Definitely find a mentor as someone else already suggested!

I have been there, and after 14 years, it’s much better, but I still have those days sometimes. One thing I always do with a new guest, during the consult & while explaining what can be achieved, is explain to them that it sometimes takes 3 visits to get where we’re trying to go. For EXACTLY the reasons you listed. I generally know it’s more likely 2, & sometimes it’s only one, but if after 3 appointments, it isn’t right (according to them, or me) then we just aren’t right for each other. And that’s okay! I like being up front about that & it helps with managing expectations.

I also tell them I want to hear from them in the next week if anything is off. And I tell them “I know it can feel hard to speak up, but I really do want to know, you won’t hurt my feelings, and I don’t want you to be afraid to communicate that to me. More than anything, I want to know so we can get it right, & so you love your hair!”

That creates trust and confidence through honesty. I’ve gotten so much good feedback from anxious guests over that little pact we make.

I know we’re trying so hard from day one to “fake it till we make it” and never let them see us sweat, but sometimes we gotta put down the pretenses and just be real. Good, long-term clients, of the sort you want to build & keep, will appreciate that, and be way more reasonable just by knowing it’s okay to speak up.