Meet Miki Williamsen | Hair Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Miki Williamsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miki, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process for starting my own business was to be independent. I wanted to work for myself and choose my own destiny. I also wanted a challenge. I have never done anything like this and it starting my own business has definitely been a challenge! It has also been very rewarding watching my business grow.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I operate a one-person hair salon suite. I do hair cut, styles, color, and perm.

What I am most proud of, and what sets my salon apart from others, is my Japanese head-spa treatment. This steam treatment for the scalp is very relaxing, and helps with blood circulation. It not only feels great, it can improve overall scalp and hair health.

It definitely wasn’t easy opening my business. I started in early 2020, just months before the covid lockdowns. It was a bit of a struggle keeping my business open during that time, but I made it! Thanks to the support of my family and my wonderful customers, I am still open.

What I want the world to know about Kitarou Hair Salon is the overall experience. I try very hard to make my customers feel special and welcome. It is more than a haircut or style, it is an experience. I enjoy talking to my customers about their lives, and even have become friends with some of them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t get into ‘touristy’ things too much, but I of course would recommend a few places for food and drinks.

I really like Osaka’s in Boulder. Their food, drinks, and service are all amazing. The tako-yaki is mouth-watering.

Craft beer breweries are just about everywhere, but my husband and I really enjoy Kettle and Spoke, also in Boulder. It is a very small and intimate brewery and taproom that also shares space with a bicycle shop. The owner and brewer loves chatting with customers and of course the beer is great. Kettle and Spoke also happens to host one of my customer’s personal vegetable/herb business on some weekends. Drop by on a Sunday, and you might be able to buy some home-grown vegetables, herbs, or flowers from her and her husband.

Longmont has a great little taco shop called Summit Tacos. Very authentic, street style tacos, and a cozy atmosphere.

I also have two Japanese style bakeries that I love: Tokyo Premium Bakery in Denver and The Enchanted Oven in Broomfield. Both are delicious. I would recommend the curry bread at Tokyo Premium, and The Enchanted Oven makes a tiramisu that is delicious.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband deserves a lot of credit for where I am with my business now. Not only did he support my decision to start my salon, he also helps me with the business. He has helped with website, salon decorations, taxes, and even general maintenance when he can.

Another shoutout would have to go to my original mentors, Mr. and Mrs. Kudo, from Arty Hair Salon in San Francisco. This was one of my first jobs as a hairstylist after completing school. It was a very professional and popular salon and I learned a ton from them.

Last shoutout, but of course not least would be where the name of my salon comes from. My childhood friends from Okinawa, Japan formed a ‘group’ after we graduated high school. We named ourselves “Kitarou”. They are my lifelong friends and I am very proud to name my salon after them.

Website: https://kitarouhair.wixsite.com/website