Today we’d like to introduce you to E.J. Ybarbo.
E.J., we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In April 2015, shortly after finding out my wife, Joelle, and I were expecting our first child, we kept crossing paths with another hairstylist and product representative, Blake Brister. It was one of those moments that felt impossible to ignore—as if something greater was orchestrating the encounters. After running into each other four different times, we finally sat down to talk.
We started by sharing life stories, then naturally shifted to our careers. Blake shared that he had been praying for a husband-and-wife team to join him as he built a new salon. The moment he said those words, something inside me came alive. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt an overwhelming sense of peace that this was a door we were supposed to walk through.
The decision wasn’t easy. Joelle and I were already thriving at one of Dallas’ top salons. Ironically, just as we began considering a change, our careers took off even more, and clients started encouraging us to open our own salon. We felt torn. For the first time, instead of relying on our own plans, we prayed together for direction. The peace only grew stronger, and we took the leap to join Hair Revival Studio in Highland Park.
That decision became the beginning of our journey as business owners.
As we worked together, Blake and I developed a close friendship through daily walks, honest conversations, and shared faith. About three months later, after experiencing his generosity and leadership firsthand, he asked Joelle and me to become partners in growing Hair Revival. We officially became 50/50 business partners, but it never felt like a business arrangement—it felt like brotherhood. We trusted one another completely, prayed through decisions, and genuinely wanted the best for each other.
Together we dreamed big. We searched for a second location and faced countless setbacks—rejected letters of intent, financing challenges, and closed doors. Looking back, those “no’s” were often God’s protection.
Eventually we found a space in Dallas’ Design District. Even that wasn’t easy. We were initially turned away, and it wasn’t until we brought on a third partner that the landlord agreed to lease the building to us. After four months of construction—much of it completed by my dad, his business partner, and me—we were ready to open.
Then, just as our new location was finished, the City of Dallas rezoned the street where our original Highland Park salon was located. Bringing the building into compliance wasn’t financially possible, forcing us to close our first location. It was heartbreaking. At the same time we were celebrating a new beginning, we were grieving an ending.
Those moments shape you as an entrepreneur. They reveal whether you’ll quit when adversity comes or keep moving forward.
We chose to keep going.
The Design District salon became the busiest season of our careers. With 19 stations filled by talented, passionate stylists, Hair Revival grew into an incredible community that continues to thrive today.
After five years, Joelle and I welcomed two more children into our family. As our priorities shifted, we felt called to build a life rooted in community. We moved to Rockwall, Texas, where I had grown up fishing Lake Ray Hubbard and had always admired the town’s strong sense of connection and integrity.
Commuting to Dallas eventually made us realize it was time to build something of our own closer to home. That decision meant Blake and I would part ways professionally, but never personally. To this day, we remain close friends, and I’m incredibly grateful for the role he played in our journey.
That’s where Yoke Hair was born.
Our vision was to bridge two worlds—luxury women’s hair services and elevated men’s grooming—under one roof. The name “Yoke” comes from the biblical image of joining two things together to move with purpose. It also reflects Matthew 11:30, a passage about finding rest in Christ. More than creating a beautiful salon, we wanted to create a place where people could slow down, recharge, feel cared for, and leave feeling renewed.
Finding the right location in fast-growing Rockwall proved just as challenging as before. One day, while on our way to tour another property, Joelle pointed out a standalone house operating as a salon and said, “That would be the perfect spot.” There wasn’t a “For Sale” or “For Lease” sign anywhere, so we kept driving.
When we arrived at the property we were scheduled to tour, we met a local business owner who happened to mention that a salon space would soon become available—before it ever hit the market. It turned out to be the very same building Joelle had pointed out only minutes earlier.
It felt like another one of those moments you simply can’t explain.
My dad and I completely renovated the historic home, opening the floor plan while preserving its character, and Yoke Hair officially opened its doors.
Today, Yoke Hair is home to 13 talented artists—from experienced professionals to ambitious young stylists who are passionate about mastering their craft. Looking back, every closed door, every setback, and every unexpected opportunity helped shape the business we have today.
Our story has never been about simply opening salons. It’s been about building places where people feel connected—whether they’re sitting behind the chair or in it. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that some of life’s greatest opportunities begin with a simple conversation, a little faith, and the courage to take the next step.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, ours has been filled with setbacks that ultimately shaped who we are.
Early on, we walked away from the security of thriving careers at one of Dallas’ top salons to pursue a vision we believed God was calling us toward. It was exciting, but also terrifying, because there were no guarantees.
As we grew Hair Revival, we faced repeated rejection while searching for a second location. We had letters of intent denied, struggled to secure funding, and watched opportunity after opportunity fall through. Even after finally finding the right space in the Design District, we were initially turned away before eventually securing the building.
Just as we finished renovating that new location, we received devastating news: the City of Dallas had rezoned the street where our original salon was located. The cost of bringing the building into compliance was too great, forcing us to close our first salon while simultaneously opening our second. It was one of the hardest seasons of our business lives—celebrating a new beginning while grieving the loss of the place where it all started.
Years later, when Joelle and I decided to build Yoke Hair in Rockwall, we encountered many of the same challenges again. Finding the right location in a rapidly growing community seemed nearly impossible until an unexpected connection led us to the very building we had admired only hours earlier.
Looking back, we’ve learned that every closed door, delay, and disappointment was preparing us for something better. Those obstacles taught us resilience, strengthened our faith, and reminded us that perseverance often matters just as much as talent.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While we offer a wide range of services, we’re especially known for lived-in color, dimensional blonding, balayage, highlights, and creating effortlessly beautiful hair that grows out naturally. We also have artists who specialize in vivid fashion colors, extensions, precision cutting, men’s grooming, and customized color transformations. One of our greatest strengths is the diversity of talent within our team. Rather than every stylist offering the same thing, each artist has developed their own specialty, allowing us to serve a wide variety of guests while encouraging creativity and continued growth.
What makes us most proud isn’t just the work we create—it’s the culture we’ve built. We wanted Yoke Hair to be a place where artists are inspired, challenged, and supported in becoming the best version of themselves. We believe that when our team thrives, our guests feel it the moment they walk through the door.
What truly sets us apart is our heart behind everything we do. We intentionally created a space that feels welcoming, peaceful, and community-driven. We encourage our artists to embrace their individuality rather than fit into a mold, and that creative freedom shows in the work they produce. Every guest receives a personalized experience because every stylist brings their own unique perspective and expertise.
At the end of the day, we’re not just building great hair—we’re building confident people, meaningful relationships, and a creative community where both artists and guests can feel at home.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Pray, and be present. God has something good for all of us no matter where you come from!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Yokehair.com
- Instagram: Yokehair.tx
- Facebook: YOKEHAIR
- TikTok: @YokeHair
