Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yahayra Yvette Barillas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yahayra Yvette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
My very first barbershop was Hair Culture America. At that shop my neighbor barber was Rita. She had this client named Nate and he had the most amazing head of hair. She was such a phenomenal barber that his haircut always came out so amazing and I always wanted to color his hair but his grandmother would never allow it. One day they came in and he tells me that his next appointment he’s going to color his hair blue. I quickly look at grandma, who was also there, and she looked at me and she said yes. It was very surprising to me because she was so adamant about not letting him color his hair. They filled me in on his health situation and stomach cancer diagnosis. We get emotional and assure ourselves that everything will be ok. So he comes back to me after his first few rounds of chemo and his hair is crystal clear. There’s not a speck of pigment. So there was no need to lighten the hair and i just placed the color. The color took beautifully. It came out to a pastel color and when it came time for payment, I told him the only thing I wanted him to pay me with was cancer free results. Weeks go by we’ve colored his hair at this point about three times. A pastel baby blue, pink and purple I believe. I remember the very last day he comes with his stepmom and we color his hair as usual.
At the end of everything he looks at me and he hand me my kill Bob shirt, he turns around and tells me I’ve paid you.
I said what do you mean and he says I just wanted to let you know that I paid you for your services, he was cancer free!!!
He was 14 years old at the time right now wanna say he’s closer to 22. He is a student at UF. He’s an amazing scholar and he still cancer free to this day.
Also, that same day, his stepmother, (while we were all crying and hugging and loving on each other)
she offered me a job doing Hair and Make Up at the Palm Beach Opera 🎭 and I went and was hired. I worked four amazing years alongside some very amazing and talented Make Up artists and hairdressers all for one act of kindness that to this day warms my heart and lets me know love goes a long way 💜
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi, my name is Yahayra. Most people call me Yari but My friends call me- well!? We won’t talk about what they call me lol 😝
I’m a funny, two time cancer surviving, mommy of two & grandma of one 👑
I am a licensed cosmetologist whose specialties are in Barbering and Braiding. I love giving back to the community & helping others see the value in not giving up and putting love in everything you do which is why I work for amazing companies like Buzz Box based out of Jersey City, New Jersey and A Different Shade of Love based out of West Palm Beach, Florida 💜
I think what sets me apart from others is my heart. I know they say nice guys finish last but i just can’t help it. I have a story like everyone in this world but my thought is if we all lead with love and understanding a lot can be done.
No one wants to be homeless, no one wants to not have a job. Kids have no fault for whatever their parent may be going through. So a free haircut here and a discounted set of braids there doesn’t bother me at all. To bless my friends while they are looking for work or taking care of my friends kids bc they need some help while they get back on their feet is a blessing for me bc the reward of seeing them thrive when they get right is beautiful 💜 I also feel my art speaks for itself and while they walk around looking amazing that brings me clients as well as event opportunities. My talents & health came from God so why not give my God given talents to help put a smile on someone’s face? Help them believe in themselves a little more? Uplift them spiritually so everytime they look in the mirror they see themselves in a brighter light.
I also love my autistic community. Those babies are the best. It’s a little tougher with them bc everyone is different of course but i take my time & the best part of it all- the reward of seeing a mom, at ease with knowing her child feels safe in my chair. I just did one of my good friend son’s hair and the joy in her face and amazement in the therapists face when he literally just sat there. Of course the intro and steps to that were maybe 15-20 mins but after i gained his trust he let me cut him and care for him the whole way without stopping 😍🥹
I have had the pleasure of meeting & working for amazing artists like Rae Sremmurd, French Montana, Lil Baby & Chris Brown. I even had the pleasure of going on tour with Moneybagg Yo in 2021. I’ve also worked with talented athletes like Greg Stroman, Jr. (New York Giants), Amani Hooker (Tennessee Titans), Raheem Mostert (Miami Dolphins) Mechole Hardman (Kansas City Chiefs) Isaiah Ford (Chicago Bears) Jazz Chisholm, Jr (New York Yankees) Tristian Makenzie (Cleveland Guardians) Akil Baddoo (Detroit Tigers) & a list of the most amazing baseball prospects you can imagine.
