Yesterday morning, I had an early meeting and needed a haircut before 8 a.m. My usual barber was unavailable, so I decided to try another salon.
Luckily, I found one. But as soon as I stepped in, I faced another problem—the barber was busy with two other clients. I stood there, frustrated, checking my time. I had an important meeting, and I needed to look sharp. I almost walked out to go for the meeting when something unexpected happened.
A young lady who worked there called my attention back. She wasn’t a barber, but she looked me straight in the eye and said, “I can help shave your beards while you wait for the barber to trim it properly.”
I paused. “Have you done it before?” I asked.
“No, but I will try,” she said with confidence.
At that moment, I saw something in her that many young people lack—the mindset of a problem solver, a wealth creator.
See, she wasn’t a barber. She could have ignored me. She could have let the business lose money. But instead, she saw an opportunity and had no fear of trying, no fear of failing. She just wanted to help, and that alone gave me confidence in her.
So, I sat down and let her shave my beards. She was almost done when the barber finally arrived and finished the job. And do you know what? I left that salon on time, feeling inspired.
This young lady reminded me of something we have been discussing—the difference between an employee mindset and an ownership mindset.
An employee thinks, It’s not my job.
An owner thinks, How can I make this work?
An employee waits to be told what to do.
An owner sees the need and fills it.
This lady wasn’t thinking like just another worker; she was thinking like a business owner. She saw the risk of losing a potential customer, and instead of standing aside, she took action.
That is the kind of mindset that creates wealth. That is the kind of mindset that builds leaders. That is the kind of mindset that changes lives.
Some of our young people need to wake up. Too many wait for opportunities instead of creating them.
They say, “I don’t have the experience,” instead of asking, “How can I learn?”
They say, “That’s not my job,” instead of thinking, “How can I create or add value?”
They say, “There’s no money,” instead of finding ways to solve problems and create wealth.
If you keep waiting for perfect conditions, you will never rise. If you only do what you are comfortable with, you will remain average.
The young lady in the salon challenged a male-dominated industry without fear. She wasn’t a trained barber, yet she dared to try. She wasn’t the boss, yet she behaved like one.
That’s why I bought her breakfast and took a picture with her—because people like her deserve to be celebrated.
Let us stop thinking like employees. Look at life differently. See problems as hidden opportunities. Be willing to learn, take risks, and push beyond your limits.
I am the Billionaire Mechanic. If this story touched you, drop a comment and appreciate this young lady.