Daily Inspiration: Meet Anthony Owen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Owen.

Hi Anthony, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Raised in Atlanta and originally from Decatur, Anthony Owen attended DeKalb School of the Arts, where he studied ballet along with scenic and lighting design. His early career was rooted in performance and visual storytelling, dancing professionally for more than 15 years with companies including Royal Caribbean Productions and acclaimed Atlanta theaters such as the Alliance Theatre, Aurora Theatre, and Actor’s Express.

After years of performing, injuries and life transitions led Anthony toward a new creative chapter. He enrolled in cosmetology school and completed the program in just nine months before beginning his career in a well-known Buckhead salon, where he spent six years refining both his technical skills and artistic voice.

During that time, Anthony began working extensively with Wella Professionals, the color line he continues to use today. Dedicated to mastering his craft, he invested in advanced education around the world and became a Certified Color Expert through Wella Professionals. His approach to hair is deeply influenced by his background in dance and visual design, viewing hair not simply as beauty, but as shape, movement, balance, and personal expression.

Anthony specializes in balayage, a freehand painting technique that allows complete artistic control over light, dimension, and placement. Today, he works from an intimate studio space in the Roswell and Alpharetta area, offering a highly personalized one-on-one experience where every appointment is tailored to the individual client. His philosophy centers on intentional artistry, thoughtful consultation, and creating hair that feels as natural and unique as the person wearing it.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
What’s a “smooth road” lol Since grade school, Anthony has lived with dyslexia, a learning disability that made traditional academic work challenging. While bookwork often required extra effort, he discovered early on that his mind thrived through tactile and hands-on creative work. Detailed, repetitive, and highly technical processes became a place of deep focus and calm, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the artistry and rhythm of the procedure itself.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Anthony hesitates to say he “specializes” in any one thing because, as an artist, he believes in using every crayon in the box. Creativity should never feel boxed in or overly formulaic, and he approaches each client as an individual rather than forcing them into a single aesthetic or technique. What matters most to him is creating something that feels authentic to the person sitting in his chair.

What he loves most about this work is the moment a client looks in the mirror, takes a deep breath, and truly likes what they see looking back at them. For Anthony, there is no greater reward than helping someone reconnect with their confidence, identity, and sense of self.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
What Anthony would suggest to anyone entering the beauty industry is simple: do your homework and set clear intentions for yourself early. The beauty industry can be an incredible place filled with artistry, connection, and opportunity, but it can also contain a great deal of predatory behavior beneath the surface.

Over the years, he has seen talented and well-meaning people taken advantage of through restrictive noncompete agreements, intimidating nondisclosure agreements, and work environments that ultimately limited their growth instead of nurturing it. Just because a salon looks bright, polished, and exciting on the outside does not always mean the foundation underneath is healthy. Sometimes the underbelly has barnacles you were never warned about.

Ask questions. Read everything carefully. Trust your instincts. A beautiful space means very little if it comes at the cost of your peace, creativity, or future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://AnthonyOwenSalon.com
• Instagram: AnthonyOwenSalon
• Facebook: Anthony Owen Salon