Through passion and hard work, she built a barbershop business that helped bring more attention to Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi: When Amal Salah AlBarout told her father she wanted to open a barbershop, his response was direct.
“Do whatever you want, but do not come crying if it does not work.”
It worked. Next month, Uptown Barbershop will celebrate its eighth anniversary. Located on a mezzanine floor in Abu Dhabi’s Al Muroor area, the shop is not visible from the main street, yet it has built a loyal following that includes footballers, NBA players, and Hollywood personalities.
Her father was among the first people to visit the shop before it opened. Seeing what his daughter had created made him proud.
But the barbershop is only one part of Amal’s story. By day, she works for Miral, the company behind Yas Island’s theme parks and destinations. Before joining the company, she spent nearly six years abroad promoting Abu Dhabi as an international travel destination. She also helps organize community events, including a TEDx programme for young people.
“When people approach me, it is always about the barbershop. But I do a lot of things,” she said.
Growing Up With Abu Dhabi’s Transformation
Amal, 39, grew up in Abu Dhabi and watched the city change throughout her childhood. Her family lived in the heart of the city, and weekends often meant trips to Mina Zayed and the old souk near the port.
“I have a lot of very good memories there,” she recalled.
The announcement of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Vision left a lasting impression on her. The plans were widely discussed, and an exhibition allowed visitors to see proposed infrastructure projects and developments.
“People were surprised. For me, I wanted to be part of that. But how? I did not know yet,” she said.
That desire to contribute to the city’s growth would eventually shape her career.
From Finance Graduate to International Sales Manager
Amal studied finance at Abu Dhabi University and graduated in 2012. Although finance appeared to be the practical career choice, an internship had already convinced her that banking and accounting were not the right fit.
“It was not for me,” she said.
Her career took a different direction when Etihad Airways approached her for an international sales role. The position required her to work abroad.
After completing the interview process and getting shortlisted, she discussed the opportunity with her father. His response surprised her.
“Do you want this? If you want it, I will support you,” he told her.
Amal is one of eight siblings and says she has always tried to set an example for them.
“I paved the way for them; I always try to be the best version for them,” she said.
Promoting Abu Dhabi to the World
Amal spent almost six years working overseas, including two years in Greece, followed by assignments in Melbourne and New York. As an international sales manager, her responsibility was to promote Abu Dhabi as a travel destination.
At the time, the city was not as familiar to international audiences as it is today.
“Back then Abu Dhabi was not on the map like today. It was always a question mark,” she said.
Her presentations introduced people to the emirate’s development plans and its position as a hub connecting East and West.
Her responsibilities expanded during her time in New York, where she managed markets including the US, Canada, India, Germany, and the GCC. The role involved frequent international travel and conversations with people who knew little about the UAE.
Some even believed Emiratis still lived in tents in the desert.
“A lot of people told me, ‘We have never spoken to anybody from the UAE,'” she recalled.
Amal made it a priority to leave a positive impression wherever she went.
“I always tried to leave a positive impression. I represent my country at its best,” she said.
Living abroad also changed her personality. She described herself as shy and quiet before leaving Abu Dhabi, but working in different countries pushed her to communicate with people from varied backgrounds.
Despite the distance, she never lost her connection to home.
“Big time,” she said when asked about her homesickness. “I always say Abu Dhabi is the capital of my heart.”
One memory from her time in Athens still stands out. Her laptop wallpaper was a picture of New York, although she had no idea she would eventually live there.
“And I ended up going,” she said.
Returning to Abu Dhabi and Joining Miral
Amal’s return to the UAE was not part of a carefully planned career move. After Etihad, she had to work out her next professional step, and that led her to Miral.
Yas Island had already featured in her work for years. In 2015, while attending Arabian Travel Market, she saw Warner Bros. promoting its upcoming theme park and was invited to the opening. She had regularly spoken about Ferrari World and the island’s development while working in international tourism sales.
At the time, she had no idea she would eventually join the company responsible for the destinations she had been promoting.
“For me, my career path went crazy,” she said.
When she joined Miral, the company had three or four theme parks. Since then, the portfolio has grown, and she has been involved in the openings of almost half of them.
The change also gave her a different perspective on Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry.
“Before, I was working with the stakeholder. Now I am the stakeholder,” she said.
