Leen aka “Leen-B” has been my barber since 2016. Through the years he is the only person who has cut my hair. When we first met he told me he had a goal after learning that I was single. “Sudesh I want to be in this business long enough to give you a free haircut on your wedding day”
One thing I have learnt from Leen-B is: Persistent action follows commitment — that is, you first must be committed to something before you’ll persist to achieve it. Once you’ve made a commitment to achieve your goal, then you’ll follow through with relentless determination and action until you attain the desired result.
The year is 2016, I have just moved to Kiwatule- a suburb in Kampala. I am looking for a great barber. I have extremely high standards for my hair cuts. Actually back in the day I drew out a sketch of my haircut but going to a salon. When I see Leen-B, he looks at my sketches and assures me how he is my guy when it comes to hair. I take a chance on him and he delivers better than anyone I had in the past one year.
From then the relationship starts. Over the years my trust grows and I learn to trust him entirely with my hair- no sketches. “Do what you deem suitable” becomes the opening line of our conversations.
During COVID lockdown in 2020, Leen-B would ride a bicycle, coke or my apartment to give am a haircut every two weeks at high discounts. It was then that he told me about his dream of owning his salon. Being a business Coach I encouraged him to go for it but we didn’t talk much about it.
He has moved to about ten salons over the eight years and so did I move just to show my loyalty.
My wedding to Ritah Sudesh was on 26th March 2022 and Leen- B achieved his dream of giving me a haircut.
In August 2023 going through lots of adversity, Leen-B opened his salon located in Kiwatule. I was the first customer and today I celebrate him because he made the leap from employee to employer.
It all started with a dream and beliefs.
One more thing just before I go: “ Your beliefs brought you to where you are today, and your thinking from this point forward will talk you to where you’ll be in the future”
PS: Over the years I have shared with Leen-B some principles about adding value to oneself that helped him make the leap. Join me on 24th October 2023 and discover the golden nuggets
