Enough Is Enough: Knowing When to Fire, Freeze, or Fix

December 09, 2025

Hello, hello — and welcome back to Greedy Bitch, the podcast for groomers who are done apologizing for wanting more. I’m your host, River Lee, founder of The Savvy Groomer, and if you’re new here — this show is where we talk about the real stuff behind running a grooming business. The money, the mindset, the boundaries — and all the messy middle that comes with it. And listen… we’re hitting that time of year again. The holidays. When every human being on Earth seems to lose their mind just a little bit. Clients are calling last minute. Everyone suddenly “forgot” that Christmas comes the same day every year. People are cranky, tired, stressed — including you. But here’s the truth, my friend: This isn’t just about the holidays. This is the highlight reel of who people really are under pressure. So today, we’re going to talk about recognizing when enough is enough. Today's episode is “Enough Is Enough: Knowing When to Fire, Freeze, or Fix” I’m going to help you decide how to tell when someone — a client, an employee, even a coworker — has crossed the line from stressful… to unacceptable. And even better — how to stop guessing, and start collecting data so that come January, you’re making clear, confident decisions instead of emotional, exhausted ones. Alright — deep breath. Grab your notebook, grab your coffee, and let’s get into it. Okay, let’s start here — I know everyone’s cranky right now. Clients, staff, even your delivery driver who’s running three hours late. It’s chaos. You’re running on caffeine and adrenaline, praying the power doesn’t go out mid-bath. But I want you to remember something that’s going to change how you see this whole season: Stress doesn’t create bad people — it reveals them. This time of year, people show their true colors. And if you pay attention, this month will tell you everything you need to know about who you want in your business next year. Some folks? When things get hard, they get generous. They bring cookies. They show up on time because they know you’re slammed. They even tip a little extra because they see your effort. Those are your green flag people — your soulmate clients, your team players, your keepers. But then there’s the other kind. The ones who, the moment life doesn’t go perfectly their way, start acting like the world owes them special treatment. They nitpick. They guilt-trip. They send those “just checking in” messages that really mean “Why aren’t you prioritizing me over everyone else?” And here’s the kicker — they’ve probably been like that all year. You just haven’t had the bandwidth to notice. Because when you’re busy and stressed, the little things that used to be “no big deal” start to sting. That tone in their voice. That sarcastic comment. That coworker who “just has a bad attitude.” Let’s be honest — some of those relationships were fine when everything was easy. But now? You’re starting to see what’s underneath. That’s the gift of December. Everyone’s mask slips a little. And instead of judging them — or yourself — I want you to use that as data. Now, data doesn’t sound sexy, right? But data is power. Data is how you stop running your business based on emotion and start running it like the CEO you are. So this month, I want you to become a quiet observer. Think of yourself as a scientist in your own business. You’re not jumping to conclusions; you’re collecting information. Who apologizes when they mess up? Who gets defensive when you set a boundary? Who handles pressure with grace versus those who melt down or lash out? If a client shows up late once, okay. Life happens. But if they’re late three times, complain about the price increase, and then act like they’re doing you a favor by showing up at all — Girl, that’s not a client, that’s a walking red flag wrapped in tinsel. Same goes for your team. If your bather forgets to restock shampoo once, that’s an oops. If it happens every week — and they roll their eyes when you bring it up — that’s a pattern. And patterns don’t lie. Here’s another thing to watch for: how people treat you when you say no. It’s easy for someone to be “nice” when you’re saying yes. But tell them no — tell them you can’t squeeze them in, or that there’s a late fee, or that you’re closed on Christmas Eve — and see what happens. Do they respect you? Or do they try to make you feel guilty? That reaction tells you everything. Because respectful clients don’t make you defend your boundaries. They might be disappointed, but they get it. They’ll say, “Oh, no worries! I’ll book earlier next time.” And then there’s the other kind… “You can’t just make an exception for me?” “Wow, I thought you valued my business.” That’s manipulation, not loyalty. And listen — I’m not saying cut everyone off the moment they frustrate you. This isn’t about being reactive. It’s about being aware. You can’t manage what you don’t measure. You can’t fix what you won’t admit is broken. So instead of venting to your friends or spiraling in your head, start writing it down. Seriously. Grab a sticky note, a notebook, or your phone — whatever works. When something happens, jot down what it was and how it made you feel. You’re not keeping score; you’re building clarity. Because by the time January rolls around, you’re going to look at that list and see patterns that were invisible before. And that’s when you’ll realize — oh. This isn’t “holiday stress.” This is who they really are when they think I’ll tolerate it. You know how people say “the way someone talks to waitstaff tells you who they are”? Well, the way your clients act during December tells you who they’ll be for the rest of the year. So let this month be your audition tape. Who gets cast for Season 2026 of your business, and who’s getting written out of the script? Because if you want peace, profit, and better clients next year — this is where it starts. Not by burning bridges, but by seeing clearly. Collect the data now. Your future self will thank you. Alright, so now that you’re collecting data — let’s talk about how to actually use it. I want to introduce you to a little system I swear every groomer needs