My boss and lover, Melissa, called to ask my sister and I to come to her office. When we arrived, she said a model agency had an interest in Sarah to model some eyewear for an up and coming eyeglasses company. Sarah was excited about getting her first modeling job, but modeling eyeglasses wasn't exactly the sexy, glamorous photo shoot she had envisioned. She didn't even wear eyeglasses!
When we arrived at Melissa's office, she told me she had three women who were very interested in having some boudoir photographs. She explained to them that I was extremely busy right now, but I would have my receptionist call them to schedule an appointment. Two things were wrong about that statement. First, I wasn't extremely busy, and second, I didn't have a receptionist to call them back. I explained that to Melissa and she said, "Oh, John. You're a very good photographer but you have a lot to learn about business. You don't want people to think you're sitting around waiting on someone to call. These women are used to calling for restaurant reservations and being told it would be a three or four day wait. They want to feel like you are doing them a favor by taking their business, not the other way around. They want to feel like they're dealing with an exclusive photographer. They will tell their friends that they had some great photos taken, and when their friends show an interest, they will be told that you are very exclusive, and they should expect a delay before you can see them. If someone calls and asks for photos, and you tell them they can come in the same afternoon, they will think you are some hack who sits around all day waiting on someone to call. Understand?"
"Yeah, I guess. So, what should I do? Should I call them back and set up an appointment?"
"No. You should never call your clients. Give your schedule to your receptionist and have her call back to make the appointment. Make sure to have her tell them you are not available until next week."
"Uh, Melissa, I don't have a receptionist."
"Oh! You haven't met her yet? Have Julie take you next door so you can meet her. Give her your class schedule and go over any other appointments you might have and have her call the first name on the list. I already gave her the names and phone numbers of your first three clients."
Melissa continued, "Okay. Now for Sarah. I have a photo shoot arranged for you to model some eyeglasses. I told them I would get back to them, so I need your class schedule so we can set a time and date. I know it's not a sexy swimwear shoot, but it's your first job. In the beginning, you need to take whatever you can get. The job didn't come directly from the eyeglass company, it came from an advertising agency, so if they like what they see, they may have you model some other products.
John, go meet your receptionist and then come back here so we can chat some more."
I got up and went through the door to Julie's desk where I asked her if she could introduce me to my new receptionist. "Sure John, I'd be happy to. She's an old friend of mine. Follow me."
We walked next door to my new office where Julie introduced me to my new receptionist. "John, I'd like you to meet Amy. We went to college together for two years, then we dropped out and went to secretarial school. Amy, this is your new boss, John."
Amy flashed me a million-dollar smile, and I swear her eyes were sparkling. I hate to guess a woman's age, because I'm usually wrong, but in my mind, I guessed she was between twenty-five and thirty. She was very well dressed, or more accurately, professionally dressed. She had dark brown hair that hung to her shoulders and green eyes. She was beautiful. I said, "I'm very glad to meet you Amy. Do you mind if I sit?"
Amy and Julie both laughed and then Amy said, "Go ahead, sir, but you don't need to ask. It's your office!"
I blushed as I realized how stupid that must have sounded. I answered, "Yeah, I guess that's right. You'll have to forgive me, but I've never had my own office before. Oh, and you don't have to call me sir. John will be fine."
Julie said, "I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I should get back to my desk." When she walked out, I said, "So, Amy, tell me a little about yourself, if you don't mind."
"Of course. My name is Amy Hayes, I'm 31 years old, and for the past six years, I worked for a lawyer. I grew up in Encinitas and, like Julie said, I went to San Diego State with her for two years until we discovered we could make more money as a secretary than we could with a degree. Plus, we didn't have to worry about paying back a huge tuition loan debt. I'm single. I have never been married and have never had children. That's about it."
"Wow, forgive me for being so bold, but I can't believe a woman as beautiful as you has never been married."
"Thank you, John. Julie said you were sweet. I met a guy my first year in college and he asked me to marry him. I accepted, but before we could get married, he died in a skydiving accident. It took me a long time to get over that, and I just never got serious with another guy."
"I am so sorry, Amy. I didn't mean to bring up old wounds."
"It's okay. You didn't know, and I have gotten past that."
"So, you said you worked for a lawyer for six years. What happened there?"
