Empire Beauty School graduate Elizabeth Strong has built a 27-year career that has taken her from the salon floor to New York Fashion Week.
A 1998 graduate of Empire Beauty School in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth is the owner of Elizabeth Anthony Salon in Allentown. Named after her son, Anthony, the salon celebrated 23 years in business in March of 2026.
Elizabeth is also a master colorist, celebrity stylist, makeup artist, published hairstylist and entrepreneur with her own custom makeup brush collection. Her work includes runway shows, photoshoots, magazine shoots, movie sets and local productions.
Her credits include New York Fashion Week The Shows, International Fashion and Arts Week, Bronx Fashion Week, Fashion on the Hudson and Lehigh Valley Fashion Week. She has styled at venues including the Brooklyn Museum and Madison Square Garden, and her work has appeared in publications in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
She has also been recognized as a Lehigh Valley Style Magazine “Woman of Style,” received the Lehigh Valley Golden Latin Award for Salon of the Year and served as a judge for several beauty pageants. Beyond her work in beauty, Elizabeth gives back by mentoring women and girls and serving local nonprofit organizations.
Click here to watch Elizabeth’s interview with us.
Where Her Beauty Career Began
Elizabeth’s journey started when her mother encouraged her to attend an Empire Beauty School open house.
“My mom saw there was an open house at Empire and she encouraged me to go. I thought it was incredible, I signed up as soon as I graduated high school.”
Elizabeth became pregnant during beauty school and missed her graduation ceremony because her son was born that same day. As a single mother beginning her career, she was determined to create a better future for her family.
“My son, Anthony, has always been my inspiration. I named Elizabeth Anthony Salon after him because I wanted him to see me succeed. All these years later, he can see that I did.”
Elizabeth credits her Empire educators with teaching her the importance of continuing education, time management and staying motivated throughout her career.
Reaching New York Fashion Week
Styling hair at New York Fashion Week was one of Elizabeth’s longtime goals. Early in her career, she worried that becoming a single mother meant the dream was no longer possible.
Years later, while working at Lehigh Valley Fashion Week, Elizabeth connected with someone who invited her to style her hair in New York. During the appointment, the client mentioned that she would soon be attending New York Fashion Week. Elizabeth asked if she could join her, and photos of Elizabeth’s work were sent to the show’s producer. When the scheduled hairstylist canceled at the last minute, Elizabeth received the opportunity she had dreamed about: styling all of the show’s runway models at the Brooklyn Museum during New York Fashion Week.
The photos from that experience helped her continue booking the New York Fashion Show year after year.
Lessons From 23 Years as a Salon Owner
Building a salon that has remained in business for more than two decades has required Elizabeth to navigate uncertainty, make difficult decisions and remain focused on her goals.
“Our business ebs and flows, it is not consistent. Every day is different, your income is always different. You have to make all of the decisions, good or bad. If someone is upset, you can’t pass them off to someone else. You’re going to have bad days. You have to persevere and keep your end goal in mind.”
For Elizabeth, the challenges are balanced by the opportunity to help people feel confident and build meaningful connections with her clients.
“I love making people feel beautiful inside and out. It is not going to be easy, we are hands-on with the public every day. We can’t make everyone happy, but I try my best. I love having close relationships with clients and hearing about their lives.”
Returning to Empire Beauty School
In August 2026, Elizabeth returned to the Empire Beauty School in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, where her journey began, to deliver a motivational talk to current students.
Her presentation focused on three principles that have guided her career: determination, motivation and inspiration. She discussed the importance of surrounding yourself with positivity and people who want to see you win.
Elizabeth asked students to identify three long-term goals, three short-term goals and one action they could take the following day to move closer to a goal. She also emphasized building a strong social media presence because potential clients often look at a beauty professional’s social media before anything else.
The visit concluded with mock client consultations. Elizabeth demonstrated the difference between a poor consultation and an effective one, with students participating in the exercise.
“My time at Empire Beauty School started everything for me. I have the opportunity to do motivational classes at the school, which is great. My education at Empire was phenomenal. I never would’ve imagined where my life would go. I owe it all to the beauty business and a big part of that, to Empire Beauty School.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
After 27 years in the beauty industry, Elizabeth’s career has grown far beyond what she imagined as a beauty school student.
“I would tell my younger self, you would never believe all of the places the beauty industry has taken you.”
She hopes her story encourages future beauty professionals to recognize how far their education, talent and determination can take them.
“You can go as far as you want in this industry, you hold the power. I wasn’t born into a family that handed me everything. I worked hard for everything I had, it was worth it. I hope to inspire others with my story.”
“I love this life I get to live.”
Inspired by Elizabeth’s journey? Learn more about training at Empire Beauty School and discover where a career in beauty could take you.