Matcha Scrubs Officially Launches on June 19

MiChaela Barker '24 came to SOM with a passion for inclusivity and healthcare. By the time she graduated, she was a full-time founder. Matcha Scrubs, which launches officially on Juneteenth of this year, produces aesthetic silk-lined scrub caps for medical professionals. We caught up with MiChaela in advance of the launch to discuss her vision, process, and time at SOM.

Can you tell us about your company—what problem it solves, who it serves, and what makes it unique in the market?

Matcha Scrubs is a healthcare-meets-lifestyle brand reimagining what scrub caps should be—starting with a satin-lined scrub cap that protects your hair. It is the first and the only scrub cap that holds your glasses/eye shield securely in place, creating no tension on the ears. All of our scrub caps have mask holders, increased dimensions to hold all hair types and styles, and a moisture wicking sweatband.

We solve a real problem: the current one-size-fits-none approach in medical accessories leaves behind anyone with textured or protective hairstyles. Our caps are designed not just for function but for confidence—combining comfort, style, and innovation in one product.

And here’s what makes us stand out: luxury meets lifestyle. Our caps are satin-lined to protect curls, coils, waves, braids, and edges—no more breakage or slippage—and they’re designed for both clinical and everyday use. Whether you’re in the OR, working out, running errands post-shift, or even using it as hair protection when you go to sleep, Matcha Scrubs shows up for you.

Was launching your own company always part of your plan when you joined Yale SOM?

I came to Yale SOM deeply passionate about healthcare and equity, not knowing I’d leave as a founder. I always knew that building something of my own—something that created meaningful impact—was on the horizon. But I never imagined how quickly the pieces would come together or how much progress could be made in such a short time.

The idea for Matcha Scrubs actually started back in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. I watched my mom, an OB-GYN, struggle not only with scrub caps that didn’t fit or protect her natural hair—but also with painful sores and lesions behind her ears from constantly wearing masks and eye shields during long shifts. It was frustrating, and it was personal.

As someone who’s worked in healthcare and public health spaces for years, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just her issue—it was a systemic design failure. And if the solution didn’t exist, I knew I had to create it.

Yale SOM gave me the opportunity, the network, and the confidence to go from idea to execution. But what made the biggest difference? The community. I could not have done this alone. My peers and mentors showed up for me in every way imaginable—as product testers, models, tech pack designers, sounding boards, accountability partners, and cheerleaders.

There were many late nights—sketching designs, refining prototypes, navigating supply chain hurdles—but every single moment was worth it. And I mean it when I say: the people around me are the reason I got this far. Their belief in the vision kept me going. And it reminded me that when you’re building something rooted in purpose, you’re never really building it alone.

Were there specific courses, programs, professors, or projects at Yale SOM that directly shaped the concept or development of your startup?

Absolutely! The Startup Founders Practicum with Jennifer McFadden was game-changing—it gave me dedicated time, mentorship, and structure to move from idea to action. As someone juggling 2 Masters programs at Yale (MPH/MBA) as well as being SOM Student Government President, Consortium Liaison, BBA Leader, and more, having weekly meetings with Jen helped me stay accountable, learn from other founders, and consider other perspectives that I never would have thought about on my own.

Jen really pushed me to get over my imposter syndrome. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have applied for, and gotten, the SOM Entrepreneurial Award, Tsai CITY Accelerator, Tsai CITY Summer Fellowship, and Tsai CITY Advanced Founders’ Program. These opportunities allowed me to create prototypes, have tech packs made, order samples, find an IP lawyer, and obtain a contracted manufacturer.

And beyond coursework, it was the Yale SOM community—my cohort, the faculty, and alumni—who poured belief into the vision early on and continually support me.

What were the biggest milestones or turning points that brought your business from concept to launch?

One of the biggest turning points was being selected for the Tsai CITY Summer Fellowship. The funding I received allowed me to cover one of my largest early expenses—purchasing samples and initial inventory—which helped bring the product to life in a tangible way.

Another major milestone was conducting customer discovery throughout my time at Yale SOM. I initially set out to create a better scrub cap for healthcare professionals, but what I uncovered was even more exciting: people also wanted to use these caps as sleepwear—like bonnets or durags—to protect their hair overnight, and even as workout accessories thanks to the built-in moisture-wicking sweatband. These insights expanded my understanding of the product’s potential beyond the hospital.

That process helped me realize that my SAM, TAM, and SOM were significantly larger than I had initially projected. Matcha Scrubs wasn’t just a niche healthcare accessory—it was becoming a versatile, functional, and stylish solution for a broader lifestyle market. That insight shaped the go-to-market strategy and helped validate the decision to move forward with the launch.

What advice would you give to current MBA students at Yale SOM who are considering launching their own startups?

Don’t wait for perfect. Start scrappy, start small—but start.

You’re in one of the richest ecosystems for entrepreneurship—use it. That means not only tapping into the SOM network, but the full Yale, New Haven, and even New York ecosystems. There are professors, alumni, grants, workshops, accelerators, pitch competitions, design studios, clinics, and labs that can all help shape your venture from idea to launch.

And here’s the thing: you only have so much time as a student. Once you graduate, some of those resources become harder (or more expensive) to access. So treat every term, every office hour, and every cold email like it counts—because it does.

Also—don’t let cringe or analysis paralysis stop you. I get it: launching something with your name on it feels personal and risky. But if it doesn’t resonate, you can pivot. If it flops, you’ll learn faster. The longer you hold off, the further you delay your success—and the more time you give someone else to do it first.

And finally, if the problem is personal, you’re already the expert. That lived experience is your unfair advantage. Build from it. Believe in it. And go.

Are there any other details regarding the launch and/or your time at SOM that you would like to share?

Launching Matcha Scrubs as a full-time MBA/MPH student was one of the most intense and fulfilling things I’ve ever done.

What I’m most proud of, though, is not just the product—but the purpose behind it. This isn’t just about a scrub cap. It’s about making people feel seen, protected, and stylish in spaces that too often strip that away. That’s why I”m launching on Juneteenth, as a way to show that innovation and inclusion go hand-in-hand. With more inclusion, our innovations get better and better. Inclusion does not mean that a product is only meant for one group of people. In fact, it just makes things more relatable, accessible, and better for everyone.

To every SOMer who’s ever thought, “Can I really do this?”—you can. And you don’t have to do it alone. Yale SOM gave me a village, and I really hope that you take advantage of it while you’re on campus!