Seeing the Future

It was a long week for me at Salon Deco. Kim frustrated the hell out of me. I walked out and seriously didn't want to go back, but I had an issue -- I really liked the staff, and I also liked and felt for Kim's husband, Eric.

I found Kim's laid back attitude and excuses infuriating and frustrating in light of the fact that her business was falling apart, her house was in foreclosure, her husband was stressed to the max, and her staff felt abandoned. I truly did feel more invested in saving Kim's business than Kim herself.

What was clear is that she had a great team that wanted to support her, but they felt that Kim didn't care about the business. It was an every-man-for-themselves environment, and if the boss didn't care and couldn't be bothered to come to work or be part of the team, why should they all work so hard? Kim needed to show her staff she could be a leader, and she needed to see the future!

I needed help, since I felt like I wasn't getting through to Kim at all. That's when I decided it was time to talk to Kim's husband, Eric. The business was affecting the whole family, and I wanted his support to hold Kim accountable so she could see the seriousness of the situation. It was understandably very emotional for them to see their house with those signs up, but it finally helped Kim realize it was time to stop being so laid back.

Next it was time for Kim to make a commitment to her business and her staff and show them that she could be a leader. It was hard for Kim, and she slipped back into making excuses, but in the end she really came through.

I really didn't think Kim would be able to keep up the changes, which is why I gave her the final recommendations I did. Honestly I was gobsmacked when I returned and she had followed through with them all. I am also happy to say that today she is still following through, leading her team, and Salon Deco is doing great.