Yvey Valcin on Transforming Lives of Clients Beyond the Salon Chair
Jordan Somers
Yvey Valcin, the owner of Yvey Salon, was recently welcomed by Trae Holiday on The Day with Trae. Valcin brought more than just hairstyling expertise to the show—he explained how he fosters deep connections and creates a haven for clients from all backgrounds. With three years of experience volunteering with cancer patients through the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, he believes that one journey can transcend the chair, one heartfelt conversation at a time.
“I was born on this beautiful island called Haiti,” Valcin said. “At a very young age, I assisted my sister in doing hair, and I fell in love with that. In Haiti, I would say that being a hairstylist, especially male, is not the most popular thing. I guess what I loved about it was just the way that my sister was received by the people in the community.”
Valcin could see how people’s lives could be transformed through their hair, and through the conversations had while styling it.
“It doesn't matter where I go, or where I'm where I am,” Valcin said. “I will find a way to do a haircut for a friend of mine. I'm very blessed to say that that's what I'm doing today because that passion developed into something bigger than I could imagine.”
Valcin explained that he wanted to open a salon that embraces diversity. They aim to provide a space where individuals from different walks of life feel comfortable and valued. Yvey Salon strives to be a place where everyone feels respected and appreciated, regardless of their background or identity. This approach not only enriches the salon experience but also fosters a sense of community and belonging for both clients and staff alike.
“We’re providing exclusive services to an inclusive audience,” Valcin said.
Yvey Salon is a space that specializes in haircuts for both men and women, specializes in hair coloring treatments, and addresses the complexity of different hair textures.
“I wanted to create a space that will be open to people, you know because in my experience in the industry, I've realized beauty is in everybody,” Valcin said. “But depending on where you're working, you may not have the opportunity to say, I'm gonna go to this salon.”
The services offered at Yvey Salon are a fairly comprehensive range of professional hair services designed to cater to diverse client needs. Valcin prides the salon on its ability to deliver high-quality results. With a focus on men's grooming, including precision haircuts and beard trims, Valcin ensures every client receives tailored service to suit their individual preferences.
The salon provides styling services such as flat ironing for sleek, polished looks, and holds a commitment to addressing the complexity of different hair textures, offering solutions and consultations for clients experiencing hair-related challenges.
“Dealing with something so personal is where you got to be able to create an environment where the person can feel heard, or understood, you know, and then listen to, you know, and, and that's where you can build a relationship, you know, there is an aspect of knowing what you're doing,” Valcin said. “You got to create that environment where they can feel hurt, you know, and, and for my clients, and I feel like, that's the biggest, that's the greatest thing.”
Valcin prioritizes creating a welcoming space in his salon, where every client feels heard and valued. He discussed how he recognizes the responsibility to provide not just a service, but a supportive environment for all who walk through the door.
“We only went to school for hair,” Valcin said. “We were not classified as a therapist, but we deal with people at that level. That's one thing that you know about me, in my industry, that I want people to know that being able to do their hair is the least you do. There are different aspects to it, because again, it's a safe place.”
In the salon, Valcin wants to make his clients feel comfortable enough to share what's going on in their family and friendships so that they can parse through the emotional baggage together
To find out more about Valcin and Yvey Salon visit yvey.com or follow on Instagram @yveythestylist.
To hear more about inspiring local businesses, tune in to Trae every weekday at 11 am on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
