The Quitters

If someone is labeled a “quitter,” it is generally seen as a negative depiction and often associated with giving up, not following through or lacking confidence or drive.

However, if the action, habit or task that the individual is “quitting” is unhealthy or harmful to themselves or others, being a quitter might just be the right decision.

Lori

“I have always gone the extra mile for my customers,” says pet stylist Lori. “When my client Sandy confided in me that times had become hard for her and she had to go to food giveaways just to keep her family fed, I felt the need to help her. She asked me if I could stretch out the appointments for her two sweet Bichons from every four weeks to eight weeks.

 “Of course I said yes. It meant a lot more work and significantly less income for me, but I wanted to help Sandy any way I could. So, for the better part of a year I groomed her Bichons every eight weeks. 

“Last week Sandy called me and said, ‘Lori, I need a favor. My pups are scheduled to be groomed next Friday. Can you switch them to Wednesday? I am leaving for Aruba on Friday.’

“What? Was she serious? For almost a year I believed I was helping a client who was going through a really rough period, and now she is going to Aruba. That’s it… I quit!” Lori shrieked. “This is the last time I will fall for someone’s phony sob story and let them take advantage of me.”

With Lori quitting allowing her customers to take advantage of her kind demeanor, she no longer has to question if she is doing the right thing—and her business doesn’t have to suffer the consequences.

Darla

New groomer Darla experienced problems of a different kind with her customers.

“When I first opened my business,” recalls Darla, “I was determined to please every customer that came through my doors. So, when clients arrived late for their appointment, did not pick up their pet in a timely manner, or missed appointments entirely, I didn’t say much. As a novice groomer, I didn’t know how to handle it without making the customers mad. 

“Then I encountered clients with matted pets. When I would tell them that their pet would have to be clipped short—and they agreed to it—some of them wanted me to refund the entire cost of the groom because they didn’t like how their pet looked when it was clipped short.

“I soon realized that although my clients expected me to give them special treatment, they didn’t respect me as a professional. That’s when I knew I had to quit,” Darla said. “I was a people pleaser, and I allowed too many people to treat me badly.

“I’ve made some big, big changes since I became a quitter,” says Darla triumphantly, “and I couldn’t be happier. I set boundaries and limits with my clients. I found that clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings. When I put everything in writing, no one could claim that I didn’t inform them. 

“In addition to posting my hours and policies prominently in my salon, I also have them printed in our monthly newsletter and on every client receipt. And when it comes to matted pets, I now have the client sign a matted pet release which gives me proof that the owner consents to the hair removal and understands that unseen problems may be uncovered during the process,” Darla explains.

Becoming a quitter gave Darla great peace of mind and put her business on the road to success.

Ron

Salon owner Ron has become his own worst enemy. He had been employed as a groomer at a popular local salon, and when the owner wanted to retire, Ron bought the business.

“I’m a very good groomer,” says Ron. “But I didn’t have any experience at running a business. I thought that if I just kept doing everything the previous owner did that the salon would continue to be successful, but business really fell off.”

Ron began to realize that his “status quo” strategy was not working. Because he had been reluctant to try new tools, products and techniques, Ron was sabotaging himself—and his business was starting to stagnate and die.

Ron became a quitter. He made a list of all the things that were not working for him, and then he quit doing them. Ron started networking with other groomers, attending grooming shows and taking online seminars. He updated his salon and invested in new equipment.

Things have turned around in a big way since Ron became a quitter, and he now owns two very successful salons. 

Sharon

Veteran stylist Sharon has owned and operated a successful mobile business for years. Her clients adore her and she is booked months in advance. Everyone wants their pet to be “Groomed by Sharon.”

 It seems like Sharon has it all together and is doing everything right, doesn’t it? Why would she need to quit doing anything?

As successful as she is, Sharon has a serious issue. Sharon needs to quit putting herself last. 

“I have such a full schedule, I never have any time for myself,” says Sharon. “And, as much as I love what I do, I know I won’t be able to groom forever. I absolutely have to start planning ahead and putting money away for my retirement. It’s pretty evident that I need to become a quitter.

“Starting today, I will quit putting myself last,” Sharon says emphatically. “I am going to make myself and my future a priority. I have worked extremely hard to build my wonderful career. Now, I am going to quit working so much and start doing more of the things that will bring me pleasure. My new goal is to become the best and most successful quitter around!”

When these four groomers decided to become quitters and to stop doing things that weren’t working for them, their lives and careers improved dramatically. Is it time for you to become a quitter, too? ✂️