Dominus, Day 2: A Deeper Look
The alarm rings at 5:00 AM, cutting through the early morning quiet. Dominus has already been awake for a few minutes before it even sounds, his body naturally waking up with the sunrise. He's a disciplined man—his day starts with a 10-minute stretch to wake up his muscles and set the tone. Every morning, he reflects briefly on his spiritual life, thanking God for another day, acknowledging his weaknesses, and seeking strength to face them. His gym session is non-negotiable, even if he's tired. It's not just about the physical; it's about discipline. After a fast-paced 45-minute workout, he grabs a protein shake, lets the sweat dry, and gets dressed—no time to waste.
By 7:00 AM, he's ready to head out. Pops, his mentor and second father figure, is already in the car, sipping coffee and talking about life. Pops is a quiet man, but his wisdom flows through every conversation. Today, they talk about the challenges of staying grounded while pursuing success, navigating business with integrity, and maintaining the balance between family life and ambition. Dominus listens, occasionally offering insights, but mostly just absorbing the lessons that Pops passes down like treasures.
By 8:50 AM, they roll into the barbershop parking lot. Dominus takes a moment before stepping inside, taking a deep breath to center himself. The shop is his stage, and today, he's ready to give the world another performance. Inside, the air smells of fresh coffee, hair products, and cologne. The sound of clippers buzzing, soft chatter, and the occasional burst of laughter fills the space. He exchanges smiles with a few regulars who are already waiting.
His first client is a young man in his mid-20s—slightly nervous, asking for a fade with a design on the side. As he starts cutting, he begins to talk to the young man about life. Dominus doesn't just cut hair; he sees his clients as people with stories. He listens, asking questions that encourage openness, offering advice not just about hair but life—encouraging him to be better, stronger, and more disciplined in his personal goals. He makes it clear that mistakes are part of the journey, but the important thing is to learn and keep moving forward.
By mid-morning, the shop is busy. Dominus moves between clients with ease, joking, laughing, and even having serious talks about faith, relationships, and ambition. He's not just a barber; he's a mentor, an advisor, a friend. The older clients—the fathers and grandfathers—appreciate his ability to blend humor with wisdom. His unique perspective on life always offers something fresh, while his understanding of struggle and failure makes him approachable.
At lunch, Pops swings by the shop for a quick coffee break. They sit in the back, discussing business and future plans. Pops shares stories of the early days of his barbershop empire, talking about how he built it with God at the center. Dominus admires Pops' work ethic, his deep faith, and the way he treats his employees like family. This conversation sparks new ideas in Dominus' mind about expanding his influence, possibly owning a shop one day, and building a legacy.
The afternoon flows smoothly, but by 4:30 PM, Dominus senses the energy in the shop changing. The younger clients are coming in, ready to talk about their weekend plans or share the latest gossip. He knows how to switch gears, injecting humor and light-hearted banter into the conversation. As he finishes the last cut of the day, a young man asks for advice on dating. Dominus gives him a thoughtful response—balancing humor with a serious tone. "Respect her, but never lose yourself in the process," he says. "Lead with integrity, and everything else will fall into place."
At 6:00 PM, the shop closes, and Dominus heads out to meet his girlfriend. They go to a local restaurant for dinner, where they laugh over casual conversation and share stories about their days. She loves how Dominus can switch from serious, wise leader to easygoing, fun-loving partner without skipping a beat. It's clear that their relationship is based on trust, mutual respect, and shared values.
After dinner, Dominus spends a few quiet moments reflecting on the day. He talks to God, giving thanks for the opportunities, the conversations, and the growth he's experienced. He acknowledges his weaknesses, praying for strength to keep fighting against temptation and to stay on the path of righteousness. Before bed, he reads a few chapters from the Bible, grounding himself in faith before going to sleep, ready to do it all again the next day.
This is Dominus—a man who is always striving to be better, to help others become better, and to live a life that reflects his values both in and out of the barbershop.