How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
By Tracy Schruder
As I reflect on my journey, I realize that a perceived failure in my early career as a hairdresser was actually a stepping stone to success. My story begins with a passion for beauty and a desire to become a hairstylist. I landed an apprenticeship at Delilah’s, a local salon, and was eager to learn from the experienced owners, Barb and Joanne.
However, my enthusiasm was short-lived. A series of mishaps, including a particularly pungent pedicure client, led to a stern reprimand from my bosses. Despite my best efforts, I struggled to meet their expectations, and the criticism continued to mount.
The final straw came when I was reprimanded for greeting a friend who had come to the salon for a haircut. My boss’s harsh words and refusal to cut my friend’s hair were the last straw. I realized that I didn’t want to become a hairdresser if it meant adopting the same attitude and behavior as my bosses.
I left the salon and enrolled in college to complete my cosmetology course. Although I finished the program, I couldn’t secure another job in the field. It was as if the experience at Delilah’s had tainted my reputation.
But, as it often does, adversity became an opportunity. I found work at a coffee shop and began to focus on my true passion: writing. I went back to school to study creative writing and started working on my craft.
Today, I am proud to say that I have built a fulfilling career as a writer, administrator, and Reiki practitioner. My first self-help book for women is awaiting publication, and I am working on several other manuscripts, including a memoir and autobiography.
In hindsight, I am grateful that my hairdressing career didn’t work out. If it had, I might have missed the opportunity to discover my true calling as a writer. My experience at Delilah’s was a failure, but it was also a blessing in disguise. It taught me that sometimes, what seems like a setback can actually be a stepping stone to success.
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