Hair is said to be the ultimate form of self-expression and a vital element of personality. For those who identify outside traditional norms, haircuts can be a transformative choice that empowers them to embrace their true selves. Micki Yeates, the owner of The Barber Micki she brings a fresh perspective to the salon, as well as a mission that goes far beyond providing skillful haircuts.
The Barber Micki is a unique hair care experience, offering fades, short textured cuts, scissor cuts, and long shaggy looks. Most of all, Micki provides great cuts in a safe space where all people can feel comfortable, supported, and free to explore their unique, authentic selves.
“It doesn’t matter how you identify. You should be able to walk into a salon and get a haircut, free from judgment and true to your individuality. The Barber Micki is that space.”
A New ‘Do
Micki has worked in the hair industry for a decade. Born and raised in a conservative Mormon household in Utah, Micki’s passion for hair was inherited from their grandmother, a longtime hairstylist with 45 years of experience. Despite growing up surrounded by styling products and hair care equipment, as well as Micki’s personal experience with family haircuts, Micki says they never considered hair care as a profession.
“I was two years into college, and I absolutely hated it. My mom suggested that I try doing hair. I thought it sounded fun to cultivate a career where I can work with my hands and be on my feet. It also aligns with my learning style, so I dropped out of college and went to beauty school.”
Beauty school turned out to be a wonderful fit for Micki’s unique perspective and personality—but not a perfect fit. She built a skill set working with hair across the spectrum and discovered she had a natural talent. But the program was heavily focused on color and chemical services, and it wasn’t long before Micki realized their true passion lay in shorter haircuts.
“I figured out shorter haircuts were my jam. I loved being able to do a mixture of clipper work and scissor work. There are a lot of salons that want you to do everything, but I wanted to fine tune my skills, specialize in what I love to do, and give my clients a better experience.”
On the Fringe of a Change
After graduating, Micki was at a crossroads. They could return to hyper-conservative Utah and most likely find themselves pigeonholed into a traditional high-end women’s salon. Or Micki could make their mark where barriers could be broken, and existing norms could be challenged. Luckily, Micki’s aunt resided in Washington State, and offered them a place to stay. One day later, Micki packed their bags, transferred their license, and moved to what would become their permanent home with a welcoming, like-minded community.
A few months into working as a stylist at Sport Clips, Micki began to better understand their own identity. Coming from a hometown where such conversations were rare, Micki found a new sense of belonging after moving to South Seattle. This shift also introduced them to a broader range of clients who appreciated their specialized skills—particularly in short haircuts tailored to individual preferences and self-expression.
“I was able to surround myself with people I identified. I had no idea a different city with a different clientele would change my life and introduce me to my community. They helped me become more comfortable with myself and feel authentic. I finally found a home and sense of belonging which is what we all need.”
Cutting-Edge
Entrepreneurship wasn’t a natural choice for Micki, but leadership was. During their 7-year tenure at Sports Clips, Micki wore a multitude of hats, including store manager, marketing manager, and hair educator. In 2019, Micki expanded their operations, incorporating part-time work at Rudy’s Barbershop where she gained a following, including on social media.
Finally in 2022, Micki arrived at the destination of a decade-long journey. After years of working in salons and barbershops, Micki wanted to create a space of their own—one that catered to a wide range of hair needs. Understanding the importance of a welcoming and comfortable environment, they set out to build a barbershop where everyone felt at ease. As a skilled barber in Seattle, Micki recognized that by embracing their craft and fostering an open, accepting space, they could encourage others to feel confident in expressing themselves.
“I thought I would be content working for somebody else, but something switched, and I realized, this is my skillset, my craft, my people. Creating a business that uplifts and gives back to my community—it just made sense. So, I jumped right in.”
The Frizz of the Biz
Micki had a vision and a mission but wasn’t sure of the initial steps. She was able to rent out a booth with The Harlow Collective, a women-owned artist collective in Georgetown. Part hair salon, part tattoo parlor, the collective allows artists to work from their location as commission employees and eventually graduate into renting their own booth. In addition to the incredible mentorship and experience she has gained; the collective represents a major stepping stone towards a brick-and-mortar space for The Barber Micki.
“The collective is a ton of artistic minds working out of one space, and so we’re all influenced by each other in different ways. Even though we’re doing different 
styles of hair, tattoos, drawing, or make-up makeup. We’re all there to support each other artistically and authentically.”
With a booth rental under their belt, Micki knew the next step would be access to capital. As a new LLC, Micki wasn’t eligible for traditional loans, so she reached out to Business Impact NW. She had heard of the organization through word-of-mouth from several of Micki’s clients who found support from Business Impact NW and are now running successful businesses. She received one-on-one business coaching and financial guidance from the Washington Women’s Business Center and began initial steps towards applying for a loan.
“No one in my family has opened small businesses and beauty school didn’t teach us the process of getting financial support. I’m fortunate that I can just rent a booth, but now that I need my own space, I need extra support and that’s been my biggest barrier. I found you because one of my clients said, ‘they really helped me’ and I trust my community.”
Grow Your Roots Out
Micki has big dreams for their future storefront. They envision The Barber Micki as more than just a salon—a community-driven space where artists can showcase their work and authors can host book readings. A place that not only redefines the haircare industry but also fosters meaningful conversations about self-expression and individuality. In a world that continues to evolve, The Barber Micki stands as a symbol of progress, encouraging people to embrace who they are with confidence and pride.
“I want everybody that sits in my chair to leave feeling confident and inspired. They’re not just getting a great haircut that makes them feel good. They’re also feeling empowered by me and my goals and our conversations that we have. Just that friendship and community that we’ve been able to cultivate. I have clients from all over, even some in Alaska. I have so much pride for my community and all we’ve built.”
About the author
Janelle is a storyteller through and through. She was raised in a family of entrepreneurs who owned and managed a series of small businesses, including a Hawaiian restaurant, a video store, and several real estate properties. Growing up in a low-income community but attending schools as a minority in affluent areas, she struggled with the inequities she faced each day.
Janelle graduated with a degree in Creative Writing, specializing in screenwriting and playwriting. She has worked for a number of nonprofits and has remained steadfast in her commitment to using her craft to support the missions of each organization, and uplift underserved communities throughout the Bay Area.