Why I lost my biggest client…

Yesterday, while on Instagram, up popped a picture from 2 years ago. This was the picture:

This picture was from my first job with, let’s call him, Gus, for privacy reasons. Gus was referred to me by a wonderful real estate agent whom is also a friend. Gus is an extremely successful builder who owns lots commercial and residential property in Orange County. Gus was looking for someone to stage/decorate a duplex in Corona del Mar that he may live in, may rent or may sell. He wasn’t sure but he wanted it done asap, and on a budget. After speaking with him on the phone we agreed to meet at the property the next day. I showed up early as usual and he was already there.

I introduced myself, we shook hands and then he said: ” The blind lady was just here and she quoted me $6,000 for blinds, which color do you like? He showed me a piece of paper with wooden mini blinds and several color options. I then said: “I hate these kinds of blinds! Can’t we just put up white pottery barn curtains? They would cost less than $1,000 and they would look beautiful!” He quirked his head to the side, looked me in the eye and said: “You’re hired! You just saved me $5000!” We then walked through the small duplex and he told me exactly what furniture he wanted me to buy. He also indicated that all the art needed to be of trees and he hated throw pillows. What, all trees? I agreed to not add any throw pillows even though I love lots of pillows but I did challenge him on the art. We came to a compromise. I agreed to use 2 pictures that were not my favorite, but were painted by his friend, but if I had to use them, the other art in the house could not be of trees. He agreed.

I finished the job in less than 2 weeks and he was thrilled. After that job was finished, he asked me to come to his house in Laguna Beach and “spruce it up.” His house was situated on the beach front which a spectacular view.

I met him there several times over a few months period of time and added a few accessories, moved some stuff around and did a little decluttering. Several months later he asked me to consult with him on a property he was trying to buy at another beach front location. He wanted my opinion on possible ways of expanding the current layout. I have to tell you, I loved seeing all these amazing properties and was flattered that he wanted my help. Time goes by and he randomly calls me to ask my opinion on a piece of furniture or a property. About a year after working with him, he calls and asks me to go over to a home he is considering buying on Harbor Island and look around. He wants my opinion on what would need to be done to fix up the place.

He told me he was leaving on vacation, so to let myself in and draw up my ideas so he could review them when he got home. How fun, talk about a dream job! I spent an hour walking around the glorious property dreaming of how I would expand the kitchen, clean up the original terrazzo floors and get rid of the hideous build-ins. Long story short, he ended up buying the property and decided he was going to move from Laguna to this property. I didn’t hear from him for months and then he called and asked me to meet him at the Harbor Island House. This was his typical approach. I wouldn’t hear from him for months at a time then all of the sudden he would want my help with a project and he would call, email and text me daily until the job was done.

Anyways, I met him at the house, which was under construction. I was excited to see that he had expanded the kitchen exactly as I had suggested and now he was ready to choose curtains, pick out furniture and decide what to take from Laguna to this house. He was very anxious about moving and wanted my help organizing the process. So for the next few months I worked really hard getting the house set up for him so he could move in without any stress. I bought the towels, the bedding, the furniture, the household supplies, you name it and I did it. It was such a fun job. Anyways, as our job was coming to an end, I sensed he was getting a little attached to me. I have had this happen before, so I’m very careful to put up appropriate boundaries and not be misleading. I’m a born flirt but have learned I cannot be remotely flirtatious while working for male clients.

Let’s review the facts. He is a very wealthy single man in his 60’s. He is very nice, but also very odd. Odd enough, that I often thought he might be on the spectrum. I am a married, 49 year old lady with a few extra stomach rolls, but I clean up pretty nice. I think he sensed my sudden distance and he told me he was ready to take a break from adding anything more to the house. We really needed to add more furniture but he wanted to live in the spaces for a while before adding anything else. Okay, great! Perfect time for a break.

I don’t hear from him for a month and then he calls and asks me to meet him over at the house to review what else we need to buy to finish the place. I show up at the designated time and the garage is open. I walk in through the garage door and call his name repeatedly. I can’t find him anywhere, but I hear a television on in the master bedroom. This man is never late and if he is, he always calls or texts me. Where the heck is he? I think he is in his bedroom. My brain starts screaming ” Tiffani, DO NOT GO IN THE MASTER BEDROOM looking for him!” I listen to my intuition and stand in the middle of the living room and decide to text him on my phone. “I’m here, where are you?” Suddenly he emerges from the master bedroom with his hair all messed up as if he had been taking a nap. That’s weird! I tried talking myself out of my suspicious thoughts. “He must have fallen asleep and lost track of time?” I ignored the weirdness of the situation but kept a good distance between us as we walked from room to room discussing what needed to be done. In the following days, we email back and forth about different art pieces for the office and then he disappears again for a few weeks. He calls me again several weeks later and says he has decided he needs an area rug for under the huge couch. Once again I show up for a meeting with him at the house and immediately start measuring the space so I can determine how big the rug should be. While I am measuring he plops down on the couch and leans all the way back, with his hands behind his head. I’m suddenly on high alert. Why the heck is he laying down on the couch with his legs opened while I am bending over measuring for this area rug? This is weird! And then my suspicions are confirmed when he starts saying; ” I appreciate you so much Tiffani, I can’t tell you how wonderful you are……” He keeps complimenting me while lying down on the couch, while I’m standing. What the heck is going on here? Is he actually making a move and if so, what is this move? Laying back on the couch with his legs spread? Was he expecting me to jump on top of him? I know have been married for 27 years, but is this some new move, I don’t know about?

I was so confused but I instantly backed up, stopped measuring, folded my hands in front of my lady parts as if they were a shield protecting me and then said: “Ummm, I’m going to go! I’ll look for some rug options and email them to you. BYE!” I quickly left with a sick feeling in my stomach. I felt super bummed. Was he really coming on to me? Gross, why??? I went home and told Lou what happened. He confirmed my worst suspicions and thought Gus was coming on to me. I tried to ignore what had happened and researched for a rug. I sent him several options the following day and he never responded to my email. This was rare. He always responded. I waited several more days and then sent him a text that said: ” I emailed you a few rug options several days ago and you didn’t respond, which is no big deal. I just wanted you to know I’m waiting on your decisions until I can move forward.” He didn’t respond again. What? He had never not responded in the 2 years I worked with him. A week went by and I sent him one more email with the rug choices. His response: ” I haven’t decided yet.”

I couldn’t believe it! He really was coming on to me and because I refused his super weird flirtation he wasn’t going to work with me anymore. I talked to Lou over and over about it. I was shocked, upset, annoyed, pissed, disgusted, I mean the list of emotions goes on and on. Of course Lou made it worse by saying :” Well, you don’t charge very much. He probably figured you were easy, since you’re so cheap compared to other decorators.” I could have killed him for that comment. Really, Lou? “Yes, rich guys think like that.” Gross!

I finally sent Gus his final bill. He mailed me a check and I never heard from him again. That was 8 months ago. So there you have it. The story of how I lost my best paying client. Oh well, I’m finally over it.

xoxo tiffani