Back to black

In the not too distant past, lawyers in Nova Scotia were only permitted to wear black or brown shoes when they attended court - any other colour could have resulted in a tongue-lashing from the bench, which is never the way you want to start the day in court. While I don't know this for certain, I suspect that the rule was probably established sometime during the 60s or 70s when baby boomers started showing up for court in flashy coloured footwear, shocking the staid legal establishment into acting to try to maintain some degree of professional decorum.

I also suspect that this rule was finally tossed out as a result of lobbying by the ever-increasing number of female members of the bar. Because, while most women lawyers still tend to be relatively conservative in their choice of clothing (black, blue or grey suits continue to prevail), their footware is where they often make a personal statement - it is not unusual to see red shoes paired up with a grey suit walking through the halls of a downtown law firm.

The rationale for this shoe habit is that if they get called into court on short notice, the judge will be able to see what they are wearing on top - and it better be suitable, ie. conversative - but won't be able to see their feet, planted firmly under the counsel table. Even though the black or brown shoe rule may no longer be in place, it is not uncommon for a judge to frown down upon a lawyer who has taken too much liberty with the unwritten rule of conservative courtroom attire.

Needless to say, Kate and I both own a closet full of white blouses and black suits - when I left private practice to open my own legal research and writing business and started working from home, I swore I would never wear a black suit again.

In the spa industry, black clothing is also standard, but for entirely different reasons than in the law. Black in a spa is versatile, doesn't get stained from the products and makes the service team easily identifiable. What Kate and I have come to realize is that many spa industry professionals tend to use means other than their shoes to let their personalities shine through. We have met with - and in many cases hired - spa professionals with pink hair, plantinum blonde hair, shaved heads, nose rings, lip rings, eyebrow studs, tongue piercings (that one always distracts me) and a myriad of different and fascinating tattoos. The personalities definitely come through loud and clear and in most cases I didn't even notice their shoes because there was too much else to look at.

I'm getting used to the "body alterations" and I can appreciate the art in the tattoos. Tattoos and body piercings have become mainstream and  I suspect it's only a matter of time before this trend makes its way into the courtrooms in downtown Halifax, if it hasn't already. As it becomes more frequent, I can't wait to see whether the older legal generation - who were, by the way, the ones wearing the funky footwear in the 70s - decides it's time for new rules about professional appearance in court.

Decisions, decisions

In the legal world we all live for decisions - those lofty pronouncements from the bench that can make or break your day/week/year with a few short words - either "Case dismissed" or "I find for the plaintiff."

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my new job would rest heavily on decisions as well. Imagine my surprise then, when Kate and I found ourselves faced with dozens of decisions every day. The difference, however, is that rather than legal issues, these decisions involve every minute detail about our new business and in many cases they had to be made on the spot. We have dealt with decisions about staff, equipment, lighting, flooring, computer systems, cabinetry, ceiling heights and inventory, to name just a few. Oh and my favourite - toilets. Yup, toilets. Who knew that toilets came in different configurations with different functions? Well I certainly didn't until very recently. You may now assume that I am toilet expert.

The decisions are endless and for the most part Kate and I are managing to field the questions from contractors, suppliers and potential employees without any major catastrophes. Usually one of us will take control of whatever issue comes up and the other will simply say "I trust your judgment, you decide." So far we have tackled all of the questions and demands head-on, although I will confess that occasionally the decisions have been made by a quick eenie, meenie, minie, moe! We can only hope that we've chosen wisely, because unlike in our legal careers, there is no appeal process here. We will have to live with our decisions for a long time to come!

Putting the team together

Kate and I have gone through our fair share of interviews in our lives. Up to now we have always been the interviewee, sitting across from someone who had something we wanted. In other words, we were there hoping to make a good impression. At least we should have been, but it didn't always turn out that way. I will never forget my law school interview - I was sure I had blown it. Law school interviews tend to be adversarial, because they want to see how well you can argue a point under pressure. I had gone to-to-toe with one of the three panellists on several issues and in the process forgot to keep my poker face in place - anyone looking at me would have been left in no doubt that I thought the guy was a jerk. Obviously I was shocked when I got the call a few days later informing me that I had been given a spot.

Being on the other side of the table doing the interviewing is a very different perspective. We still needed to impress - we wanted the people we were vetting to love us and want to come work at Infusion! However, being in the position of asking the questions was an entirely different game and we had to remind ourselves that everyone reacts differently to facing prospective employers across a table. Most of the lovely people we interviewed rose to the challenge and really made fantastic impressions upon us. But the odd person was uncomfortable and nervous. Our hearts went out to them and we just wanted so badly to help them relax. What a difference from a law school interview where they try to throw you off and get you rattled! As a result of our many interviews, we have started to put together an incredible team and we can't wait to start working with these amazing ladies!


One unexpected thing I discovered during this process is that interviews for spa and salon employees have a huge advantage over any interviews I have ever gone through - as the owner you get to be pampered while you check out potential staff! When you are interviewed for a job at a law firm, you sit in a boardroom, on the opposite side of the table from any number of intimidating people, talking about legal principles and billable hours. How cool is it to go from that to lounging in a chair getting a pedicure while interviewing an esthetician? There I was, comfy in yoga pants with a Starbucks chai latte in my hand, getting my feet massaged and polished, while getting to know the amazing lady I was interviewing. It was perfect! I guarantee that professor at the law school never enjoyed an interview as much!