Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikey Denton.
Hi Mikey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Honestly, I fell into the hair industry by accident. I didn’t grow up cutting hair or have any background in it — it just looked fun and creative, and I figured it’d be a cool way to make money doing something different. Once I got into it, I realized how deep it really goes — the technical side, the psychology, the people. It hooked me.
I opened a business , learned the hard way what it takes to run a business, went through some major ups and downs, and eventually had to start over. Now I’m in Nashville, still behind the chair, teaching, and building education that’s actually real — no influencer BS, just stuff that helps stylists make better decisions and more money. Everything I do now comes from experience — good, bad, and everything in between.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road. I opened a salon early in my career, and while it started off great, life hit hard. Between bad timing, some wrong decisions, and a few really terrible circumstances, I ended up having to close the shop and go through business bankruptcy. That was a brutal experience — humbling, stressful, all of it.
But I learned more from those failures than I ever did from the wins. Not just about business, but about people, teaching, and leading. It forced me to slow down, look at what really mattered, and rebuild from the ground up. Now, everything I do — whether it’s cutting hair, educating, or helping others — comes from that place of experience. I’ve failed a lot, but that’s exactly why I’ve gotten better.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
These days I work behind the chair as an employee, and honestly, I like it that way. Having owned a salon before, I really empathize with the people running the business — I know what it takes to keep things moving, even the stuff the staff never see or understand. So I try to show up in a way that makes their lives easier.
Behind the chair, my thing is communication. I actually take the time to break down what I’m doing and why it matters for each client. A lot of people tell me no one’s ever explained their haircut to them like that — why it works for their face, their lifestyle, or their hair type. That’s the part I love.
And when it comes to education, I’m not trying to be an influencer or push out recycled “tips and tricks.” I just share what’s actually worked for me — real, practical stuff that helps stylists understand why they’re doing what they’re doing, not just how. That’s what sets me apart. It’s not flashy — it’s just real.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’m constantly asking questions and reaching out to people — in person, online, wherever. You’d be surprised how many people will actually respond and share something valuable. Sometimes they’ll want you to pay for the info, and sometimes they just don’t reply at all, which honestly isn’t a big deal. I just keep it moving.
The thing that’s helped me most is staying in a “year one” mindset. I try to act like I’m always brand new to this — open to learning, curious, not afraid to look dumb. The second you think you know it all, you stop growing. Keeping that beginner mindset has opened more doors for me than any networking event ever could.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mikeydenton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeydenton?igsh=aGowejl0bHQydnhx&utm_source=qr
- Twitter: https://x.com/mikeydenton_?s=21
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mikeydenton_?feature=shared
