Is Her Dad About To Do Something Unethical By Going For His Dreams?

If her dad leaves his company to start his own business, he’s gonna be competing DIRECTLY with his former company…as in LITERALLY ACROSS THE STREET.

Is it ethical? Does he owe his old company anything…or does he owe it to himself to grab ahold of bigger and better things?

Here’s what our listener wrote:

Hi Bert Show,
My dad is having a moral dilemma that I need some advice on. I wish to remain anonymous. My dad has been working at this hair salon for many years. He’s worked from 9am-9pm six days a week. He had recently gotten an opportunity to own a hair salon for a very decent price, which would allow him to become an owner of his own hair salon.

The dilemma is that the salon is right across the street from where he works now, which would make him the competition. If he chooses to buy the store, it is very possible customers will follow him. My dad is struggling with the choice to go for it and get the chance to own his very own store or just continue working for someone else and not getting to reap the full benefits of being an owner.

Some context. The people at my dad’s current workplace have been very nice to him. They have great trust in my dad, and my dad manages many things at their hair salon. This move would anger them for sure, but I feel like the income that this could generate would greatly help our family in the future. What would you do and what do you think I should advise my dad to do?

I feel like my dad has worked very long hours for many years and helped them earn a lot of money, and I feel like he has paid his dues to them. My dad is around 50, and I think this kind of opportunity will never come again.
While I feel like they will be angry, I feel like he needs to act in the best interest of his family as well.

Please advise!