How I Became Famous (It’s not what you think)

It was a revelation to me that relationships were the most important part of being a Cosmetologist and an Instructor.

This was a struggle for me. As a military child, I moved around quite a bit. You could say I grew up without any roots. Before the age of the Internet and social media, I would leave one place and just simply forget about everyone that I left behind. Arriving at a new place, I would make new friends, only to move again. But now, something needed to change.

In order for me to address the things I was struggling with, I needed to be intentional. So, I began reading many books on business, leadership, marriage, parenting and other similar topics. There was a huge need for some personal growth for me and for my family, as well as to address to some of these issues. I also wanted to know how to go about changing in a way that aligned with my faith.

What I discovered from reading and daily applying what I learned, was that these students wanted to know that they had the freedom to make decisions on their own, to be treated like an adult, to be respected for who they are, and to feel cared for. Many of them were searching for their independence and wanted to be encouraged instead of being forced into a mold. They did not want to be treated like a number or just another body filling a space.

It became a mission of mine to begin taking an interest in each student as an individual, to try and listen to what they were saying instead of always offering advice. I wanted actually to try and get to know them, their dreams, passions, and aspirations. I wanted all of them to know that I not only respected them, but that I actually cared about them.

The change that happened was almost immediate. Students began asking me for advice about things relating to school and career as well as about other life situations. They began to speak more openly. I noticed that even the more challenging students seemed to develop an open channel of communication with me. In the past they were many times a closed book.

Popularity and friendship with the students was not an objective. My only goal was to build a mutual level of respect. As a by-product, I found that not only were students more open to constructive criticism, but they would do things like clean up a classroom, or other small tasks, when asked. Resistance to these types of things seemed to disappear and students showed enthusiasm. I felt like they were actually glad to help.

There really haven’t been many students that have graduated in recent years that don’t look back fondly at their one year at our school. I even get a message or two a month from graduates, with a question, an update or just wanting to stay connected. It feels good to have made a positive impact and they will probably never know how much that has been reciprocated.

Back to being famous…

You can imagine the amount of people that have come through Capitol since I started in 1993: the students, their families, their friends and our clients. It has been my pleasure to interact with the thousands that have graced us with their presence. Through my position here at the school, I have gotten to meet so many wonderful people. As I make my way through the city to shop, to eat or to do anything else, I always seem to run into someone I know.

When my daughters were younger, seeing so many people recognize me always excited them. They didn’t quite know why it happened, but one day they said to me, “Dad, you’re famous.” When I heard this, it hit me like a ton of bricks: My initial desire to be famous was an immature and selfish goal.

This whole thing wasn’t really about me at all. It was about others and pouring into their lives. Investing in the people that were looking up to me for their education was the gift that I had been given.

Although I never ended up being a world famous stylist, commanding five hundred dollars a haircut, I built relationships and touched lives, which was priceless.

We as instructors may only have them in our life for one year, but the affect we can have on someone in that one year can be life changing.

For them and for us.

This post is part three of a series. If you missed part one click on the link below.

How A Hair Massacre Got Me Where I Am Today.