The Haircut That Made My Eyes Water…

Here’s a story of what not to do in a relationship even though it might be hysterical. Recently, my wife came home from an appointment with her new hairdresser. Now before I go any further let me explain something. For several weeks there has been what I would describe as a full scale search operation in our household.

Her previous hairdresser retired. This apparently created a level of urgency that I can only compare to trying to find a missing coach during a football game. There were phone calls, recommendations, reviews, conversations with friends and what sounded like a small task force assembled to locate the right person.

Meanwhile I am over here living a very different haircut lifestyle. For me getting a haircut usually involves walking into my kitchen, sitting down and hoping my wife, who is holding the clippers, had at least one cup of coffee that morning. Yes, my very talented wife who is skilled in many things, cuts my hair! And what she charges is a bargain. 😉 If the chair spins and the scissors look sharp, we are probably good.

So, when my wife finally announced that she had found a new hairdresser, she was very excited. She explained how great this place was how wonderful the stylist seemed and how relieved she felt after searching for so long.

And then I made mistake number one. I asked the question, “What does a cut, style and highlight run?”

She told me.

Now I am not going to repeat the number here, but I will say it was significant enough to make my eyes water. And instead of doing the smart thing which would have been saying something supportive like, “that is wonderful honey. I am glad you found someone you like.” I decided to crack a joke. That was mistake number two.

I looked over at my desk and noticed a pair of office scissors and a yellow highlighter pen sitting there and I said something along the lines of, “You know I could probably do the same job for about a $1.85.”

Then I held up the scissors and said, “$1.00.”

And for the hair highlight. I held up the highlighter pen and said, “$0.85.”

For a brief moment she looked at me. Then came the slow eye roll. Followed by what I can only describe as the deep sigh. There was no laughter, no applause and no appreciation for my clearly brilliant comedy.

She simply walked out of the room.

And as I sat there holding office supplies like a man who had just made a very poor life decision, it occurred to me that maybe just maybe that joke had not landed the way I expected. In hindsight I probably should have just said she always looks fantastic and that I was glad she found someone she liked.

Lesson learned. Maybe. 🤪

So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!

What happened in that moment is something that shows up in business all the time. It was a difference in how value was being measured.

From my perspective I saw scissors, hair and a number that made my eyebrows climb halfway up my forehead. From her perspective that appointment represented something very different. It represented confidence self-care relief after a long search and the feeling of finally finding someone she trusted.

Two people looking at the exact same situation. Two completely different definitions of value.

And if you are building an online business this concept matters more than most people realize. Because many entrepreneurs evaluate their business based on how they personally feel about the price or the work involved.

But the market does not measure value based on how we feel. The market measures value based on the result it creates for someone else.

A haircut is not just scissors and time. A coaching program is not just videos and worksheets. A business tool is not just software and buttons. The value is found in the outcome the experience and the transformation that happens for the person receiving it.

When we understand that we start looking at our businesses very differently.

Here Are Five Ways Real Business Value Is Created

1. Solve a real problem – Value increases dramatically when your product or service solves a real and specific problem. People are not paying for features they are paying for relief, clarity, convenience or progress.
2. Create a better experience – Sometimes the difference between a low value service and a high value service is not the product itself but the experience around it. Professionalism ease communication and reliability all raise perceived value.
3. Deliver consistent results – People pay more when they trust the outcome. Consistency builds confidence and confidence builds value.
4. Save time or reduce frustration – Many businesses are successful simply because they remove complexity. If your product saves someone time effort or confusion its value goes up immediately.
5. Build trust and credibility – The longer someone operates with honesty, transparency and results the more valuable their work becomes. Reputation is one of the most powerful forms of value in any business.

Looking back on that haircut conversation the real lesson was not about hair, it was about perspective. I was looking at a number. My wife was looking at the outcome.

And the truth is business works the exact same way. When we build something that genuinely helps people, simplifies their lives or gives them confidence in what they are doing the value becomes obvious. Not because we said it was valuable, but because the people experiencing it can feel the difference.

This is also why education, community, and mentorship are so powerful when someone is building an online business. When people first begin, they often see courses tools or coaching programs as simply information.

But the real value is not the videos or the lessons. The real value is the guidance the support the shortcuts the clarity and the community that help someone move forward faster and avoid mistakes. That is one of the reasons I often talk about the Internet Profits Academy. It brings together training, coaching, community and the real experience mentorship environment that many people need when they are getting started or trying to grow. Instead of trying to figure everything out alone people can learn from those who have already walked the path. In many ways that environment removes confusion, reduces frustration and gives entrepreneurs a much clearer path forward.

So now I am curious. Have you ever looked at the price of something and thought there is no way that is worth it only to later realize the value was actually much bigger than you first understood? Drop a comment below and share your experience. I would love to hear your story.

And if you will excuse me, I am going to go compliment my wife’s haircut again. Because there is a very real possibility that if I bring up the cost of that appointment one more time she might decide to test out those office scissors on my upcoming haircut appointment with her. And judging by my current hair situation, I probably should not give her any ideas. Especially since the last time I mentioned it she looked at me and said, “You are not bringing up my haircut cost again are you?” Which I believe in marriage language translates roughly to, “Choose your next words very carefully mister!”

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” — Warren Buffett

 “Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” — Albert Einstein

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

I told my barber I wanted a haircut that would make me look younger. So she removed the mirror.

I knew I had a bad haircut when my kids asked if I lost a bet.

Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!

 

 

 

**If you are curious about building and maintaining a healthy online business, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter here and continue following my blog. My hope is not only to create the freedom I have long desired, but also to share what I am learning with others who are working toward the same dream.