How Much I Love My New Job

1.  It's not really that new anymore, but I've still been there less time than any other salon I worked for before.

2.  Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots ad infinitum.

I've been working in salons now for just over 17 years, and a licensed stylist for 15.  This is only the fifth salon where I've been an employee.  Just prior to starting at Mango, I was self employed for precisely 4 years, during which time I rented chairs at three consecutive locations.  I hated moving that much, but one bad decision can lead to years of difficulty.  But that's another blog post.

I may have mentioned waaaaay back then that I was apprehensive about returning to being an employee.  My previous jobs had been, let's say "uninspiring" to the point that I chose self employment almost as a means of quitting the business more so than advancing in it.  I look at those years now as a sabbatical of sorts.  A sort of working-just-enough-to-pay-the-bills sabbatical.  Which is not really a sabbatical at all, but it sounds better than "I became depressed and lazy about my career and this was the next best thing to getting a government check."

ON TO THE GOOD PART OF THE STORY.

I have a bunch of clients that I have seen ever since I was fresh out of beauty school.  They have stuck by me through all of the many changes of locale and personae, and crises and insanitae.  I love them all and I hope they stick with me for another 15 years.

In the past, when I have started at a new job or rental salon, they come in for the first time and I just gush about how wonderful the new place is and how I'll stay there forever because it's really so much better than where I was before.  Four to six weeks later, they come in again and I tell them how the shine has dulled a bit, but I still really like it and will be there for the long haul.  Their third visit usually involves me using the phrase, "The honeymoon is over," and the next time they come in, I'm patiently plotting my exit strategy.

But this April, everything was different.  As the clients who know me best (who have had to make many personal adjustments over the last year in order to stay my clients, for which I am perpetually grateful) heard a totally different story.  "How long have you been here now?" they'd ask.  When I told them I was about to finish my first year, they'd all kind of lower their voice and ask, "So....?  Is it still working out?"  To which I would gladly let them know:

After a full year of working at Mango, I actually love it more than I did when I started.  My coworkers who impressed me at the start can only truly be appreciated after some longevity as I get to know what consistently sweet and interesting people they really are.  The management team (which is something no other salon I've ever worked for even had) is so completely dedicated and hard-working and committed to helping me do a better job that, well, I do a better job than I've ever been able to do before.  And the owners....Oh my gosh, the owners.  They are the sweetest, smartest, funniest, most personable salon owners EVER.

So, yeah.  I love it that much.