Life's Little Victories

Yeah, I won.

After working on this "pet project" of mine for years, I finally succeeded.

I was referred to Kelly by a friend a few years ago.  Kelly is a professional hairstylist, and a single mother who has a ten-year-old daughter.  Kelly also helps support her aging parents.  Even on her days off, she worked at home so as to bring in extra income.

Kelly is not an academic type.  She feels bad about it.  "I really want my daughter to go to college and be something great.  I don't want her to be like me . . ." She makes it sound as if hairstylist is not a respectable profession.

I think I know why she thinks this way.  I once worked as an art framer after I came to the US.  Because I knew nothing about the trade, I started as an apprentice.  My hourly rate was US$6 -- just a tiny bit above the minimum wage at the time.  Many friends screamed at me, asking "Why are you doing this to yourself???" Many customers who did not know me said to me in some scornful tone of voice, "Why are you wasting your time here, young lady.  You don't seem so dumb.  Go get yourself some education."  So I replied, "Yeah, I thought about it, but I decided not to pursue a PhD."

Our society does not adequately value artisans.  Many people just don't see the skills and wisdom in people who work with their hands.  People have to do manual work simply because they are not intelligent enough to use their brains, they think.  They forget that one needs to have a good brain to command the hands to do great things.

"$12!  Your price is what a cheap barber shop charged twenty years ago.  You need to raise your prices!" I told Kelly after a haircut at her house.  I put on my MBA/ marketing instructor hat and tried to explain to her why her pricing strategy was hurting her business.

"Well, this is my house, not a salon.  I do not have a professional-looking environment for clients.  I don't dare to ask for too much and risk turning people off.  I need to keep my clients." Kelly had a lot of reservations.

This same conversation repeated at least a dozen times over the years.  I must have not been a very convincing teacher because Kelly continued to charge $12 for a haircut.  And she would not accept tips.

One day, Kelly texted me: "I quit my job.  I have rented my own space.  I am an independent hairstylist now.  Come see my studio."  

I promptly went the next day.  I was the second customer at her new place. 

"Now that you have your professional studio, may I pay you more, please?' I pleaded.  Kelly laughed incessantly. 

"You are so strange!  Everybody wants to pay less.  Why do you keep pushing me to charge you more?" 

"It is not about more or less.  It is about being fair.  It is about supporting people who do good, honest work.  I appreciate your skills and your services.  Your prices do not reflect the quality you deliver.  I don't think it is right.  To be honest, this is very self-serving: I want to make sure you continue to be there for me."  Kelly smiled.  "Do me a favor: believe in yourself and start charging a more reasonable price.  You need to make a living.  Those who stop coming because of the few dollars' difference are not your clientele.  You have my permission to stop volunteering from now on."

To keep a long story shorter, this time, I managed to drop $15 without her running after me.

Soon after that, COVID-19 hit and we had the lockdown.  For months, poor Kelly dug into her pocket to pay rent while she could not work.  Such bad timing!

My hair literally grew into a bush in four months.  I did not protest to "Liberate Maryland", but having a haircut, finally, was a big relief.  

"Meipo, I pondered about what you said to me over and over.  You are right.  I am a trained, experienced hairstylist.  I do a good job and never cut corners.  Back then, it was just busy work: I worked long hours every single day to cut hair, color hair, perm hair.  At the end of the day, I didn't get to keep much of anything.  What did I do that for?  You know what?  I am raising my prices!"  Kelly gave me a triumphant smile and a wink.  

"Oh, yeah?  Congratulations!  So, how much are you charging now?" I asked.

"You?  Um, will it be okay if I charge you $18?"  said Kelly.

"$18?  No!  It's NOT okay.  How about $20, at least?  $25 will be even better." I haggled.  

"Nah, nah, nah.  You are being unreasonable here.  Actually I am now charging old clients $20.  New clients pay $22 or $25.  But you?  You may only pay $18."  Kelly countered.  

Frankly, $25 for a haircut by her is still a steal.

"That's discrimination.  I want to be treated equally," I protested.

"Sorry.  I am the boss lady here.  You don't get to call shots."  Kelly insisted.  

After my haircut, I handed Kelly a $20 bill and started walking out the door.  "Hey, your change!" Kelly hollered.  I smiled and waved at her.  "May I keep the change, then?"  Kelly smiled back.  "Yeah, you'd better." I grumbled.

One artisan has learnt to appreciate herself better.  One woman in this world is feeling more empowered.  One mother is making more money while being able to spend more time with her child.  

This is the best price hike in the world ever.