Introduction

It is true that there are good and amazing days, just as there are odious and terrible days. Days you would have never predicted that something could possibly go wrong. I am a fashion designer, It is partly true the insinuations that sometimes, we do not keep our own end of the bargain with clients, but it suffices to say that when this outcome is the case, it is not always the case that it is being planned from onset or anything like that. Sometimes, things spiral out of our own control.

As a tradition, I like cutting clients' fabrics on Monday, and then by Tuesday work commences. There is one of my clients that I never dreamt of disappointing. I did not disappoint her per say. There was instead a mix up. She gave six (6) fabrics to be sown and sent styles through WhatsApp to me, and i had to deliver dresses to five (5) clients that week. The style chosen by two of my clients needed extra attention. In the process, I thought I was doing the right thing, but ended up cutting the material that was supposed to be used as skirt and blouse for gown, and the one for gown as skirt and blouse.

I finished sowing and was already gloating about my craft, concluding that I am in fact perfectly through. Thinking about these events any time they come to mind, send me into a frenzy of boisterous laughers, especially remembering the confidence that filled my chest as I readied to get my money from the client for the jobs.

On Thursday, the client I hate disappointing came over to collect her dresses. The first words I heard they made my ears tingle were: "Rachael ah ah this material you used to sow the gown is for the skirt and blouse likewise the other one. How could you make such a mistake? Today is not a good day, I don't know how you are going to do it, but rectify this issue now or you won't like me ooooo!" After she reeled out her mind, she stormed out in rage.

How I handled the difficult situation.

I sweated from head to toe, considering the material I switched to make gown instead of blouse and skirt was for a meeting to be held for women of high standing in the society, and was also the uniform. Did I add that I fainted and revived myself again all by myself? I begged all I could, but then had to go to where fabrics are sold to see if i will get the exact material, to no avail. I decided to call one of my customer at Aba that sells fabrics to help me check for the selfsame material. He saw it, though the quality was not as good as the other one. At this point, it was better than not seeing it all. I then made skirt and blouse that was way finer than the earlier one she planned using on Sunday.

My fabric customer sent the wrapper Friday evening. I had to stay up all night to make the wear, and it indeed came out well. Though I was exhausted, the smile of satisfaction I drew from my client's face, made the pains evaporate, leaving me with the conviction that my sleepless night was worth the struggle. When she came over in the morning to try it on, everything clung to her frame perfectly. She was so happy and impressed at my rapid improvisation initiative. Although she was still complaining about the quality of the material, she still had to pay me handsomely, and apologised for her rude tone to me the other day.

Conclusion

I found that day that in all we do as entrepreneurs in whatever field, emotional intelligence for handling customers is very vital. What if I was not quick to put the situation under wraps? I would lose a huge client and a couple others that were going to later be birthed from her loins!