Michael Sean Uy
SO HOW do you size up a person’s potential? Is it by the business he owns? His net worth? Or is it being able to live his dreams? Michael Sean “Mick” Uy can be all that, and more.
This 33-year-old businessman banded with friends (Charles Gosingtan, Kenny Go, and Ken Ngo) to set up 22 Thatcher Barbershop.
Together they established the city’s third-wave men’s grooming hub (from haircuts, coffee and whiskey, now expanding to curated items). Serving more than the typical transactional haircut, 22T just celebrated its first year and is now slowly inching its way as Cebu’s forefront gentleman’s lifestyle. Age defies, and like a true gentleman,
Mick certainly knows how to mix work and pleasure—like his aged whiskey.
But for Mick, it all boils down to being a good person.
For a few minutes, he becomes silent. Taking in few minutes in distilling emotion then carrying on.
Admittedly, Mick was quick to realize that good things do take a while.
“The one problem that I had back then was that I was into too many things—a little bit of everything from music, film, sports, business, and travel—that’s why it felt so good to put up this business because it got me focused on a single thing,” he says. He appreciates the random moments. And the teamplayer in him stems from his strong work ethic. “We love seeing people appreciate the work we do at the shop, because that’s why we put it up in the first place:
To share the finer things we value,” he imparts.
Whether in business, his travels, the growing concern for the society and Mother Earth, right away you will notice that there’s more to his tall and lean physique—here’s
an entrepreneur and a carefree spirit who knows too well that the secret to success is giving. Success is a result of many things for different people, yet for Michael Uy, it
is the outcome of loving what he does.
Have you always wanted to do this?
Yes. My partners and I have been planning this for quite some time and it was only last year when we finally went ahead with it. I guess each person has something that calls to them and the desire never really goes away until you heed it. We’re lucky enough to have friends in the industry who have encouraged and supported us.
Is there anything that you discovered about Cebuano customers?
It’s a very interesting segment. From a marketing perspective, one thing I really like about Cebuanos is that they really know what they want. These are people with conviction, who are sure of themselves; and that’s something that we’ve benefited from. Our clients were kind enough to give us feedback and, lucky for us, most of the things they want are the same things we want.
How’s the business doing after its first year?
Since we opened last year, we’ve always set our sights on becoming a lifestyle hub. 22 Thatcher is a space where a man can walk in and be surrounded by the very things that validate his identity and complement his manner. From haircuts to coffee and whiskey, we have expanded to other curated items like skincare products, vintage watches, and handmade leather goods. The general ruleis that we first test the merchandise ourselves before it goes out ondisplay. A lot of what you see here is a reflection
of our mantra, which is to simply put the best out there and let people discover and experience.
Tell us more about your vintage watches.
We’ve partnered with an avid watch collector whom we’ll call Mr. M because he wishes to remain anonymous.
His collection has grown to such scale that he couldn’t give all his watches the needed attention anymore, and so 22T has taken on the task of finding a new home for some items in his collection by displaying them in the shop. Most of these watches are 50 or 60 years old and are very uncommon, so there’s no real pressure to sell them. So far we’ve had a few purchases, and as long as people are willing to take care of these vintage timepieces, then we’ll keep that wormhole to Mr. M’s collection open.
You were at BarberConnect (a UK barber convention) recently. What made you attend?
There are various styles but our main influence is the classic English barbershop. There are several conventions happening around the world, but we felt most aligned with this segment and thus decided to meet the owners and barbers from that area. It was attended by barbers not only from Europe but also from other continents. We felt proud to represent the Philippine barber community and to benchmark our techniques with other experts.
What’s the biggest takeaway from that trip?
For most shops here, we are still working on the fade, perfecting our pompadours, utilizing the hard part, and that has been the trend for the past three years. Nothing wrong with that. In Europe, the fade is still essential (if you have short sides) but everybody is already expected to pull off a good fade as the basic foundation to a haircut. Their topics have transcended to techniques with sections, weight, lines, and graduation. The community is very connected and barbers are constantly pushing each other to greater heights.
What sets 22 Thatcher apart from other grooming establishments?
When we are talking about a third-wave barbershop such as 22 Thatcher, it gives you so much more than the typical transactional haircut. It’s all about the experience. We make sure that the one hour you spend with us is really for you. That’s why we go through great lengths of exploring not only the local, but the global barber community: so we can be sure that the experience we’re creating for our clients can compete with those from any other barbershop in the world.
