This is SO infuriating and it happens to ALL of us–often. Don’t let that inform your opinion about such a broad group of people though. For every person like her, you’ll find several who take their jobs seriously. Millennials in particular can be very industrious. However, I’d revisit your compensation structure. In this industry, the phrase “you get what you pay for” applies not just to the services, but to the quality of worker you can expect.

Omg, that sounds terrible! I’m so glad that you’re doing better and came out on top of everything. It’s entirely typical for unprepared, inexperienced owners to get in over their head and bail, leaving their professionals scrambling. I consider it completely unacceptable and unethical, but until people like that are held accountable and forced to face consequences for their actions, more and more #girlbosses will enter the industry and repeat the cycle. :/ Plus side–the best, most capable owners I’ve met are ones who have gone through hell, working with and for people who had no right opening a business in the first place.

Never, ever say that you “can’t,” because I can assure you, that salvaging your business is entirely possible–it just might take a while to rebuild. Once you do, you’ll be better and stronger for it, and better able to focus your attention on it.

One of the first things I discuss with potential salon owners is that their personal affairs need to be in order. A business requires full-time attention, and if you’re having relationship troubles or dealing with a family illness, it’s not the time. So, I’m saying this in allcaps because it’s important to me that you understand it and believe it (sometimes big letters helps make that happen)–YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.

Your mother pulled through, but what if she hadn’t? What if you spent every second of your available time building a successful business and lost your mother? You can (and will) rebuild your business. That time with your mother? Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. There’s no way to get it back. When weighing the potential consequences of your decisions, I’m sure you realized that the time with your mother was far more valuable than anything else.

Additionally, you can’t anticipate or control how you respond to stressful situations like that; nobody can. Don’t beat yourself up for having a hard time functioning during that time period. That doesn’t make you a failure or incapable. You’re human, and you were put in an impossible situation at a time that was already extremely stressful.

In short–I’d have done the same if I were you. I’d have cut my losses, found a less stressful position at someone else’s salon, and focused on my family.

Now that you’ve moved past this and your mother has pulled through, you can start again when you’re ready. It’s not impossible and it can be done, just go at your own pace and don’t pressure yourself to take on more than you should before you’re ready.

You’ll learn pretty quickly that some coworkers can’t be trusted. This is a problem you’ll be likely to encounter throughout your career. It’s crappy, but we work with a lot of nice, expensive equipment and not everyone you work with will be respectful of your things and some will even take them from you. Honestly, I’d say something to management about it and see how they handle the situation. I’m guessing this isn’t the only problem you’re having there or you wouldn’t be considering leaving. If you were really happy there, stolen combs would be an irritation, but not reason enough to resign.

I’ve been working at a corporate run salon for about three weeks. This weekend, I left my expensive combs in the barbicide. Go in today, to discover they are gone. I realize I should have taken them home with me like I always do, but I can’t help but feel very discouraged and want to finish out the week and say, nice knowing ya. Seems petty big picture, but it hits home very hard, I can’t help but wonder what is next.