Meet Anniesha

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anniesha. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Anniesha, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic was shaped long before I ever owned a business. It comes from watching my parents work tirelessly, not just to provide, but to show up, for their family, their community, and their purpose. My father, in particular, taught me the value of discipline and consistency. Whether we were training together for the annual Turkey Trot or tackling a new challenge, he reminded me that the goal isn’t perfection, it’s perseverance.
Growing up, I understood that success wasn’t handed to anyone; it was earned through resilience, humility, and faith. I carried those lessons into every stage of my journey, from being a beauty professional with one chair to leading a licensed academy. There were long nights, setbacks, and moments of doubt, but the foundation of hard work and integrity never wavered.
My work ethic also comes from my students and the women I serve. Seeing their drive to build better lives inspires me to keep pushing forward, to lead by example, and to keep creating opportunities that didn’t exist before. I don’t believe in luck, I believe in preparation, purpose, and the courage to show up even when no one’s watching.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m the owner of Pompano Beauty Academy and Ann-LASH Beauty Bar, where education, empowerment, and beauty come together. My work focuses on helping individuals, especially women, transform their passion for beauty into a sustainable career. At Pompano Beauty Academy, we offer hybrid and in-person programs that make it possible for students to balance life, work, and education while earning their esthetic license. What’s most exciting is knowing that our academy is the first of its kind in Florida to receive state approval for hybrid instruction, a milestone that represents innovation, accessibility, and progress in beauty education.
At Ann-LASH Beauty Bar, I get to stay connected to the artistry and creativity that first inspired me to enter the industry. It’s where I train, mentor, and still personally serve clients, because I believe leaders should stay rooted in the work that started their journey.
What’s truly special about my brand is that it’s built on purpose, not just profit. Through my nonprofit foundation, we provide scholarships for young women aging out of foster care and local high school seniors, giving them a chance to learn a trade and create financial independence.
What’s New
We’re launching complimentary financial literacy workshops this year for students, alumni, and community members, because true success isn’t just about skill, it’s about sustainability. We’re also expanding our offerings in 2026 to include two new beauty programs, alongside a donor campaign that will allow more students to receive scholarships.
At the heart of it all, my mission is simple: to educate, elevate, and empower. I want every student who walks through our doors to leave knowing they have the power to create the life they dream of.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have had the most impact on my journey: resilience, adaptability, and empathy.
Resilience has been my foundation. Entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous, it’s full of challenges, setbacks, and lessons that test your patience and purpose. There were times when doors closed, plans fell apart, or I doubted myself. But every obstacle taught me to stand firm in my vision. My advice to anyone starting out is this: expect challenges, but don’t let them define you. The key is not to avoid failure, but to learn and grow from it.
Adaptability has kept me moving forward. The beauty industry, like life, is constantly evolving. From new technologies to changing education standards, I’ve had to pivot often, especially when developing Florida’s first hybrid beauty academy. To those early in their journey, I’d say: stay open to learning. Be willing to shift, reimagine, and reinvent when necessary. Growth comes when you’re flexible enough to evolve.
And finally, empathy is what grounds everything I do. Understanding people, students, clients, and team members, has helped me lead with compassion and build meaningful connections. Success isn’t just about what you achieve; it’s about how you make others feel along the way. If you lead with empathy, people will not only remember your work, but they’ll also remember your heart.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

One book that has deeply influenced my journey is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a timeless story about purpose, faith, and following your calling, even when the path isn’t clear. What spoke to me most was the idea that everything you need to fulfill your purpose is already within you; you just have to trust the process and take the first step.
There’s a passage in the book that says, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” That resonated deeply with me, especially during the moments when I was building my businesses from the ground up. There were seasons when I questioned whether I was ready or qualified, but I learned that alignment and action attract opportunity. You don’t have to have it all figured out, just be willing to start and stay consistent.
Another powerful takeaway from The Alchemist is that the journey is just as important as the destination. Every detour, delay, and disappointment holds a lesson meant to prepare you for where you’re going. That perspective helped me view challenges not as failures, but as refining moments that shaped me into a stronger leader and educator.
This book reminded me that success is not only about reaching your goal, it’s about who you become along the way.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Anniesha McDonald

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than