10/14/2026
A Message for My Fellow Small Business Owners and Clients
First, I want to make it clear that this message is not directed at any one person or client in particular. This is a general message about the importance of respecting appointment policies, time, and the livelihood of small business owners. It is something I believe needs to be addressed, not to call anyone out, but to establish clear expectations and help prevent misunderstandings moving forward.
As a small business owner, I work hard to provide the best possible service to my clients. When we communicate, establish a schedule, and you approve those dates and times, those appointments are reserved specifically for you.
Once an appointment is booked, I have committed that time to you. That means I am no longer able to offer that time slot to another client. When an appointment is canceled on the day of the appointment or with less than 24 hours’ notice simply because something else came up, there is often no reasonable opportunity to fill that opening. The loss of that time and income then falls entirely on the small business owner.
I understand that unexpected emergencies, illness, and genuine family matters happen. I have always done my best to be understanding and work with my clients when those situations arise. However, repeatedly canceling an agreed-upon appointment because something else came up, then expecting the business to absorb the loss or immediately accommodate a new date, is not fair to the small business owner.
If I miss a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment without providing proper notice, I may be responsible for a cancellation or missed-appointment fee. The same principle applies to small businesses. Our time is our livelihood.
Because a signed invoice and existing policies have not always been enough to prevent misunderstandings, I will now be implementing updated client forms and signed agreements to clearly establish these expectations before services are provided. This is not about being difficult. It is about protecting my business, respecting my time, and ensuring I can continue providing quality service to the clients who respect and value the time I reserve for them.
To all of my clients who have consistently respected my policies, communicated when something genuinely unexpected happened, and never taken advantage of my willingness to accommodate you, thank you. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. And to those with whom I have rescheduled appointments out of kindness and understanding, thank you even more for respecting that accommodation rather than treating it as an open-ended option. There is a difference between appreciating someone’s willingness to work with you and expecting that flexibility every time.
Small businesses cannot continue to operate if our time, schedules, and income are treated as though they have no value. We have expenses to cover, families to support, and livelihoods that depend on the time we dedicate to our work. Behind every small business is a person who has invested their time, energy, and resources into providing a service.
And to my fellow small business owners: I am putting together updated forms and agreements to help protect our businesses and clearly communicate these expectations. If you would like a copy once they are completed, feel free to reach out. I am happy to share them with other small business owners because protecting small businesses starts with protecting our time, establishing clear expectations, and maintaining healthy professional boundaries.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support small businesses and understands that respecting our time is part of respecting the services we provide.
