Meet Toni Anthony | Salon Owner | Mentor | Travel Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toni Anthony and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toni, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, alongside two siblings and a host of family. My mother is one of thirteen, and, as you can imagine, there was never a dull moment! Growing up in the 90s was monumental for me. I can still smell the wax from the pressing combs and the scent of the ‘Pump It Up’ spritz as it floated through the air before landing on a set of waterfalls. Like clockwork, every two weeks on a Saturday morning, I was at the salon, watching the hairstylists create with so much ease. Those moments brought a sense of community, peace, and happiness that I don’t think I could really put into words. You would’ve just had to be there!

As I got older, I started playing in my mother’s, grandmother’s, sister’s, and frankly, anyone’s head who would let me. When I was ten, my hairstylist, Ms. Mary, the owner of Mary’s Beauty Salon, told me that one day I would have to learn how to do my hair myself, so pay attention. So I did! By the time I was twelve, I was fully responsible for my younger sister’s hair; at fifteen, my mother’s kitchen was no longer hers as I basically turned it into a salon. I would braid hair at home, make house calls, and even braid hair at school if necessary.

Spending time with my cousins consisted of a lot of fun, but I never missed an opportunity to learn how to stuff a French roll or glue down a 27-piece so that they could go out and party. As a child, I leaned into anything I could do with my hands, whether it was cooking, drawing, writing poetry, or playing in my own hair. As I entered my last few years of high school, my brother encouraged me to pursue my cosmetology degree while in high school. I actually told him ‘No.’ I had my mind made up that I wanted to be a veterinarian and that I was going to attend UGA. After further consideration, I decided to apply for the program. While in the dual program, my Aunt Estelle became my first consistent client who was determined to pay me even when I was just practicing. Hair styling has always been second nature to me.

In 2007, I graduated from high school with my diploma and a cosmetology degree. I attended college and fully pursued a biology degree with the intent of entering the medical field. Little did I know, all those small moments were preparing me for my current reality. Cosmetology carried me through college, moves out of state, and through some of my toughest times. My biggest goal in life has always been to travel the world, take my children with me, and ultimately be free. Cosmetology has afforded me that reality. God always has a plan!

My father’s influence also played a significant role in molding my professional path. He owned several businesses, and working for him allowed me to master customer service and honed my love for interacting with people. The skills I developed in his businesses complement my passion for cosmetology, shaping how I serve my clients and manage my own salon with a touch of warmth and dedication. I didn’t realize it then, but I do now; my passion is people!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a creative individual, I thrive on using my hands to shape and impact the world around me. What sets me apart from others is my integration of self-care and freedom through travel. I am more than a salon owner and stylist; I have a passion for helping people live their lives to their fullest potential and breaking down the imaginary barriers that many of us encounter. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, I guess that comes naturally!

I am most proud of my newest venture, RANE Hair Studio! Owning a salon has been a long-standing dream. My journey as an entrepreneur has not been easy. While in college, I discovered I was pregnant at 19 with my first child. I was told I would never finish college, urged to give up and pursue a 9-5 job, labeled a failure, and lost friends and family. However, what I gained was so much more! I’ve learned to embrace discomfort, trust myself, and not carry the weight of others’ opinions or misconceptions about me. At the age of 35, I’m still here, succeeding and accomplishing all the things I was told I could never do.

Throughout my career, I have heavily invested in furthering my education, not only for personal growth but with the goal of inspiring upcoming stylists who aspire to niche down. As a Silk Press Specialist, I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experiences, guiding others in the industry to find their unique niche and excel in it. My journey, from pursuing a dream to owning RANE Hair Studio, is a testament to the possibilities that come with dedication and determination. I hope to inspire and empower the next generation of stylists to embrace their passions and carve out their own distinctive paths in the world of hairstyling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In this scenario, I’m going to pretend it’s summertime, being that it’s my favorite season!

Day 1 – I would take her to Para Charlotte in South End for Tapas and drinks.

Day 2 – We would go for a morning hike at Crowders Mountain, followed by dinner at North Italia.

Day 3 – We would have brunch at Ruby Sunshine, then do some retail therapy at South Park Mall, followed by dinner at Steak 48.

Day 4 – We would rent a boat with friends and spend the day at Lake Norman.

Day 5 – We would go to The Ritz Carlton for a day at the spa and have dinner at Leroy Fox Southend.

Day 6 – We would take the train Uptown and explore, then ride to Southend for some candle making at Paddywax Candlebar, followed by dinner at Superica for some Tex-Mex.

Day 7 – We would have lunch at 131 Main. Then, I would give her the option of going to either Top Golf or Go Kart racing, and end the day with a night at Spice Lounge or Lorem Ipsum listening Bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I want to give a huge shoutout to my Heavenly Father, the source of everything in my life. A special shoutout goes to my amazing husband, my number 1 fan. Your love, encouragement, and belief in me inspire me to be my best self. Your presence in my life is a constant source of joy and support. I love you!

I also want to acknowledge my mother and sister, who remain a constant line of unwavering support. Last but not least, thank you to my closest friends who refuse to let me give up on any of my dreams. You know who you are! Thank you, God, for your grace; my husband, for your love; and my family and friends, for your unwavering friendship and support. I am truly blessed to have such incredible pillars of support in my life.

Website: ToniAnthony.com

Instagram: @ToniAnthony_ @RaneHairStudio

Youtube: @ToniAnthony

Other: Tik Tok: @ToniAnthony_ @RaneHairStudio

Image Credits
Gavin Boulware Photography