Esthetics Student Success Story: Darricka Ankrah

About Darricka Ankrah

Darricka Ankrah has a special way of moving through the world: giving back with warmth, strength, and purpose.

Long before she ever stepped into a beauty school, Darricka was the heart of her home. She cooked Ghanaian food, did her family’s hair, cuts, braids, straightening, gave massages, and poured care into the people she loved most. With three children of her own, that instinct to nurture only grew. “I had a passion for making people feel seen, feel loved and caring,” she says. Nobody had to teach her that. She has always known how to show up for the people she loves.

Before EBC, Darricka had served our country for 10 years in the U.S. Air Force. After the birth of her third child, Darricka decided to transition out of service to become a stay-at-home mom. During that transition, she found a new sense of purpose in supporting other mothers and began training as a Traditional Holistic Postpartum Doula. Darricka found herself sitting with new mothers in their most vulnerable moments, holding space for women who needed someone to remind them of their worth. She had experienced that kind of love firsthand during her own postpartum journey, and it left a lasting impression. “I don’t want women to view postpartum as a loss of self, but more like a renewal of strength,” she says. That belief has become something special in her life. When mothers need someone to remind them of their strength, their worth, or who they are, Darricka is there.

During her final two years of service, Darricka had already been thinking ahead. She searched for schools and EBC came up. She reached out and was connected with Blair, her admissions representative, who took care of her from that very first conversation. Through every step of her transition, Blair was there, making sure Darricka felt supported and never had to figure it out alone. When the time finally came, she showed up ready.

The Evergreen Experience

Darricka came to EBC’s Olympia campus knowing what she was after: facials, skincare, and the science behind it all. What she found was a program that matched her hunger. “I really wanted to learn skincare and facials,” she says. “Now that I know it, I’ve worked hard to understand products and skin analysis.” Watching clients see real results and make small lifestyle changes to reach their goals has made every bit of that hard work worth it.

Darricka with her classmates

Waxing was where she had to really push herself. Time management was a challenge early on, but Darricka was determined. “I struggled with waxing time management and now I feel like I’ve mastered it as best as I could,” she says. The more time she spent in the practice setting, the more she trusted herself. By the time real clients were sitting in front of her, that confidence had become second nature. Darricka is one of the most driven students to come through EBC’s Olympia campus, and it shows in everything she does.

Since joining EBC, Darricka has shown up well beyond the classroom. She was part of the Back to School Event, EBC’s biggest community event of the year where students provide free beauty services to K-12 kids in the area. Darricka came away with something that has stayed with her: school-age kids and preteens are deeply underserved when it comes to skincare, and through the Back to School Event, she got to help close that gap. She also earned the In Demand Award, the Digital Marketing Award, and the 100% Attendance Award, with her eye still on the Culture Award before she walks in November. We are rooting for you, Darricka!

When you sit down with Darricka, you are getting someone who cares about a lot more than your skin. “I’m an encouraging and genuine person,” she says. “Everyone deserves to feel like they are worthy of being seen, being heard and most of all being loved.” She spent years as a postpartum doula sitting with mothers in their most vulnerable moments, reminding them of their own worth. That is the exact same thing she brings into the treatment room.

The Next Step

Darricka applying makeup on classmate

Darricka is not thinking small. After graduation she plans to externship at a spa or salon that will value her work ethic and bring her on. Then she is heading to Ghana for a few months to experience skincare there, learn from a different market, and carry those lessons back with her. Her focus is clear: serving all Fitzpatrick types with a specialization in BIPOC clients, particularly Fitzpatrick types 3 through 6, and postpartum mothers. One day, she wants to own a wellness lounge.

Her advice says everything about who she is: “To be a good leader is to know when to follow. To be a good teacher is to always be a student. Embrace failures; they are the scars needed for success. Remain humble, honest, and fluid.” She also earned a spot on the Wall of Fame after reaching 100 guest requests, a testament to the kind of care and presence she brings to every single appointment. Darricka is a strong leader who continues to inspire the people around her, and we cannot wait to see everything she builds next.

Darricka Ankrah is expected to graduate from EBC’s Olympia campus in November 2026. Follow her on TikTok at @therealdarricka and on Instagram at @Evolve.Holistics. We cannot wait to see the wellness lounge she builds.

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