By Janette Turner

According to stylist Jessee Skittrall, the phrase “no problem” in place of “thank you” should be banned from the vocabulary of service professionals.  “All those skills have been lost,” said Skittrall, who wants to bring the lost arts of ”comportment, verbiage, and personality styles” to regional YWCA clients via a 48 Hour Finishing School on May 20 and June 17.

All women who qualify for the YWCA program are eligible to attend the charm school, but Skittrall also has a target demographic: foster girls, ages 17-24, who are aging out of the system. “I had a young lady who interviewed for the front desk,” said Skittrall, when talking about the program’s inspiration. “She was a single mom, aged out of the system at 18, and she was 20 at the time and wanted the job because she could not go to cosmetology school. Her verbiage, comportment and look were off, but her will, want and desire were there. She really wanted it.” While the job didn’t work out for the single mom, her passion set Skittrall seeking a way to help candidates in similar circumstances.

The first day of Skittrall’s charm program will offer interviewing skills and a shopping spree at the YWCA Snohomish Working Wardrobe. The second day is the beauty makeover at Skittrall’s salon, Absolut Hair in Everett, where candidates will have access to the “full range of services at no cost.” On June 17, the women will be styled in their new wardrobe and be part of a photo shoot, “so they can see themselves with a different set of eyes.” For more information, or to RSVP, email Absolut Hair or call 425-438-8737.

Skittrall says his goal is to “make a difference.” And he will, no problem. Scratch that, I mean “thank you.”