tattooed on their forearm: The Three-Strikes Rule. This is my go-to for when you’re not sure if something is “worth firing someone over,” or if you’re just tired and overreacting. It gives you structure. It gives you emotional distance. It gives you permission to stop second-guessing yourself. Because if you’re anything like me — you’ve probably spent hours wondering: “Am I being too sensitive?” “Am I overreacting?” “Maybe they didn’t mean it that way.” Girl… no. You’re not crazy — you’re just conditioned to tolerate chaos. So here’s how this rule works. Strike One: Mistake. They forgot to confirm their appointment. They showed up late once. Your new bather mixed up shampoo bottles. It happens. People are human. Life gets messy — traffic, sick kids, alarm didn’t go off, whatever. The first strike is your grace period. You give them the benefit of the doubt — but you still document it. Because one strike doesn’t make someone a villain, but it does give you context later. Think of it like dating — the first time someone forgets to text you back, you don’t end it, but you notice. You file it away. If it never happens again, great! They had a bad day. But if it does… you’re ready for Strike Two. Strike Two: Pattern. Now this is where most groomers get stuck. You’ve addressed it once, maybe even twice. You’ve reminded them. You’ve set expectations. And then — they do it again. At this point, it’s not a mistake anymore — it’s a behavior. And behaviors are choices. When someone keeps crossing your boundaries after you’ve communicated clearly, they’re not confused. They’re testing you. You see this all the time: That client who no-shows twice and says, “Oh my gosh, I just forgot again, can you squeeze me in?” Or that bather who “accidentally” clocks out early every Friday. They know exactly what they’re doing. They’re seeing if you mean what you say. And listen — this is where your people-pleaser brain tries to negotiate. “Well, they’re going through a lot…” “It’s the holidays…” “I don’t want to be mean.” I get it. But this is where your boundaries either build your business — or break it. Because if you keep excusing behavior, you’re teaching them how to treat you. And when you allow something twice, you’ve just turned it into an expectation. Strike Three: Choice. By this point, they’ve had two opportunities to do better. You’ve been clear, you’ve been kind, and you’ve given them the roadmap. So if they do it again — that’s not an accident. That’s a decision. And when someone is actively choosing to disrespect your policies, your time, or your team — That’s not a miscommunication. That’s a mismatch. You don’t need to explode. You don’t need to have a meltdown. You don’t even need to justify it. You just need to make a note: “This person has shown me who they are.” And when someone shows you who they are — believe them. I can hear some of you already — “But River, it’s Christmas! Everyone’s stressed! Don’t I owe them a little grace?” Yeah, sure. Grace once. Maybe even twice. But if someone only acts like a decent human when life’s convenient for them? That’s not a soulmate client. That’s a seasonal one. And you, my friend, are not building a business founded on people who can’t be relied upon. This Three-Strikes Rule isn’t about being harsh. It’s about being methodical. It’s a way to protect your peace and your profit without letting guilt run your business. Because grooming is already hard enough. You’ve got hair in your bra, your feet are killing you, and you’re trying to eat lunch over the dryer. You don’t need the same people stealing your joy three times in a row. Here’s how to make this practical. Create a simple list — literally, pen and paper, or your phone notes app. Put three columns: Client/Employee Name, Strikes, Notes. Each time someone crosses a boundary or creates unnecessary stress, jot it down. For example: “Mrs. Brown — Late again, blamed traffic. Second reminder sent.” “Tom (Bather) — Forgot to sweep again after close. Talked to him Friday.” “Mrs. Lopez — Texted angrily about matting fee, refused to prebook.” You’re not judging, you’re documenting. This is your receipts file. Because when January hits and you’re calmer, you can look at that list and make clear decisions: Who’s improving? Who’s still testing you? Who’s gotta go? That’s how you make data-driven decisions — not emotional ones. And when you do? You’ll notice something magical happens: You stop feeling guilty for holding boundaries, and start feeling confident about who you give your time to. Because you’re not just “firing a client.” You’re curating your peace. You’re creating a safer, saner work environment. Let me put it this way — every minute you spend re-explaining your rules to someone who doesn’t care is a minute stolen from the clients and staff who actually do care. The Three-Strikes Rule helps you stop chasing the wrong people so you can start nurturing the right ones. And if you’re worried about hurting feelings? Remember — accountability isn’t cruelty. It’s clarity. You’re not punishing anyone. You’re simply refusing to participate in patterns that burn you out. So, take a second and think about it. Who in your business might already be sitting on Strike Two? Who keeps “forgetting” or “not realizing” or “just assuming”? This week, don’t react — record. Because the more you track, the more empowered you’ll feel to make decisions based on truth instead of fatigue. Alright, my friend — take a deep breath. This season will test you, no doubt. But remember: the chaos isn’t here to destroy you. It’s here to reveal you. You’ve worked too hard to build a business that makes you miserable. You deserve peace. You deserve profit. You deserve respect. So this week, grab your client list. Go through it with a highlighter — green, yellow, red. Green for “soulmates.” Yellow for “needs a boundary.” Red for “it’s time to go.” Start collecting your data now, because come January, you’re going to make moves — not excuses. And when you do? You’ll be stepping into the next season of your business as the boss you were always meant to be. Until next time, stay savvy, stay greedy — and never apologize for wanting more. 💋

