They Had the Skills—But I Didn’t Want to Choose Them

The other day, I went to see a dentist.
The purpose was to consult about getting my teeth straightened.

As we age, we tend to clench our teeth more without realizing it.
This can cause subtle shifts in alignment over time—
It’s not something that was terribly noticeable, but as someone who works in a client-facing role, I started to think maybe I should take better care of my appearance.

Just like a hairstyle, our smile and teeth make a big impression in service industries.
So I decided to go for a consultation at a dental clinic that specializes in orthodontics.

Even with great skills, I didn’t feel like trusting them

The clinic I went to was led by a dentist who also teaches at a university.
They had an impressive resume, solid skills and a wealth of knowledge.

But—to be honest, I decided not to go ahead with the treatment there.

For one reason:
“The technical explanation was detailed, but I felt like they didn’t really see or consider my situation or feelings.”

They didn’t try to understand what I was concerned about, or why I had come in at this moment in my life.
There was no sense of them trying to grasp the context behind my concerns.

All I got were lines like “Here’s what we can do” and “This is the process.”
Just a rundown of steps.

What I wanted to hear was how my dental alignment might affect my job,
or what kind of impression I might leave on clients.

But the dentist said, “Why don’t you ask your clients that?”
—It felt like I was being brushed off.

The same thing can happen in salons

This experience made me realize something:
The same thing can definitely happen in salons too.

• Nice equipment
• High-end products
• Great technique

But those things alone don’t move people’s hearts.
What matters even more is—

“Do they really see and care about your feelings and background?”

What tools they use, what techniques they offer—
none of that matters more than whether they’re paying attention to you as a person.

Even in highly skilled professions, it always comes back to people.
It’s not just about what they do—it’s about who does it.

These days, you can get decent service almost anywhere.
Which is why, more than ever, “who you choose to work with” makes all the difference.

What I always try to value

I’ve worked with over 10,000 clients from all over the world.
I try to listen carefully—not just to their hair concerns and style requests, but also to their work, lifestyle, and personal rhythms.
I always aim to find a style that fits just right for that individual person.

Skills and tools are just a means to an end.
What really matters is how that person’s everyday life will change afterward.

That’s why this dental experience was actually a great learning opportunity.
I’m truly grateful to the dentist I visited. Thank you very much.

“The most important things in life are often so simple that we overlook them.”

I want to make sure I carry this into my own work, too.