Barbering is a balance between consistency of the craft (where you need to master the fundamentals) and creativity with your work. Barbers express themselves by creating something unique for each client. The challenge now becomes: How are you able to deliver something very personal while at the same time make sure your technique is sound?
You shuttle between Manila and Cebu.
I was born and raised in Manila. I’ve been traveling since I was little and I would live in different countries for a few weeks or months at a time. But I have been coming to Cebu since I was a kid. I love Cebu and I don’t feel like a stranger here. I thrive in the balance of being in Manila and living that hardcore, Type-A personality lifestyle that’s stressful and toxic. I mean that’s the life I have grown up to. And then you come here to Cebu where people are more laid-back, taking more time indulging in life’s subtleties. The people here are so nice and warm—it’s refreshing. Life is all about balance.
What was your childhood like?
I had a bit of a random childhood because I was very bookish when I was younger. I attended a strict Catholic school, and whether I like it or not I always carry that experience with me. In high school I transferred and learned to be bulakbol (laughter). Regardless of where I was, I would always get in trouble from pulling pranks on people— students and teachers alike. I’d be top of the class but at the disciplinarian’s office at the same time. That’s always been me though.
Speaking of books, tell us about your favorite one?
I have always loved “The Little Prince” and “The Alchemist.” I make sure to read them once a year and it’s a different experience every time.
So you had it all figured out back then?
The one problem that I had back then was that I was into too many things—a little bit of everything from music, film, sports, business, and travel—that’s why it felt so good to put up this business because it got me focused on a single thing. And for my partners and I to be able to share ourselves with people takes it to another level. It’s one thing to enjoy life and it’s another for us to be able to bring that experience to other people. We love seeing people appreciate the work we do at the shop, because that’s why we put it up in the first place: To share the finer things we value.
What’s it like working in a team since there are four owners?
Kami naman, we’re lucky enough that for 90 percent of the ideas, we’re all in sync. And for the 10 percent we don’t immediately agree on, we just vote on it. We discuss first the merits and downsides and then if ever we don’t agree, okay lang. As long as the majority has spoken we honor it and stand behind it. It’s a democracy. I
prefer having partners because four heads are definitely better than one, and I have learned so much from Kenny, Calel, and Ken. At the end of the day we share the same goal, which is to deliver the ultimate grooming experience.
What are you like as a boss?
I always try to let the people in the team be themselves, as much as we can. In a business like this, we prioritize quality. So the challenge is always finding the middle ground between the strict protocols to be followed and letting each team member express themselves. The management has a tough job because we have to make sure that the business in on point, at the same time we have to try to keep everybody happy, which aren’t always the same thing. All employers know this. We are lucky and grateful to have good people on board.
What makes you happy?
I am a nomad at heart. I am one of those guys who would just strap on a backpack with a few days’ worth of clothes and see where I end up. I like to wander and get lost and just take on the challenges of spontaneous travel. That makes me happy. But also, since I amalways away , I miss my family a lot. I always look forward to coming home from a trip and my folks would be waiting for me to hear about my adventures. Like I said earlier, balance is key.
Who are your role models?
My biggest role models are my parents. Both of them started from humble beginnings and raised a family while growing their separate businesses, each step of the way never forgetting to help other people and be good human beings. They’ve been running charities since before I was born. Today, they are at the helm of a scholarship foundation, a children’s orphanage, and the church’s family ministry. Being their son taught me two things: 1) your own success in only a stepping stone for
you to uplift other people’s lives, and 2) with how blessed our generation is, we have no reason to be arrogant. Help others, and stay humble.
Anything to check on your bucket list?
In the past few years, I’ve been having this growing concern for the environment. In the course of my life I have wasted resources, produced a ton of garbage, polluted, and I am just one person. Imagine the impact of more than seven billion people on one planet. So I started minimizing my carbon footprint through simple practices such as walking, consuming less, and avoiding plastic. My reusable water bottle has already made it with me across four continents. And the good news is not only are these things free, but they also save you money. We’ve also done some projects to advocate this to other people. One thing I do want to do for Mother Earth is to put up a small recycling or upcycling facility to offset the waste created within my spheres of influence.
At what point could you tell yourself: I am contented?
It really depends on the stage in your life you’re at. And lately what’s been making me happy is community service. I’ve worked with different communities in the Philippines through an organization called JCI Manila. And having that connection with people from different walks of life is something that not everyone gets to do: To put yourself in their shoes, stage an intervention, and see their lives change for the better. We spend countless amounts of time and money to execute these projects, but
at the end of the day when all is said and done, you see the impact you have created. That is something that you can’t put a price tag on.