Episode Transcript

I’m going to help you decide how to tell when someone — a client, an employee, even a coworker — has crossed the line from stressful… to unacceptable.
And even better — how to stop guessing, and start collecting data so that come January, you’re making clear, confident decisions instead of emotional, exhausted ones.
Alright — deep breath. Grab your notebook, grab your coffee, and let’s get into it.

Okay, let’s start here — I know everyone’s cranky right now.
Clients, staff, even your delivery driver who’s running three hours late.
It’s chaos. You’re running on caffeine and adrenaline, praying the power doesn’t go out mid-bath.
But I want you to remember something that’s going to change how you see this whole season:
Stress doesn’t create bad people — it reveals them.
This time of year, people show their true colors.
And if you pay attention, this month will tell you everything you need to know about who you want in your business next year.
Some folks? When things get hard, they get generous. They bring cookies. They show up on time because they know you’re slammed. They even tip a little extra because they see your effort.
Those are your green flag people — your soulmate clients, your team players, your keepers.
But then there’s the other kind.
The ones who, the moment life doesn’t go perfectly their way, start acting like the world owes them special treatment.
They nitpick. They guilt-trip. They send those “just checking in” messages that really mean “Why aren’t you prioritizing me over everyone else?”
And here’s the kicker — they’ve probably been like that all year. You just haven’t had the bandwidth to notice.
Because when you’re busy and stressed, the little things that used to be “no big deal” start to sting.
That tone in their voice.
That sarcastic comment.
That coworker who “just has a bad attitude.”
Let’s be honest — some of those relationships were fine when everything was easy. But now? You’re starting to see what’s underneath.
That’s the gift of December.
Everyone’s mask slips a little.
And instead of judging them — or yourself — I want you to use that as data.
Now, data doesn’t sound sexy, right?
But data is power.
Data is how you stop running your business based on emotion and start running it like the CEO you are.
So this month, I want you to become a quiet observer.
Think of yourself as a scientist in your own business.
You’re not jumping to conclusions; you’re collecting information.
Who apologizes when they mess up?
Who gets defensive when you set a boundary?
Who handles pressure with grace versus those who melt down or lash out?
If a client shows up late once, okay. Life happens.
But if they’re late three times, complain about the price increase, and then act like they’re doing you a favor by showing up at all —
Girl, that’s not a client, that’s a walking red flag wrapped in tinsel.
Same goes for your team.
If your bather forgets to restock shampoo once, that’s an oops.
If it happens every week — and they roll their eyes when you bring it up — that’s a pattern.
And patterns don’t lie.
Here’s another thing to watch for: how people treat you when you say no.
It’s easy for someone to be “nice” when you’re saying yes.
But tell them no — tell them you can’t squeeze them in, or that there’s a late fee, or that you’re closed on Christmas Eve — and see what happens.
Do they respect you?
Or do they try to make you feel guilty?
That reaction tells you everything.
Because respectful clients don’t make you defend your boundaries.
They might be disappointed, but they get it.
They’ll say, “Oh, no worries! I’ll book earlier next time.”
And then there’s the other kind…
“You can’t just make an exception for me?”
“Wow, I thought you valued my business.”
That’s manipulation, not loyalty.
