Dani had arrived early at her clinic this morning, it was a hot summer Saturday and she was excited for her new venture. She had opened her beauty salon a couple of years ago and had built up a really good clientele base offering manicures, pedicures, facials and makeup sessions, she had also recently started offering massages.
After a year of evening classes at a local college she had finally had been awarded her diploma 6 weeks ago and had started her new venture a couple of weeks later. Her business plan was to offer a massage at the same time clients had one of her personalised facial packs, leaving them feeling good physically as well as looking great.
So far it was going well, a few of her regulars had tried it out already and been really impressed. It also made great money for her as she could charge for two treatments at the same time.
She looked at her schedule for the day & smiled at how busy she was. After enjoying the experience last weekend, one of her regulars, Mrs. Winters, had booked her twin sons in for a facial and massage package each this afternoon, as a treat for their graduations. She'd said she was really proud of them for studying so hard and wanted them to relax after the stress of waiting for their exam results.
They would be the first male clients that Dani had massaged and she was a little apprehensive about it, especially as she was only a few years older than the boys herself at 26, but felt sure it would all be fine.
She looked up as the door opened, it was Alex, her part-time receptionist, "Morning Alex!" she beamed, "How are you doing today?"
"Hey Dani," he replied as he breezed in, "yeah really good thanks, I placed 3rd in my swimming competition yesterday so super pleased about that! How are you, do we have a busy day?"
"Oh well done! Yeah, definitely, super busy today. Really glad you're in as I'm back to back all day. Are you ok to get everything ready for me please in therapy room 2?"
Alex had worked for Dani since she opened, in the early days he'd been a part-time receptionist whilst he studied for his A-levels, but he had gradually taken on more responsibility and recently had started as her apprentice. He loved the way the clients enjoyed their treatments and always left feeling great about themselves. He had decided he wanted a career in beauty himself.
He could already do some of the nail treatments after shadowing Dani and had completed a week-long taster course at the start of the summer which included a mixture of waxing, massage and other treatments. He would start structured learning again in the autumn, in the meantime he was just keen to get as much practical experience as he could.
Dani was delighted with Alex, he was a natural with her clients and had a real passion for beauty therapy. It was also great to have a man on board as she felt there was a huge untapped market for men in the town, and that many would feel more comfortable with a male therapist.
He came in and quickly scanned through Dani's appointment schedule and then set to work preparing the oils and waxes and other materials she would need, as well as making them both a cup of coffee.
By lunchtime they both needed a break after a steady stream of ladies had been in and been plucked, waxed, manicured and threaded.
At 12:45 Mrs. Sykes came in, loaded with shopping bags and smiled at Alex, "Hi Alex dear, I'm here for my 1 o'clock with Dani, I've been looking forward to this all week! Mr. S is away and I'm treating myself!"
"Ah morning Mrs. Sykes!" smiled Alex, "lovely to see you, looks like you've been shopping! Take a seat and I'll get you a drink whilst you wait."
You wouldn't have known it but Alex had panicked when she walked in though... she was one of their best customers, wealthy and a big spender with them... the issue was there wasn't any booking for her today. Somehow they must have double booked.
He engaged in a bit of detective work, "what are you seeing Dani for today?" he asked as he brought over her usual cup of chamomile tea.
"Well I thought you'd know that dear," she said, "I'm treating myself to a facial rejuvenation package followed by a manicure and a full make-up session. I'm going to the theatre this evening with my girlfriends and want to impress. I'm having my hair done next door at 3 so it's all a bit tight really."
"Oh yes of course," Alex laughed, "lovely, what are you seeing at the theatre?"
"Its that new one," she said, "some sort of comedy, I forget the name though." she frowned in mock concentration as she picked up a magazine to read while she waited.
"I'm sure it's good'" Alex replied, "I'll just go and let Dani know you're here."
Alex quickly walked down the hallway to the first treatment room where luckily Dani was just stepping out. "Dani!" he said in a panicked whisper, "we have a problem, you're double booked! Mrs Sykes is in and she has at least a couple of hours of stuff that she's expecting! I've no idea how this happened I'm so sorry..." Poor Alex looked almost like he was going to cry.
"Oh no," Breathed Dani putting her hand to her mouth. Both Mrs. Sykes and Mrs. Winters were key clients and very gossipy... She couldn't afford to annoy either of them. "Give me 5 minutes," she said to Alex, "I'm just finishing up in here, I'll think of a plan, you'll need to help me though!"
"Sure, sure - whatever you need." answered Alex, desperate to make up for his booking error.