Last weekend, I went to Harish, my favourite hairstylist. I have followed him from salon to salon, till he opened his own salon 4 years ago. I just don’t get my hair cut anywhere else – and all who read this will understand that if you are lucky to find a great hair stylist, you will do the same; because, he makes you feel beautiful or handsome as the case maybe. That is the magic of a good cut.
Harish had a new look – a head full of bronze and blond, tight curls. I started teasing him, when he said, with an embarrassed laugh, ‘I have to lose this maam, as my folks are looking for a girl to get me married’
‘Arranged marriage Harish, why would you do that? Haven’t you fallen in love? Who wants an arranged marriage in this day and age?’ His response stunned me, and humbled me.
He said ‘that will mean I need to invest time in building a relationship, time that I want to invest in my business. This is not the time for distractions. I want to ensure I am there for each and every client who comes because they come for me. I even avoid movie hair styling assignments if they clash with my salon timings. My salon is just 4 years old, if I don’t invest all my energies in my business now, and be there for every customer, how can I grow it?’
In one conversation, he summarized to me lessons for a successful entrepreneur. That one needs fire in the belly and the hunger to succeed; clarity of vision and focus on what is important; strength of purpose to avoid distractions; a willingness to forgo glamorous assignments to stay focused on the core business and critical customer segment; and relentless customer focus, knowing what creates customer value, and doing all it takes to consistently deliver it, even if it means not getting to enjoy some of your favourite things. After all, the business was built on his personal brand – the great haircuts HE gave.
While all of us read and listen and watch videos of start-up gurus and try hard to emulate them – highly visible people who created and sold successful businesses, made billions and sailed off into the sunset, we are blind to the Harish’s who can teach us what these gurus can teach – and more. I believe they are deeper lessons too – as they are keen to nurture and sustain and hold onto the business they have created.
In Mahabharata Lord Krishna is the charioteer of the great warrior Arjuna. But he is the one who is the master, the teacher, teaching Arjuna nuances of warfare, and nuances of life.
At that moment, Harish reminded me that if I look around hard enough, there are krishnas like him, teachers from who I can learn professional and personal lessons, life lessons. Those of you reading this blog, do share your ‘Krishna’ stories with me.
And to you Harish – Thank you, for making me feel beautiful, and for the life lessons!
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