As many of you may know (or not), it has always been my dream to own a salon/spa. Upscale, top notch, can't wait to go to type spot. Well today I had the privilege(?) of patronizing something that looked exactly like what I had envisioned (there were a few things that I found to be overkill, but the concepts were there). I couldn't wait to 'experience' this place that looked so good.
Let me back up, for a living, I design interfaces (lately more so interaction and not design, but both focused on how the user functions and what it takes to make their experience pleasurable-and without unnecessary kinks). With that said, I also know that most people are visual people, so it has to be pleasurable on the eye first, but it is a known fact that looks will only get you in the door. That rule applies not only for software, but businesses, products, persons, relationships, etc. After the initial glance that either gets you the oooh or ugghh, you have to produce. You must keep that glancer, staring, interacting, using and more importantly, happy and stress free :)
Back to today...This establishment was by all means top notch in terms of first impressions, hence, it got me in the door. Yet after staying a little while, I started noticing several kinks, so many to the point that although this 'looked' like something I wanted to experience, it really was not. As I sat there, I reflected on what 'sold' me without investigation and how long it took for the lipstick to wear off of the pig. Which brings me back to my point, pretty will get you in the door, but you damn well better have something to back it up.
I have been having a lot of conflicts with that lately professionally and personally. I too am visual, but I know that visual does not establish substance and no matter how much selling the visual does, the substance is going to be what makes or breaks it. Do I hear some thing cracking? Yes, but let me get back to my story :) I have been to plenty-a-many salons that almost looked too scary to walk in, but they were the best salons I have ever visited, customer service top notch. I have been to 'feel good/look good' salons/spas that didn't make me feel or look good at all, if anything I left frowning and ready to punch someone out for wasting 4-5 hours of my freaking day. I guess my passion for substance will pay off somewhere. Until then, I wish all the artists using dry erase markers luck :)
