All in the Details: Student Ambassador Anthony Santoro Jr. Uses BS in Psychology to Build a Business

Folks who know Anthony Santoro Jr. can attest to one fact: He’s entirely focused on the details. As a kid, he spent hours at a time attempting to land a kickflip on his skateboard. Just prior to the pandemic, the first-generation college student from Billerica found his way back to the classroom at Middlesex Community College to study psychology. During lockdown, he started a side hustle after stumbling upon a self-described ‘Disaster [car] Detailing Specialist’ (@stauffergarage) on TikTok. “The complete transformation of each vehicle blew my mind,” recalls Santoro who understands firsthand the power of personal transformation. Following a short stint in jail while awaiting trial as a young adult, Santoro was court-ordered to attend therapy upon his release—an experience that changed his life’s trajectory.

“My therapist was the first and only person I really wanted to open up to and share my story with,” says Santoro, pointing to Leo J. Adle, LMHC, LPC. The two built a strong rapport and, once the required year was up, Santoro elected to continue his sessions with Adle. Following an insurance-induced break, the pair reconnected in the midst of Santoro’s studies—which is when he learned Adle was a 2015 graduate of the Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at William James College. 

 “I trusted Leo wholeheartedly and, considering my progress during our work together,  I knew he was the kind of professional I wanted to emulate,” says Santoro who immediately put the College on his vision board. In September 2022, with a merit scholarship covering 50% of tuition, he enrolled in the bachelor’s completion program.

 “Life happened, and landing at William James College felt like I was coming home,” says Santoro who attributes much of his success to the supportive albeit demanding faculty he met along the way. He credits Dr. Kerri Augusto, who plays by the rules and does not take shortcuts, with inspiring his attention to the small stuff. “She helped me to be super thorough in my work and reminded me of the importance of double-checking every last detail,” says the already meticulous Santoro. The many papers penned for Michael J. Peters allowed Santoro to strike a balance between formal diction and lighthearted humor while covering up a ‘wicked Boston accent’ in the process.

These days, the 2025 graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Services program is at the helm of Monster Detail Boston (Billerica’s #1 mobile car detailing service), and he’s putting his education to work on a daily basis—cultivating customer relationships, building rapport, and listening to client needs.

“Whether in the therapy room or when dealing with customers, it’s important to remove emotions and remain as professional as possible,” says Santoro. To date, this approach has led to strong client relationships, with many feeling at ease approaching Santoro and working together on solutions—evidenced by a wealth of five-star reviews." To date, this approach has translated to clients who are comfortable approaching Santoro and working with him to find solutions as evidenced by countless five-star reviews.

On the eve of graduation, things have come full circle for Santoro. Five years ago, he charged his first paying customer $50 to detail his truck in between deliveries at a local pizza shop. In early May, that same customer finished the full build out of Santoro’s brand-new mobile detailing van complete with hose reels and a 100-gallon water tank. 

“When I set my mind to achieving something, I do it,” says Santoro who, recalling the moments after mastering a skateboard trick, is relishing all he’s accomplished. Since completing his degree requirements in December 2024, Santoro has been simultaneously unwinding from the demands of coursework while aggressively scaling his business, a line prone to becoming blurred.

“I consistently use what I learned in the classroom—about persuasion and motivational interviewing, for instance—to increase sales, and business is booming,” says Santoro, who is letting it all sink in. Last spring, he was inducted into Psi Chi (the International Honor Society in Psychology). This spring, he’s reflecting on his journey to date. 

“I have stayed committed to my education and am thrilled to have some accolades to show for it,” says Santoro, who emphasizes that he could not have done it alone. His parents and girlfriend, Caroline, will be among the crowd on June 8, when he receives his diploma. And still, he’s far from done. Santoro’s big-picture goal includes returning to William James College  to pursue his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. 

“I promise you, I am going to use my degree,” says Santoro who aspires to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and use his own lived experience to help others conquer the struggles of daily living.

“In business as in therapy, the goal is to meet the client where they are and avoid offering a strategy, technique, or tool they don't find valuable. Achieving that requires being fully present," says Santoro, underscoring the foundation of his current business and life plan:  building trust with others.

“There will always be doubters, but the biggest risk is not taking any,” he says, offering words of encouragement to others contemplating their next steps. “If you believe in yourself, and do what you love, you will find a way to succeed.”

• Tags:
• In the Community