Talia Agostinello-Burrows

I personally love getting my hair done and being pampered for an event. When you can tell someone your hair vision and they can bring it to life, it’s so satisfying. This next girl boss is an amazing hairstylist with the cutest new salon in Valatie, NY. She has done several of my friend’s weddings and always makes everyone look so stunning. I mean, the pictures show for it! So, let’s learn more about Talia, her business and how her hard work and talents led her to be a complete and total girl boss.

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When I’m not a the salon or on location providing bridal services you can find me reading a murder mystery or watching dateline, who doesn’t love a good murder mystery!?

Tell us more about your business and how you became a Girl Boss.
Growing up I always thought I had to “have a career and go to college” but I had no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I went through the cosmetology program at Questar while I was a junior and senior in high school and I LOVED it!  Making other people feel good about themselves was intoxicating.  I started working in a day spa before I had even graduated high school and people would say “oh, what a great hobby”, “that’s so great you can do hair while going to college”, and “what do you want to be when you grow up?”, as if being a hairstylist couldn’t be the end goal. 

After many years of working for other people and struggling with that internal nagging of “what do I want to be when I grow up?”, I had an opportunity presented to me last year to purchase a building and build thallo hair studio.  I wanted to build a space that felt like home to everyone who walked through the door; someplace where my clients, friends, family, and industry peers could come to create, relax, and be pampered.  I wanted my kids to be proud of me and to see that if you work for your dreams and goals those dreams and goals can become so much more! Luckily my dad is always looking for a new investment opportunity and I convinced him that I could make something amazing with his help.  For anyone who has walked into thallo you know how beautiful and light the space is. While I was the creative mastermind, my dad is the one who did all of the construction with the help of my husband, father-in-law and some friends.

What does it mean to you to be a #GIRLBOSS?
To me, being a #girlboss means showing up, for yourself, your family, and your community.  That motivation to make something bigger than yourself that leaves behind a better a place to live, teach, and grow. I think a girlboss is a motivator, cheerleader, and supporter of others.  She is someone who anyone can look up to as a role model.

What do you love most about running your own business and being a Girl Boss?
I love that owning thallo hair studio has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people while still being present for my family and myself.  I love that being a business owner has opened up a new conversation of following dreams with my children.  Everyday that I unlock the front door I have this overwhelming moment of “holy sh*t, I did this!”  

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in being a business owner?
I started a business during COVID shut downs… that was a HUGE challenge.  I threw my entire being, savings, and sanity into creating something I wasn’t even sure would come to fruition as every bit of our lives as we knew it came to a screeching halt with what felt like no end in sight. I wouldn’t change a second of this wild and crazy ride that I got on almost two years ago, because being a business owner was something I only dreamed about, never thinking it could be a reality.  I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to make my dreams come true with such a strong support system behind me.

Is there a moment during your career that stands out to you and validates your decision to become a Girl Boss?
Honestly COVID was such a blessing to me.  It gave me this opportunity to take a step back and really dive deep into what I wanted for myself and my family, who I was and what was truly important to me.  I pulled my kids from public school and began our year and a half long homeschool journey, I began to think if I can do this I can do anything! 

What advice would you give to aspiring Girl Bosses?
TAKE THE LEAP! If you think for one second that you can bring something to the table that inspires you, moves you, makes you feel alive; you have to go for it!  There will always be doubt, that’s natural but the end result is so much more than you could ever plan for.