My brand, She fades and braids, is a representation of perspective and always leading with love. When i work i put love into it. Hair is what i love and it’s loved me just as much. The life i have been able to provide for my children & the experiences I’ve been able to have as well as give them have all been from how much of my love i have given to this industry & the love was reciprocated. So I am sure to care for my clients, new & old, as if they are my family bc without them i wouldn’t have made my dreams come true this far.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I was a mom at a very young age and now this year 2025 being my Jackie Robinson year (42- I’m a huge baseball fan sorry 🤭) I see what my mom and all the other elder women that I used to have trying to explain to me life and I didn’t wanna listen. Being a mom at such a young age can really do something to you. It can either make you or break you and i knew i couldn’t let it break me. I remember already having both my kids. I was on my way to hair school and unfortunately had a motor vehicle accident. Everything happened so fast I was dazed. Luckily the police officers were really nice and they dropped me off at school for my test when everything was said and done (even though I had minor injuries) when i got to the school my teacher Ms. Furbush (Ms. Ferby) quickly made sure i was good as well as good enough to take my test and after we spoke all i remember her saying is “your momma sure didn’t raise no punk” lol
She was very right 🤓🙃
I lived too far from the school to not have a car so I had to transfer schools. I was late from time to time because I was either walking or riding a bike. One day I got to school and I was about 30 to 45 minutes late. I go to the floor and I start prepping my station and a teacher comes behind me and says something along the lines of “you’re always late. Do you even really wanna be here? It doesn’t seem to me like this profession will fit you.” mind you she had no idea that I had no vehicle, was walking to drop my kids off to school, then I would walk from school to downtown West Palm Beach-which is a good 30-45 minute walk to get to work at the dental office that I used to work at to then make sure I leave the dental office walking on time so that I can go pick up my kids to then take them home & again we are on foot. Cook them dinner. Make sure my daughter was signed into the Wi-Fi of my friend who live downstairs so I can call her and keep communication with her and my friend would watch them while I walked to school, another 30 minute walk. School until 10pm and then walk another 30 minutes back home in the dark. Why walking you say!? The financials weren’t good, Uber and Lyft still didn’t exist and a taxi was out of the question. Bus routes you have to sit there and wait 30 mins each one and it would’ve made me late anyways so I just thought to walk (I did lose a heck of a lot of weight though lol 😝)
One part time income, cleaning offices and a Spa on my day off, walking everywhere even in the rain sometimes & as much support from those who could help as possible. Anyhow, this went on for 7 months but I walked across that stage and got my diploma. That teacher was very proud of me on graduation day & i was very proud of myself.
I had everyone telling me to stop. There was no money yet and the bills were coming and everyone kept telling me to quit and just get “a real job” but i wanted my career so i kept on and here i am.
I’m glad i didn’t give up on myself and the fact that i had no car. I fought through and took every path i could that could and would help the outcome. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I guess Ms. Ferby is right. I ain’t no punk 😝💪🏼
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Collaborations. I love meeting new people. You never know who you’re gonna meet as well as you don’t know what organizations they come from, The possibilities are endless. Meeting and collaborating with people is an amazing way to help showcase someone else’s talents, as well as yours because I believe that there is enough for all of us to succeed. There are so many communities that can be reached out to and helped that there’s no reason for competition when we can all succeeded together. I do Different events like sneaker conventions, dog shows, CrossFit competitions, volleyball tournaments- places that you would see braids, but you never think you would see someone braiding on site.
When asked to put a group together i have brought out some of my fellow barbers and braiders bc like I previously said i believe we can all eat.
Meeting new people is what has brought me opportunities like the artists previously named as well as all the new ones that still roll in to this day.
Working amazing events such as musical festivals and university rivalry games, etc.
It’s all about love. It really goes a long way. Showing love built my reputation 💜
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yahayra-barillas.square.site
- Instagram: @shefadesandbraids
Image Credits
My iPhone