OFCI Report Editorial: The Lazy Black Man....

I always get excited when  I have found inspiration to write a blog after I have come from the barbershop. One thing about the barbershop is that you will find inspiration there whether you're looking for it or not. And today I can say that I was looking for and found it. For the past I would say 4 years or so I have been opening and closing the barbershop, and without fail with accurate consistency the same things have been happening. 1). The same Barber is the only one on time every morning and 2). those guys will complain that they are not making any money. Now you may be asking yourself what does that have to do what a lazy black man, well hold tight and continue reading and I will tell you. I am a student of entrepreneurialship and I believe that if you put in hard work and time in your craft it will pay off in the long run. Now that being said, I am also not a barber, but I have been in customer service almost all my life so I can pretty much tell you how to keep them coming back besides having them being impressed with just your cutting skills. These guys are pretty decent barbers, but the one thing they lack that they do not seem to get is what is holding them back from getting a decent customer flow is their work ethic. When you are in a business where you are serving thee public, the one rule that governs your whole business is "Time is of the Essence". I know you open at 9 am and I also know that I don't have to be to work until 10 am. Now if I am at your shop when the doors open and it takes about 35 to 40 minutes for me to get a cut, and about 15 minutes for me to get to work, why is it that I am on time and you are not there until 3 or 4 hours later. How about, I call you to see what time I can come in to get a cut and you don't answer your phone all day. You say you need money, but when it comes time for you to be there or answer the call to make the money you are no where to be found. How long do you expect for folks to put up with this foolishness until they decide to go somewhere else where they are on time and professional. I've experienced that at least once or twice in the past. But with these guys, they take the cake.

Now lets fast forward to today. Again one of the barbers was talking about making money. So I mentioned to him that he should lower his prices a little and be to work on time. Right after saying this he came up with almost a thousand excuses on why he couldn't do either. But you say you need money. Time and time again when special holidays roll around, or when graduation and prom come up I suggest to them about putting on specials for the kids. That seems to go in one ear and right out the other, but they say they want and need money. Now to the lazy black man. It's to often that I talk to other young brothers about how they want to better their lives and how they want more that when I suggest to them roads and avenues to take to get what they want they seem to just want to "take the easy way out"  Become a rapper, sell drugs, or for some, be a pimp. None of them want to put in hard work any more. Hard work to them if like a fat man trying to lose 200lbs in 2 days. It ain't happening.... Some of them would soon cut of their arms and legs then put in an honest days works. Now before you go criticize and say not all black men or like that. Notice I didn't say all black men, just the ones I tend to talk to on a daily basis.  An I know nothing is wrong with being a rapper, but it that all their is to our young black brothas, saying rhymes or running a ball. There is so much potential inside of our Young Black Males that is being untapped, but because we see dollars instead of destiny many of our so-called friends and family members only encourage you in doing what is best for them and not what is best for you. An in the end you wind up wondering what if while they are out spending your hard earned cash. So you need to follow what is in your heart and if you need solid advice on the road you may want to take then I advise you to talk to someone who has nothing to gain from your success but knowing that they gave you good advice and that is why you are where you are today. But time and time again with our young Black Brothas they just want the easy way out. What upsets me the most is when you hear brothas talk about trying to find a job and you cannot get hired. Well here is a tip, Don't show up to to fill out an application 3 o'clock in the evening when the notice says they are taken between 9 am and 1 pm. Don't show up wearing hood gear, dress for success. And lastly Learn how to speak proper English, you are looking for a job working with professionals, not auditioning for Yo! MTV Raps....get it together. But my gripe is, as I talked to this barber, again it irked me that he came up with all these excuses on why he couldn't get to work on time, and his other mess. Now true I understand that these guys have personal lives and things need to be taken care of, but at the same time when the bulk of your problems is financial then you need to be at the front and center of the line when it come to you making the money that you need to solve that problem, not making excuses on why you can't. Brothas look, if you want to be on top of the world then you have to actually go to the mountain and climb it. There are no elevators there to take you to the top, you actually have to do some work to get there. Don't hate on the next man cause he got his success by actally working for it while you still in the mailroom sorting his mail and bringing it to him. Initiative is the key to your success, actually getting up and doing something about your situation. But, until you do that, Society will always view you as what they think you are, A Lazy Black Man....