Every farrier goes through this or they just quit.
I remember not that long ago Mark, himself, he said Why, What did i do wrong and was eating himself up over loosing a customer.
Mark chose to toughen up and realize that many horse owners haven't a clue, or the price makes their decision, or they have more horses than their budget can afford so they let the horse move to the back seat during the winter and the list goes on.
IT ISN'T PERSONAL... It business.
Take this situation and prepare for next winter. Use that slow time to take a vacation or do something you want to do but couldn't during the summer and busy season.
Work hard during the summer so you are financially able to ride the winter out.
Even after you are well estab lished there is usually a month when business slows down. You will be able to plan on it and use that time to relax and do something you want to do.
IT WILL NEVER CHANGE for new farriers and when you are in the business many years you will set here and read many new farriers saying just what your saying now. and you will be giving them the same advice we are giving right now.
In 3 years you will have filtereds out the customers you don't want and the unreliable ones and you will be busy year round because of this elimination.
IT TAKES 3 or more years to build a steady year round business.
It also takes that long to loose the panic feeling in your gut that comes when a client calls and cancels.
Like Mark, when a client cancels for a lax reason if and when they call back JACK UP YOU PRICE.
Another option is to tell them that when a space opens up due to cancelation it is usually filled pretty quickly with a new customer and this will be my price if and when you call back.
GET an ATTITUDE You spent money to go to school at Heartland. You learned from one of the leading farrier Families in the world today.
YOU GRADUATED.. Are you as good as you think you are or are you only as good as YOUR CUSTOMER THINKS YOU ARE ???
One last point... Chris and Kelly and Cody taught you other things like being a business person. This is when this comes into effect.
Plan a sensible budget and pay your bills and other expences.
If you think your going to average $1,500. a week then budget for $800.00 and allow yourself this cusion incase you have a slow week or something happens.
Plan ahead and manage your money so you have an established cusion for unforseen emergencies. And clients canceling is an unforseen emergencie.
Patience, all comes to those who wait.
Believe in yourself, cause if you don't why should anyone else.
Always give your best and have the knowledge to know why your doing what your doing.
Painters suffer, and singers wait tables, and horse shoers are no different..... You have to work and pay your dues and be patient for the reward....
My 2 cents worth