We recently had the chance to connect with Anniesha McDonald and have shared our conversation below.
Anniesha, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is a blend of structure, service, and purpose. I start my mornings early with gratitude and intention, often journaling or reviewing my goals before diving into emails and administrative tasks for Pompano Beauty Academy. Because I wear multiple hats as both the owner and lead instructor, my mornings often include checking in with staff, reviewing curriculum updates, or planning upcoming workshops and student activities.
Midday, I’m usually engaging directly with students, teaching, mentoring, or offering guidance as they navigate their training. I truly value this time because it keeps me connected to my “why”, helping individuals transform their passion for beauty into lifelong careers.
Afternoons are reserved for strategy, whether that’s meeting with community partners, developing new educational resources, or mapping out upcoming courses. As a business owner, I’m always thinking about growth, innovation, and ways to support my students beyond the classroom, including our scholarship programs and financial literacy workshops.
Evenings are my time to reflect and recharge. I might catch up on reading, spend time with family, or plan for the next day. Every day looks a little different, but the common thread is purpose, I’m building something that helps others believe in themselves and take tangible steps toward their dreams.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Anniesha McDonald, but most people call me Ann. I’m the proud owner of Pompano Beauty Academy and Ann-LASH Beauty Bar, where I combine my love for beauty, education, and empowerment to help students and clients reach their full potential.
What makes my journey unique is that I’ve always known I wanted to teach, since I was five years old, I dreamed of becoming an educator. Today, I’ve brought that dream full circle by creating a space where education and entrepreneurship meet. Through Pompano Beauty Academy, I’ve built a program that not only teaches the fundamentals of skincare, lashes, and makeup, but also prepares students for real-world success through hybrid education, financial literacy workshops, and hands-on internships.
We’re especially proud to be the only beauty school in Florida offering hybrid and in-person classes, an initiative I personally advocated for with the Florida Department of Education. This approach allows our students, many of whom are working adults or parents, to pursue their dreams while balancing life’s responsibilities.
Beyond the classroom, I’m passionate about creating opportunities. I’ve launched scholarships for local high school students and young women aging out of foster care, ensuring they have access to education, mentorship, and a clear path to independence.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding our educational offerings and developing resources, including eBooks and workshops, to make business and beauty education accessible to more young adults. Everything I do is centered around helping others see what’s possible when they believe in themselves and take action.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious little girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart. I was imaginative, bold, and always wanted to help others feel seen and valued. I spent hours “teaching” my dolls and neighborhood friends, believing that education was a way to unlock possibility, even before I fully understood what that meant.
As I got older, life tried to box me in, to be practical, to take the safer path, but deep down, I always knew I was meant to create something bigger than myself. That little girl never went away; she just grew up and learned how to turn vision into structure, passion into purpose, and dreams into opportunities for others.
Today, I lead with that same childlike curiosity and compassion. I’ve learned that I don’t have to fit into anyone’s mold. I can build my own table, invite others to sit with me, and create spaces where people are reminded that their dreams are valid, no matter where they start.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. There were moments when the weight of responsibility felt overwhelming, when the long nights, financial hurdles, and self-doubt made me question if I was really equipped to carry the vision I was building. Opening a beauty academy, advocating for change at the state level, and balancing the demands of entrepreneurship all while leading others is not easy. There were seasons when I was stretched thin, mentally, emotionally, and financially.
But in those moments, I always came back to my “why.” I would think about my students, the single mom who’s rebuilding her life, the young woman aging out of foster care who just needs someone to believe in her, or the dreamer who never thought college was possible. Remembering them reminded me that this is bigger than me.
I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come without pressure, and purpose doesn’t come without tests. Every obstacle refined me, and every challenge revealed a deeper strength I didn’t know I had. I may have wanted to give up at times, but I never did, because I knew quitting would mean letting down the very people I was called to serve.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! What you see is truly who I am. The version of me that the public sees is rooted in purpose, passion, and service. I’ve made a conscious decision to show up authentically in every space I enter, whether I’m teaching in the classroom, leading a business meeting, or mentoring a student one-on-one.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have private moments of doubt or reflection, I’m human, and I experience the same challenges and emotions as anyone else. But the woman you see publicly, the one who believes in education, empowerment, and opportunity, that’s genuinely me. I’ve learned that authenticity is my greatest strength.
I don’t believe in creating a version of myself just to be accepted. I’ve worked too hard to build a life and career that aligns with my values. So, when people meet me, they get the same Ann, passionate, purpose-driven, and fully committed to helping others see what’s possible for their own lives.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had only 10 years left, I would stop second-guessing myself and overextending my energy in spaces that don’t align with my purpose. I’d release the pressure to be everything for everyone and focus even more on being intentional, with my time, my peace, and my impact.
I would stop saying “yes” out of obligation and start saying “no” more confidently, knowing that every “no” creates room for what truly matters. I’d trade perfection for presence, because life is too short to live it rushing toward the next milestone instead of fully appreciating the moment I’m in.
More than anything, I’d double down on purpose, spending my days teaching, mentoring, traveling, and building experiences that pour into others while allowing me to enjoy the fruits of what I’ve worked so hard to create. Legacy doesn’t require a lifetime; it just requires focus, faith, and a heart for service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pompanobeautyacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pompanobeautyacademy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pompanobeautyacademy
- Other: https://gofund.me/3cc0237b
Image Credits
Anniesha McDonald
