"One time, a woman told me that she hated the dress I made for her. She complained about the neckline and the fit around the waist. She was yelling at me and telling me that I made her look like a cow and how I sewed like a child. I was very offended, I'll be honest. I'd made more than 50 dresses at that point and nobody had ever spoken to me like that. I was very upset and wanted to tell her to get out of the shop.
Instead, I excused myself, pretending to have to take a phone call. I took a few deep breaths and talked to a colleague for a few moments. I told myself that this woman deserves my respect just like everyone else, that maybe there is something going on in her life that is causing this stress for her and that she didn't mean to take it out on me.
I went back out to see her and listened to her feedback very carefully. I made sure she felt heard and understood. I was still stressed, so at the end of the day I went out for a run, treated myself to some chocolate, and asked my husband for a shoulder rub."
