Family of hairdressers and the expectations...It's VIP on a whole other level!

There is our clients and then there is our clients that are family. Why does it seem that family want to take the most advantage of us? Put pressure and unrealistic expectations on us that even our regular clients would never do? Like expecting us to work them in whenever they want AND produce miracles? As someone who cannot even take new clients, I have a family member who is visibly upset that I cannot add her to my already packed schedule. On top of having a ton of hair she is very young and one of those back and forth people that want the most time consuming, detailed, and unrealistic changes possible. I have already stated I cannot add new people, and that her hair would take me hours on my schedule that I don't have. Well, she huffed and puffed about it and now is avoiding me. I only work a few days a week and do her mothers hair that is a family member. The mother is putting pressure on me to do it too. " She gets charged to much at this other place she goes..." is what I have heard over and over. She is not the only one though, I have siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends from long long ago that think just because I do hair, that I want to do theirs. How about ask us first and find out if we can even add new people? How about not assume because we do hair and you are close or used to know us that we are going to discount you?

I truly believe much of the anxiety that comes with this profession is the pressure that some put on us to push boundaries. If you have people in your life trying to take advantage of your skills, (bring your scissors over to my house type of people) you need to nip this in the bud as soon as possible. Make sure you are always charging and if you can't add them to your schedule, make them wait like everyone else. As far as your parents or super close family, I can see making special arrangements for them to help them out. But these distant family members or people from high school also need to be treated as a normal client. This can get out of hand quickly if not dealt with properly from the beginning of your career so do not allow this to continue if it is a stressor. I read a survey years ago that said the number one stressor of hairdressers was "trying to please family members and friends so not to ruin their personal relationship" looking back, I can see that this is true. It was always one of the things that stressed me out the most. If you are in this situation just remember to not over promise, over extend, or undercharge. Sometimes the best thing to do is even explain that because you want to remain close, it might be best for them to have someone else that does their hair. In the end, the choice is up to you, but know that your relationship with those close to you does change (in one way or another) if you decide to do their hair.