The last two blogs kind of zapped my energy so I took a break, sorry.
I will say that once I pinpointed the issue of my bridal-associate funk and got it out in the open for me to see and finally deal with, I felt much better about work. Even though work had nothing to do with the problem, it was effected by it.
I'm not going to speak of the Jerry Sandusky/Penn State scandal anymore except to say that the chaos that has followed is what happens when human beings choose not to do the right thing. Innocent people get hurt. Everyone suffers the consequences.
OK, enough of that. Work at the bridal shop seemed to have new life in it as my lack of motivation dissipated and I found myself in a better mood with an actual desire to work with people again.
The lucky bride to encounter this newly restored attitude was a bride on a very limited budget. And a limited time schedule as there were cupcakes in the back of her car and it was July.
Although she was very big-chested, the rest of her was tiny. In addition, the dress that she really loved had several layers of chiffon softly draped down over the chest. The rest of the dress was plain chiffon and she just looked like an inverted triangle.
Now I should have been more of an advocate for another style, since this particular pattern made her look even wider at the widest part of her. But she was so in love with it, I didn't push the issue because there wasn't really time to do so.
I did get the chance to steer her in a better direction when she made another appointment two months later, and requested that I work with her. She had really appreciated the time I spent with her.
(I bet that was God arranging the whole thing any way, to get me back on track, being among people, and not hiding from them.) He was throwing me a bone.
We revisited the same dress again, but I did encourage her to try on different styles, to give her a chance to see herself in other simple, yet elegant dresses within her budget.
I put her in a classic bridesmaid dress (they all come in white or ivory and will save any bride tons of money) in which the bodice crissed-crossed below a slightly plunged neckline. What a difference a v-neckline and some ruching makes on a well-endowed woman! Oo-la la!
She liked the look, but kept coming back to the very first one. At this point, when the client seems set on dress, I'll have one of the owners come in to see if she can offer any suggestions on how to make the dress better for the bride, if it can be done. The owners have way more authority with the brides than I do!
Of course, the owner simply came out and told the bride that the draping on the first dress made her appear "wider," which was the truth. I kept that fact to myself because she loved the dress, which wasn't in the best interest of the client. My mistake and now the owner knows it too.
A small reprieve came when the owner did agree with the classic "X" shaped bodice of the other dress. I left the two of them alone as the owner gave a strong argument for that style verses the draped bodice style of the other one. In the end, the bride saw the light.
I can't blame that mistake on being a rookie. I knew better. Being an RN and a mother for 20 years, I've gotten good at advocating for what is best for the well-being of the individual. That is true even when what the person or child may want is not what they need. It's my job to step up and help them to see this reasoning.
I weakly did my job with this bride, but the owner stepped in and made the case, and the bride left happy.
Nonetheless, what I didn't do weakly was go into an appointment with a bad attitude. And it seemed to be the case with the other appointments that came my way. I didn't get annoyed. I truly enjoyed hearing brides explain their visions and tried to help fulfill them, bringing in the help of the other associates when I couldn't see where to go next.
My dread for interaction with others continues to wane and it shows by brides returning for second appointments, asking for me. I've even sold a few dresses, without even making that my goal. I don't work on commission, so it doesn't matter who gets credit for the sale any way. I'm just thrilled that I am helping the owners build their business.
And I think they're just happy that I'm back in the saddle again.
