Let me add that Josefa is my best electrolysis friend (and personal too). I want to remind potential clients about "the butterflies.’
Performing electrolysis, while ostensibly an easy task, is not so easy to "get it perfect.’ I know Josefa and, like me, we are perfectionists. The "butterflies?’ Well, let me tell you that even after 40-years doing electrolysis, I still get nervous (butterflies) when I start any treatment. And, as Josefa has learned (the hard way), you have to start with a good "script.’ You have to start with a person who is emotionally stable and someone who has a firm grasp on reality … and presents a project that can be completed perfectly; and a project you can render 100% successful. I like success … NOT "half success.’
It takes me a LONG time to accept a client: it’s called "vetting.’ If the person has "seriously odd ideas’ or is "hysterical’ or is "neurotic’ or "desperate’ … I won’t start the client. For example, a year ago, I had a young man (with a gorgeous full head of hair) who wanted me to remove ALL his head hair because he had a fascination about being totally bald. (This is real folks, I’m not making this up!)
Of course, this is an extreme case. But "extreme’ can come in many lesser degrees, and the "difficult client’ can make your life a living hell. (Been there; done that!) Right now I have a group of awesome clients that understand everything, are getting super results and are fantastic to work with. Josefa is in full "avoidance mode’ because of the several "nut-jobs’ she has encountered. Josefa is too kind and wants to help everyone. You can’t!
Additionally, when I read an email that says, "My life is totally ruined, and I need hair removed from my beard, back, chest, legs, arms, butt … etc., or, “the end is near!” well, I’m pretty much in "no go’ mode.
Classically, the more a client writes to you with endless questions (and the same questions over-and-over) and endless emails … the more likely they are a certified "difficult client.’ Their expectations are going to be TOO HIGH! As I told Josie, "Don’t do it honey!’ For those of us with years of experience, it’s about our own safety and well-being. And yes, WE have “rights” too …
Bottom line: you don’t have to "take’ everybody! Your own happiness and safety is also an issue. Look, even "Mother Teresa’ wasn’t really "Mother Teresa!’