And listen — I’m not saying cut everyone off the moment they frustrate you.
This isn’t about being reactive.
It’s about being aware.
You can’t manage what you don’t measure.
You can’t fix what you won’t admit is broken.
So instead of venting to your friends or spiraling in your head, start writing it down.
Seriously. Grab a sticky note, a notebook, or your phone — whatever works.
When something happens, jot down what it was and how it made you feel.
You’re not keeping score; you’re building clarity.
Because by the time January rolls around, you’re going to look at that list and see patterns that were invisible before.
And that’s when you’ll realize — oh.
This isn’t “holiday stress.”
This is who they really are when they think I’ll tolerate it.

You know how people say “the way someone talks to waitstaff tells you who they are”?
Well, the way your clients act during December tells you who they’ll be for the rest of the year.
So let this month be your audition tape.
Who gets cast for Season 2026 of your business, and who’s getting written out of the script?
Because if you want peace, profit, and better clients next year — this is where it starts.
Not by burning bridges, but by seeing clearly.
Collect the data now.
Your future self will thank you.

Alright, so now that you’re collecting data — let’s talk about how to actually use it.
I want to introduce you to a little system I swear every groomer needs tattooed on their forearm:
The Three-Strikes Rule.
This is my go-to for when you’re not sure if something is “worth firing someone over,” or if you’re just tired and overreacting.
It gives you structure.
It gives you emotional distance.
It gives you permission to stop second-guessing yourself.
Because if you’re anything like me — you’ve probably spent hours wondering:
“Am I being too sensitive?”
“Am I overreacting?”
“Maybe they didn’t mean it that way.”
Girl… no.
You’re not crazy — you’re just conditioned to tolerate chaos.
So here’s how this rule works.
________________

Strike One: Mistake.
They forgot to confirm their appointment.
They showed up late once.
Your new bather mixed up shampoo bottles.
It happens. People are human.
Life gets messy — traffic, sick kids, alarm didn’t go off, whatever.
The first strike is your grace period.
You give them the benefit of the doubt — but you still document it.
Because one strike doesn’t make someone a villain, but it does give you context later.
Think of it like dating — the first time someone forgets to text you back, you don’t end it, but you notice.
You file it away.
If it never happens again, great! They had a bad day.
But if it does… you’re ready for Strike Two.
________________

Strike Two: Pattern.
Now this is where most groomers get stuck.
You’ve addressed it once, maybe even twice.
You’ve reminded them. You’ve set expectations.
And then — they do it again.
At this point, it’s not a mistake anymore — it’s a behavior.
And behaviors are choices.
When someone keeps crossing your boundaries after you’ve communicated clearly, they’re not confused.
They’re testing you.
You see this all the time:
That client who no-shows twice and says, “Oh my gosh, I just forgot again, can you squeeze me in?”
Or that bather who “accidentally” clocks out early every Friday.
They know exactly what they’re doing.
They’re seeing if you mean what you say.
And listen — this is where your people-pleaser brain tries to negotiate.
“Well, they’re going through a lot…”
“It’s the holidays…”
“I don’t want to be mean.”
I get it.
But this is where your boundaries either build your business — or break it.
Because if you keep excusing behavior, you’re teaching them how to treat you.
And when you allow something twice, you’ve just turned it into an expectation.
________________

