the ones clients now trust with their feet.
Do Not Waste a Low Point
A hard week is going to come whether we like it or not. The question is whether you let it pass, or let it teach you something.
The next time you hit a low point, try asking yourself three simple questions:
- What did this show me that I did not see before?
- What will I do differently next time?
- Who can help me get better at this?
That third question is the one most of us skip. We tend to carry the hard stuff alone. However, there is no prize for figuring everything out by yourself. Education, a mentor, a good class, or a supplier who will actually answer your questions can turn a low point into your next high a whole lot faster.
This Is Not About Glorifying the Struggle
I want to be clear. Nobody is asking you to enjoy the hard seasons or pretend they do not hurt. A lost client stings. A slow month is stressful. A service that goes wrong can shake your confidence for a while.
However, when you understand that the highs and the lows are connected, the lows stop feeling like failure. They start feeling like tuition. You are paying for the lesson either way, so you might as well collect the education that comes with it.
Why This One Hits Home
When I write these articles, the inspiration usually comes from a personal experience or one someone has shared with me. This one hits home, because I am in a low point right now. I recently discovered a bad batch of sa’SHá. It affects me personally, because I know how much sa’SHá has helped you in the pedicure room, and no sa’SHá means lost income. I keep looking for the why and praying we get this figured out sooner rather than later. I have the utmost confidence in my lab, and I know it will be resolved. However, this is probably the lowest low I have been through in many, many years.
So what is the high that has come out of this? You….my clients. Your understanding, your sympathy, and your kind comments have made me realize I do what I do because of you. It motivates me to do even better, be even better, and forge ahead with confidence. Thank you to each and every one of you who are riding out this storm with me and trusting that I will get this resolved as soon as possible.
Your Next High Is Already in Motion
After all my years in this industry, I can tell you that the low points were never wasted. Every single one of them showed up later as a skill, a better decision, or a client I knew how to help.
The same is true for you. If you are in a low point right now, it is not separate from where you are headed. It is part of the road that gets you there.
If you are ready to turn your next low point into a high, come see us at Centre for Beauty. Ask questions. Take a class. Let us help you choose the products and education that support confident, professional foot care services for the long haul.
Cj Murray, President
Outcome based education which, drives product selection & confident use!
