Cosmetology Student Success Story: Anthony Garnica

About Anthony Garnica

It started with Beyoncé.

Anthony Garnica was 10 years old when he watched the “Crazy In Love” music video and could not take his eyes off her hair. That was it. Something lit up in him that day that never really switched off. He started doing his friends’ hair before school dances. He did his friend Lauren’s hair for her wedding. He would watch hours of tutorials not because anyone told him to, but because he genuinely could not help himself. He begged people to let him practice on them. He was that kid, and he knew it, and he leaned in completely.

Anthony making a mini version of himself

So when it came time to choose a path after high school, you might expect the answer was obvious. It was not. Anthony had three options on the table: university, beauty school, or dance contracts. Anthony has always contained multitudes. He chose university, because it felt like the responsible thing to do, and he committed to it fully. What followed was a 13-year career in Leadership and Operations Management. He traveled the country opening healthcare clinics. He led teams. He won awards for his leadership. By every measurable standard, he was doing great. Internally? Not as exciting.

That distinction matters. There is a version of Anthony’s story where he stays in the corporate world and keeps collecting awards. But eventually a quiet question got loud enough that he could not ignore it anymore: what is my actual aspiration in life? He turned to the only source that has never steered him wrong. Beyoncé, of course, who once said, “My aspiration in life, would be, to be happy.” Anthony heard that and thought: same.

He quit his job, took a two-month sabbatical, and gave himself permission to figure it out. During a haircut appointment, he asked his stylist where they went to school. They talked about EBC and how prepared they felt going into their state boards. Anthony went home, researched, and signed up.

Sometimes the decision you have been putting off for years gets made in the middle of a haircut. For Anthony, after 13 years, that is exactly what happened.

The Evergreen Experience

Anthony is currently in the coloring unit at EBC’s North Seattle campus, and it is safe to say he is in his element. He loves the technique. He loves the precision of the sectioning. He especially loves what happens when he gets to put foils on Miss Joselyn, his trusty mannequin head, who he has subjected to some truly creative color experiments. “I love making Miss Joselyn look crazy with a bunch of foils in her head,” he says, with the energy of someone who means every word.

Anthony’s first highlights on his trusty mannequin, Miss Joselyn.

Outside of the technical work, what has surprised Anthony most is the community he found at EBC. After being in corporate environments, walking into a school where people genuinely root for each other has been something else. “If I ever have a bad day, I know they are there to give me an encouraging word, a hug, a laugh,” he says. “I am super grateful to be surrounded by people who uplift each other.” For someone who has managed teams and operations across the country, Anthony knows what good culture feels like. And he will tell you: EBC has it.

Now, what can you expect when you actually book with Anthony? He thought about this and decided the most honest answer was to let the people around him do the talking. These are real things his classmates have said, word for word:

“He has enough personality for two people.” Translation: Anthony is not shy. He will talk to anyone, make anyone comfortable, and make anyone feel like a regular the moment they sit down.

“I can hear your laugh from across the salon.” Translation: your appointment will not feel like an appointment. It will feel like hanging out with someone who happens to be very good at hair.

“OMG, you ARE Beyoncé’s number one fan!” Translation: if you ever need a Beyoncé research paper written, a deep-dive playlist curated, or simply someone who shares your appreciation for the greatest artist of our time, Anthony is your person.

The Next Step

Anthony Garnica’s first hair cut on Miss Joselyn

Here is what 13 years in leadership does to a person: it makes you very, very good at growing other people. Anthony has been a trainer, a mentor, and an operations lead in every role he has ever held. He did not leave that behind when he walked into EBC. He brought it with him, and now he is figuring out how to point it at the beauty industry.

His vision after graduation is to combine both of his greatest strengths: doing hair and building people up. That could look like traveling to lead workshops on specific techniques, becoming an educator, or opening his own salon where he brings on assistants and pours into their careers the way he always has. Whatever shape it takes, Anthony is going to be teaching. That has never not been part of the plan.

His advice to anyone who has been thinking about beauty school and talking themselves out of it? “Nike, don’t sue me, but just do it.” He follows that with something that hits a little harder: “At the end of my life, I do not want to have any ‘what ifs.’ My life will be full of ‘I did.’ I hope the same goes for you.”

Anthony Garnica is expected to graduate from EBC’s North Seattle campus in July 2027. Follow along on Instagram at @TheAnthonyShow and on TikTok at @TheAnthonyShow1. The show, as they say, is just getting started.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the beauty industry, check out our Cosmetology program or Schedule a Virtual Tour at one of our campuses: Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, North Seattle, Renton, Olympia, and Yakima.