Strike Three: Choice.
By this point, they’ve had two opportunities to do better.
You’ve been clear, you’ve been kind, and you’ve given them the roadmap.
So if they do it again — that’s not an accident.
That’s a decision.
And when someone is actively choosing to disrespect your policies, your time, or your team —
That’s not a miscommunication.
That’s a mismatch.
You don’t need to explode.
You don’t need to have a meltdown.
You don’t even need to justify it.
You just need to make a note:
“This person has shown me who they are.”
And when someone shows you who they are — believe them.
________________

I can hear some of you already —
“But River, it’s Christmas! Everyone’s stressed! Don’t I owe them a little grace?”
Yeah, sure.
Grace once. Maybe even twice.
But if someone only acts like a decent human when life’s convenient for them?
That’s not a soulmate client.
That’s a seasonal one.
And you, my friend, are not building a business founded on people who can’t be relied upon.
________________

This Three-Strikes Rule isn’t about being harsh.
It’s about being methodical.
It’s a way to protect your peace and your profit without letting guilt run your business.
Because grooming is already hard enough.
You’ve got hair in your bra, your feet are killing you, and you’re trying to eat lunch over the dryer.
You don’t need the same people stealing your joy three times in a row.
________________

Here’s how to make this practical.
Create a simple list — literally, pen and paper, or your phone notes app.
Put three columns: Client/Employee Name, Strikes, Notes.
Each time someone crosses a boundary or creates unnecessary stress, jot it down.
For example:
* “Mrs. Brown — Late again, blamed traffic. Second reminder sent.”

* “Tom (Bather) — Forgot to sweep again after close. Talked to him Friday.”

* “Mrs. Lopez — Texted angrily about matting fee, refused to prebook.”

You’re not judging, you’re documenting.
This is your receipts file.
Because when January hits and you’re calmer, you can look at that list and make clear decisions:
Who’s improving?
Who’s still testing you?
Who’s gotta go?
That’s how you make data-driven decisions — not emotional ones.
________________

And when you do?
You’ll notice something magical happens:
You stop feeling guilty for holding boundaries,
and start feeling confident about who you give your time to.
Because you’re not just “firing a client.”
You’re curating your peace.
You’re creating a safer, saner work environment.
________________

Let me put it this way — every minute you spend re-explaining your rules to someone who doesn’t care is a minute stolen from the clients and staff who actually do care.
The Three-Strikes Rule helps you stop chasing the wrong people so you can start nurturing the right ones.
And if you’re worried about hurting feelings?
Remember — accountability isn’t cruelty.
It’s clarity.
You’re not punishing anyone.
You’re simply refusing to participate in patterns that burn you out.
________________

So, take a second and think about it.
Who in your business might already be sitting on Strike Two?
Who keeps “forgetting” or “not realizing” or “just assuming”?
This week, don’t react — record.
Because the more you track, the more empowered you’ll feel to make decisions based on truth instead of fatigue.

Alright, my friend — take a deep breath.
This season will test you, no doubt.
But remember: the chaos isn’t here to destroy you. It’s here to reveal you.
You’ve worked too hard to build a business that makes you miserable.
You deserve peace. You deserve profit. You deserve respect.
So this week, grab your client list.
Go through it with a highlighter — green, yellow, red.
Green for “soulmates.”
Yellow for “needs a boundary.”
Red for “it’s time to go.”
Start collecting your data now, because come January, you’re going to make moves — not excuses.
And when you do? You’ll be stepping into the next season of your business as the boss you were always meant to be.

Until next time, stay savvy, stay greedy —
and never apologize for wanting more. 💋

Enough Is Enough: Knowing When to Fire, Freeze, or Fix

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