She has noticed how international perceptions of the city have changed. During her Etihad years, people often asked where Abu Dhabi was. Today, she says, the name is widely recognized.
When international partners visit, she also takes them beyond the major attractions, introducing them to places where Emiratis shop for textiles and the local food they enjoy.
“It makes me proud of how far I have come and that I am part of the development of the city. That is what I always wanted when I was younger,” she said.
How Uptown Barbershop Started
Uptown Barbershop began with an interest in streetwear and sneakers. Amal’s original business idea was to open a sneaker store, but her time in New York introduced her to a different concept.
She spent weekends in Brooklyn and the East and West Village, where barbershops often serve as neighbourhood gathering places.
“I had seen it in the movies, then I realized: it is real,” she said.
After returning to Abu Dhabi, a friend bought a barbershop but left the space unused for six months. Amal offered to help. She developed the concept, decided what kind of barbers to hire, and chose the name.
The shop became a success, and her friend encouraged her to start her own business.
“You’re good at this. Why don’t you open your own?” he told her.
Her first reaction was shaped by the fact that barbershops were traditionally male-dominated businesses.
“I’m a woman. How can I open a barbershop?” she replied.
Three months later, she found a location and opened Uptown. During the first six months, she was at the shop every day, unsure whether the business would survive.
It grew through word of mouth. The interior reflects her love of streetwear, with young barbers, a distinctive yellow ceiling, and an atmosphere she describes as “so New York.”
A Barbershop Built Around Community
For Amal, Uptown was never meant to be just a place where people get haircuts. She wanted it to become a space where customers could relax, talk, and take a break from their daily routines.
“I wanted to create a place where clients walk in and forget everything outside the door. I always tell my staff, ‘You never know what that person in the chair went through today or what is waiting for them afterwards.’ Your job is to make sure they feel comfortable and leave happy,” she said.
Customers often arrive for a haircut and stay to talk. Some bring friends, while others simply spend time at the shop.
“It’s not about making money,” she said.
That philosophy also shapes how she hires and supports her team. Amal wanted to allow young barbers to experience life and work in Abu Dhabi. She searched for them through Instagram hashtags and sent direct messages.
“They probably thought I was a scammer,” she laughed.
Many arrived in the UAE for the first time to work at Uptown, and most have stayed with the business.
Amal now hears her barbers telling customers how happy they are living in Abu Dhabi.
“I never told them to. It makes me happy from the inside,” she said.
Organizing TEDx Events for Young People
The community spirit behind Uptown also extends to Amal’s work outside the barbershop.
Last year, she joined two friends to organize the first TEDx event in Abu Dhabi, working without the backing of a company.
This year, she is a co-organizer of a youth edition for participants aged 10 to 18, bringing together Emirati and resident children. The programme encourages young speakers to share their own stories, with support from experts who work with children.
The event is scheduled for December 19 at Nabdh Al Falah Community Center.
Working with young participants has also made her more aware of the influence adults can have on younger generations. Some parents have told her they follow her on Instagram.
“Somebody is watching. It shows how the younger generation looks up to us,” she said.
Fitness, Personal Growth and Advice to Young Women
Amal’s schedule reflects the discipline she brings to her different responsibilities. She wakes up at 5:30 am, reaches the gym by 6:15 am, and starts work at 9 am.
This year, she took part in her first Hyrox competition after eight weeks of training. She also lost five kilograms as part of her preparation.
“My goal was just to finish,” she said. She did.
She has also participated in sports competitions organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
Looking back at the quiet girl she once was, Amal believes she would be surprised by the life she has built.
“She would be so proud. I never imagined I would be where I am today. Historically as women, we had limited options. Now the world is our oyster,” she said.
She has also been invited to speak at women’s empowerment summits and hopes to share her experience with wider audiences.
Her advice to girls pursuing ambitious careers, particularly in male-dominated industries, is straightforward: “Always believe in yourself. If you fail, get up and keep trying. It is going to work in the end.”
For Amal, Abu Dhabi remains the place that made many of her ambitions possible.
“It is the land of dreams where everything can come true,” she said.
Photo: Amal Salah AlBarout, 39, is the owner and founder of Uptown Barbershop in Abu Dhabi.
Source: Gulf News
