For months now, Michael has been trying to be supportive of Curtis’s dream of becoming a hairstylist. He’s listened to endless stories about Curtis’s new “clients,” the techniques he’s trying out, and the various haircare products he’s been buying. But, at this point, Michael’s patience has worn thin. It’s not that he doesn’t understand ambition or the desire to pursue a passion—he does—but Curtis’s constant talk about his “future salon empire” has started to wear on him.
Michael has always been the kind of person who values practicality. He’s worked hard to build his career, and the idea of Curtis jumping into something so unpredictable, without a clear plan or the necessary skills, just doesn’t sit right with him. To be fair, Curtis’s hairstylist aspirations aren’t exactly grounded in reality. He’s been watching a few YouTube tutorials, experimenting with friends’ haircuts, and, to Michael’s surprise, has even set up an Instagram account to showcase his “work.”
But Michael can’t help but wonder if Curtis is taking things too far. His enthusiasm feels more like a hobby than a genuine career pursuit, and Michael’s been trying to figure out how to get through to him. Every time Curtis brings up his dream of opening a salon, Michael can’t help but shake his head in disbelief. “It’s not as easy as it looks,” Michael would say, half-exasperated. “You need real training, clients, and a solid business plan. Just cutting hair on the side isn’t enough.”
It’s not that Michael doesn’t want Curtis to chase his dreams—it’s just that he feels like Curtis is throwing himself into a world that requires a lot more than Instagram posts and enthusiasm. The hairstylist world isn’t all glitz and glamour, and Michael knows that. For Curtis, though, it feels like he’s only seeing the fun part of the industry, not the countless hours of practice, long apprenticeships, and sometimes grueling work behind the scenes.
One day, after another long chat about Curtis’s salon vision, Michael finally reached his breaking point. “Curtis, I’m done. If you’re serious about this, show me a plan. Show me something other than your endless hair pics and daydreaming about fancy salons.” It wasn’t that Michael didn’t care—it’s just that he wanted to see Curtis take his aspirations seriously and stop living in the world of make-believe.
Ultimately, though, maybe this tough love will be the wake-up call Curtis needs. After all, chasing your dream isn’t always about fantasy—it’s about dedication, sacrifice, and learning what it truly takes to succeed. And if Curtis really is serious about becoming a hairstylist, Michael hopes he’ll rise to the challenge, put in the hard work, and prove him wrong.
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