Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Honea.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my journey at 21 years old, fresh in the industry and searching for a place where I truly belonged. I worked at a commission-based salon that never felt like the right fit, and every high-end salon I applied to felt too exclusive, too polished, or too restrictive. They did not hire me, and honestly, I did not see myself reflected there either. I quickly realized that the traditional salon environments around me were not built for someone like me.
So I made a decision to bet on myself.
I started my own business from home, creating a space where I could set my own rules, represent myself authentically, and attract the kind of clients I genuinely wanted to serve. That freedom allowed me to build a brand rooted in who I really was, not who I was expected to be. My work quickly began resonating within my community, especially with young Latina women who were seeking dramatic hair transformations that felt out of reach elsewhere. These were results many had been told were unrealistic or too risky.
I recognized there was a real demand for drastic hair changes done the right way. Healthy, intentional, and informed. Many salons were unwilling or uneducated when it came to working with dark-haired women and achieving major blonding transformations safely. I chose to lean into that gap. I invested heavily in continued education, refining my skills and ultimately mastering blonding services on dark-haired clients, which became a cornerstone of my work.
After several years of building my clientele and brand from home, I saved enough to open my first salon location. From the very beginning, my goal was simple but deeply personal. I wanted to create the environment I needed when I was searching for my own salon home back in 2015. I wanted an inclusive, family-oriented space where people felt welcomed, supported, and valued. Something I did not have but knew others were also looking for.
Today, all thanks to God, we have outgrown our first location in Carrollton and are expanding into downtown Plano, with our new space opening in late February. What started as a leap of faith has grown into a thriving salon and community. I take immense pride in building a team of passionate stylists who embody grit, perseverance, and a commitment to education. Our culture is built on teamwork, exceptional client experience, hospitality, and integrity.
We are always evolving, learning, growing, and finding new ways to better serve our guests. At the root of every decision, every expansion, and every success is God. My business flows through faith, obedience, and purpose, and I believe that is what continues to set us apart.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the earliest obstacles I faced was rejection. I was turned away from salons that could not see past appearances. I did not fit the mold they were looking for. I may have been too edgy or too urban for their idea of “high end,” and much of the rejection I experienced came from judgment rather than lack of talent. Those moments were discouraging, but they also forced me to confront an industry that often values image over individuality.
Another major challenge was the lack of mentorship. I did not have anyone guiding me or showing me how to build the kind of career I envisioned. Everything I learned, I learned on my own. I had to seek out opportunities, education, and direction without a blueprint because I did not know anyone who was doing what I wanted to do. On top of that, I constantly worked against the stereotype that hairstyling is not a real or sustainable career. I knew early on that I wanted more, and I had to prove to myself and to others that success in this industry was possible.
Building a clientele was one of the hardest parts. To invest in myself, I worked two to three jobs at a time. My nine to five funded my five to nine. Every dollar I earned went back into education, products, supplies, and equipment. It required discipline, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief that the work would eventually pay off.
Today, the obstacles look different but carry more weight. As a salon owner, the challenges are no longer just about me. Every decision I make affects my team and their livelihoods. The responsibility is heavier because I am carrying the weight of other people’s careers, growth, and stability. My role now is to show up consistently, lead with integrity, and serve my team before myself. That often means financial sacrifice and placing their needs ahead of my own.
Leadership has taught me that ownership is not about being served. It is about service. I take pride in showing up for my team, ensuring they are supported, protected, and positioned to succeed. Those challenges stretch me, but they are also what keep me grounded in purpose and faith.
We’ve been impressed with Anomalía Beauty Society , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Anomalía Beauty Society is a Latina-owned, faith-led salon and creative community built on inclusivity, excellence, and intention. From the beginning, I was very clear about the kind of space I wanted to create. I wanted it to feel luxurious and elevated, but still warm, grounded, and approachable. I wanted people to experience something upscale without the intimidation, exclusivity, or pretentiousness that often comes with traditional high-end salons.
As a minority, it was important to me to challenge the idea that luxury and accessibility cannot coexist. I wanted to offer a beautiful, refined environment without compromising education for stylists or outcomes for clients. Too often, people feel forced to choose between two extremes. Either they go to a “nice” salon where their hair type is not fully understood or respected, or they go to a place that can achieve the results they want but lacks the experience, care, and environment they deserve. I wanted to eliminate that trade-off completely.
We are known for delivering transformative hair results in a healthy, intentional way, with a strong specialization in blonding and major transformations on dark-haired clients. Our team is highly educated, constantly evolving, and committed to excellence. Education is not optional here. It is a cornerstone of how we operate, and it allows us to serve a wide range of hair types with confidence, skill, and respect.
Our faith shapes how we lead, but our doors are open to everyone. While everyone may not share my personal beliefs, the way we operate reflects them through love, integrity, and service. We believe we are called to serve people well, regardless of background, belief, or identity. Our team and clientele are diverse, and that diversity is intentional and celebrated.
What I am most proud of brand-wise is the balance we have created. We have built a space that feels elevated yet welcoming, refined yet real. It is a place where people can feel taken care of without feeling judged, and where stylists can grow without feeling limited. Everything we offer, from our services to our culture, is designed to reflect excellence, inclusivity, and purpose.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest advice is to stop waiting for a mentor to appear and start being intentional about who you learn from. Early on, I did not have a mentor, so I had to piece things together through observation, education, and experience. That season taught me that mentorship does not always come in the traditional form of someone taking you under their wing.
Look for people who are already doing what you want to do and whose values align with the life and career you are trying to build. Pay attention to how they move, how they handle challenges, and how they treat others. A lot can be learned through proximity, humility, and consistent effort, even if the relationship is not formal.
Be willing to invest in mentorship. Sometimes that means paying for education or access to rooms that stretch you. Mentorship requires discipline, teachability, and patience, not entitlement. Ask questions, listen more than you speak, and apply what you learn.
Because I did not have that guidance early on, I am intentional about offering mentorship now. I created a pathway within my business to help bridge the gap for stylists who feel overlooked, under-supported, or unsure of how to grow in this industry. My heart is to provide direction, education, and real-world insight so others do not have to navigate the journey alone.
Mentors often come in seasons. Pray for discernment, trust the process, and remember that the goal is not to become someone else, but to grow into who you are called to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Anomaliasociety.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Anomaliasociety
- Facebook: Anomaliasociety
