Hot take: I stopped saying yes to every job and my income went up

For years, I took any client who called, even the ones who haggled over my $75 grooming rate or wanted a full groom at 7 PM. My schedule was packed, but I was burned out and broke. Then, six months ago, I got a nasty review from a lady whose poodle I squeezed in after hours. She said I rushed the job. That was the last straw. I raised my base price to $95, set firm hours, and started turning down the cheap, difficult people. I was scared I'd lose half my business. Instead, I filled the freed-up slots with better clients who book ahead and tip. My take-home pay is about 30% higher now with less stress. Has anyone else found that being pickier actually saved their freelance business?

3 comments

3 Comments

mitchell.wade2mo ago

Sounds like a good way to starve in a slow month.

milab752mo ago

Took me way too long to learn that lesson myself. My bank account looked like a cry for help until I stopped taking the last-minute nightmare appointments. Quality clients are just less work all around.

victor8632mo ago

So how do you spot a quality client before they book?